There are players who feel the need to take a complete break between two NBA seasons, and this occasionally causes absences in international competitions. And then there are those, like Jalen Brunsonwho rush headlong, especially when the opportunity presents itself for the first time as is the case of the New York leader, who is about to play his first World Cup.
In this case, Jalen Brunson has done everything to be able to answer the call of Team USA, despite a season foot on the floor until the semi-finals of the conference with the Knicks.
His summer rest period has been considerably shortened as he resumed training with the selection this week. But for him, the game is certainly worth the effort and it will have the first advantage of allowing him to arrive in top form for the start of the training camp in New York.
“I think it’s a different way to prepare for training camp”, did he declare. “You have to look at things in a positive way, in view of the NBA season. I know I’ll be ready for it.”
Full of experience
While he could be propelled to the starting point of Steve Kerr’s five majors and his leadership qualities are already being praised, Josh Hart’s teammate also knows that this experience will make him a better player, no matter what, and that it was therefore important not to let this opportunity slip away.
“It means a lot to me”he added. “This opportunity doesn’t come around often. Very few people have this opportunity. I’m honored and I’m totally into it. I just want to do the best I can. Be myself, don’t overdo it, get out there and lead the way. Just play and try to go for the gold”.
With leaders like Jalen Burnson, Josh Hart and Julius Randle, the Knicks have finally gotten their hands on character players who finally stick to the identity of this legendary franchise. The first two will thus return from the World Cup pumped up while the third will be back at 100% after an ankle operation in June. It promises !
| Jalen Brunson | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | DAL | 73 | 22 | 46.7 | 34.8 | 72.5 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 9.3 |
| 2019-20 | DAL | 57 | 18 | 46.6 | 35.8 | 81.3 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 8.2 |
| 2020-21 | DAL | 68 | 25 | 52.3 | 40.5 | 79.5 | 0.4 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 12.6 |
| 2021-22 | DAL | 79 | 32 | 50.2 | 37.3 | 84.0 | 0.5 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 16.3 |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 68 | 35 | 49.1 | 41.6 | 82.9 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 24.0 |
| Total | 345 | 27 | 49.3 | 38.6 | 81.2 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 14.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
