NBA Finals: Brunson Stays Grounded Amid New York Euphoria: "Still a Lot of Work to Do"

Jalen Brunson addressed the New York Knicks at practice before Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, delivering a measured message amid the city's excitement. The point guard discussed the Finals' return to Madison Square Garden, the team's construction under Leon Rose, the Kobe Bryant mentality he's adopted, and the need to correct mistakes despite the 2-0 series lead.

Q. Jalen, you obviously know Leon for a long time. He doesn't talk too much about the process of building this team.

JALEN BRUNSON: Who did you say?

Q. Leon Rose. From your perspective, the connection both on the court and in personalities, what do you see about his basketball philosophy, looking back, that has been reflected in the formation of this group?

JALEN BRUNSON: I think he has a great mind for basketball. I also think he surrounds himself with good people. The way he's been able to do this, especially here, with all the scrutiny that people put on him and all that, I think his way of going about his work is at the level of anyone.

For the time I've known him, basically my whole life, he's always been like that. Always willing to help, always willing to seek the best possible outcome. That's just what he is.

Q. People want to know how New York looks right now. Normally you wouldn't be here on a practice day. Are you looking around? Do you perceive any of that? Will you try to look or not until it's all over?

JALEN BRUNSON: Not until it's over [smiles].

Q. Do you let your family come watch, your friends?

JALEN BRUNSON: They can do whatever they want.

Q. We know how much Kobe Bryant's legacy means to you. Have you been able to watch his NBA Finals performances recently? Do you take any mental focus techniques from him?

JALEN BRUNSON: I haven't watched anything recently.

I think the way I conduct myself, the way I do things, is a credit to how my parents raised me. But also part of his philosophy I think filters into the Mamba mentality. So there's a connection there.

I do everything I can to stay present in the moment, to do the things I can to make sure my mind is in the right place. To be mentally and physically prepared every day. To trust my work. That's what has brought me here.

So there's a connection with that, but no, I haven't watched anything.

Q. The end of Game 2 was crazy. When you watch the video, what do you need to clean up to be ready for Game 3?

JALEN BRUNSON: I think playing better with the lead we had, that 14-point lead. The way they fought back to get ahead speaks to how good they are.

Maintaining composure helped us win that game. But we need to be able to close out better. It was unacceptable the way we obviously let that 14-point lead slip away like we did.

Q. Going back to the end of the series against the Pacers last year, when you walk off the court, how close did you think this group was to this moment? Obviously there's been a coaching change, but outside of that the roster is largely the same. What did it mean to you as a group to have the opportunity to do this?

JALEN BRUNSON: Yes, obviously the way last year ended, we thought we had an opportunity. The best team won. I think the most important thing is that every year is a new journey, every year is a new season, a new way to grow as a team.

I think the way we learn, the way we grow as a team every day, has brought us to this moment, but it's not something to just be happy about. There's still a lot of work to do. We understand that. We have to understand that we still need to keep learning, keep improving even after wins. There are so many things we can do better. Just keep having that mentality.

Q. When a player like you falls to the second round of the draft, a lot of people overlooked something about you. When you think about your draft process, what do you think was underestimated, what wasn't seen in you?

JALEN BRUNSON: Everything [smiles].

Q. I know you maybe still aren't looking around, but what do you think it means for this fanbase to have Finals in this building?

JALEN BRUNSON: I think it's really special. It's been 27 years since the last Finals here, in this building. I know the fans are very excited, as they should be.

But as a team, we in the locker room have more work to do.

Q. There's a video after you sealed the Finals berth, with everyone celebrating. You were sitting there, extremely focused. You've been like that throughout these Finals. It doesn't seem like you allow yourself to enjoy any success, that you're always focused on what's next. Where does that come from?

JALEN BRUNSON: Well, in that video I was actually icing. I had my feet in a tub and I was icing my knees. I didn't even want to get up.

But in my mind there's really nothing to celebrate yet. There's still a lot of work to do.

Q. Obviously you have experience in this building from the Big East and with the Mavericks. For someone who's never experienced it, describe what it's like to be a local star in this building.

JALEN BRUNSON: I've always said this, and I've felt the amount of love I've received from this fanbase and this city from day one. I think it's grown over the years, but I'm very grateful, I feel very honored to wear "New York" on my chest.

I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything in the world.