So with outside noise growing louder about Thibodeau potentially coaching for his job in the playoffs, Brunson strongly backed his coach. “He means a lot,” Brunson said after practice on Friday. “Individually, he’s meant a lot to my career. He’s meant a decent amount to [Karl-Anthony Towns], coaching KAT in Minnesota and here. There’s a lot of players who can say they’ve definitely benefited from Tom Thibodeau in his career. “But I think as a team, we’re always in a position where we can compete in the postseason, since I’ve been here. He’s very prepared, he’s a very prepared individual. He’s done a lot for my career, so I’m always going to be a supporter. Always. Even when he annoys me, always.”
Source: New York Post
Source: New York Post
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While sidelined, Brunson took it upon himself to help build up a rookie on the roster. In a March 26 home loss to the Clippers, rookie point guard Tyler Kolek played the entire third quarter before getting benched for the fourth. After Kolek came out of the game, Brunson sat next to the young point guard and gave words of encouragement and advice. For Kolek, Brunson’s support has gone a long way. “It’s always good to pick his brain,” Kolek told The Athletic. “He’s been in similar situations, thrust into whatever roles he’s asked to do, and he did a great job. Any question I have, he’s always there for me to answer. “He’s definitely taken me under his wing. That’s my vet. I guess you could call him a vet now. He takes me to dinner, on the road hanging out. He shows me how to be a professional. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s really all about. The on-court stuff is the on-court stuff, but the off-court stuff is really more important. How to carry yourself. How to be a man.” -via New York Times / April 18, 2025
With how ball-dominant Brunson is, Hart recognizes his value as a needed facilitator to get the ball to Anunoby, Towns and Bridges. “I know the shots are gonna be there, but I also want to make sure we get those guys involved offensively,” Hart said. “Because the ball has energy, and when guys are making shots, the energy is better in terms of communications, in terms of defensive effort, those kinds of things. I’m obviously gonna shoot the shots that I have to take and I’m comfortable taking, but also gonna make sure I help get other guys touches.” -via New York Post / April 16, 2025
If that league is up and running by the time you’re knocking on retirement’s door, and it’s like, you know—Paris or London—would you go play another year or two over there if it’s between that and retiring?” Josh Hart: “No.” Jalen Brunson: “I hope it would be something where like, it’s like Champions League. Yeah, where it’s not like—it’s a legit league where you’ve got to go and play games over there. But like, towards the end of the season, you qualify—like the in-season tournament—you qualify, and then you can go play in a week or two worth of games. That’s what I would hope. -via YouTube / April 12, 2025