NBA Finals: Jalen Brunson Leads Knicks' Way: "It All Starts With Controlling What I Can Control"

Jalen Brunson spoke at New York Knicks practice following the team's victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against San Antonio Spurs. The point guard discussed his shot volume, Karl-Anthony Towns' defense, the team's growth under Mike Brown, Josh Hart's relentless impact, and a philosophy driving the squad: continuous improvement possession by possession, even after winning.

Q. Last night you took more shots than at any other point in this postseason. At what moment did you realize you were going to have that kind of offensive freedom, and what did you see in their defense based on how they were guarding you?

JALEN BRUNSON: I saw a lot of different things. I think I made some shots I normally make. I also had a couple of bad shots.

It's all about how you move forward, how you respond in a positive way. No matter what's happening, it's about trying to stay positive and keep finding ways to win.

Q. You haven't always been the best player on the teams you've been on. You probably have a perspective on being in different roles. This season, with the emphasis on developing the bench, how did you approach it as a leader—the interaction and integration to make sure everyone stayed committed and involved with the new dynamic?

JALEN BRUNSON: Yeah, obviously talking, talking constantly. Also trying to lead by example.

I can't take too much credit for that, because we have a lot of guys on this team who are really gym rats. They get in the gym, they do the work. Even on days off, it's not a day off for them. Everybody finds a way to keep improving during the season.

They just know that when they're called upon, they're going to be ready. That speaks to the character of the guys on this team. Whatever happens, they're going to be ready to compete.

Q. What personal lesson do you take from your first Finals game?

JALEN BRUNSON: I think being able to control what I can control. Like I said, you never really know what's going to happen during a game. It's all about how you can be better on the next possession, how you can find a way to impact when things aren't going well. Controlling what you can control I think is something important.

Q. The defense KAT has been playing throughout the playoffs—did you always think he was capable of defending like that? Have you seen him take it to another level these last few months?

JALEN BRUNSON: I think it's both. He's definitely capable. Throughout this run, obviously he's been playing really well. It's crazy to say, but we can all be better.

I think KAT is defending knowing that we have his back, no matter what, whether he's defending the ball or off the ball. Being able to have each other's backs, even when there are mistakes, it's not about pointing fingers, it's about coming together and figuring out what we need to do better on the next possession.

I think the chemistry we have keeps growing. That allows us to play better.

Q. With Coach Brown, given the nature of how he was hired—the Thibs move was a surprise to a lot of people. Mike came in and it seemed like in the first few months there was a lot of trust to build. Going from that to what we've seen these last three weeks… How would you explain the growth of that relationship?

JALEN BRUNSON: Yeah, I think, like all things, things take time. I think what's most important, though, is that we knew we had to improve every day, every day. In the world we live in now, everybody wants things instantly. So from our perspective, it's just about improving every day, keep chipping away, keep chipping away, be 1% better.

When you take steps back, how can you improve? It's always about how can you improve, how can you improve. Having that mentality, that focus, and that way of approaching it I think allows us to keep being students of the game and keep finding ways to learn, even through wins. And I think we have to keep doing that.

Q. There were several plays yesterday where they ran that horns set and you had to tag Wemby really high when he was continuing to the rim. What's the art of making that help contact on a player when there's such a height difference?

JALEN BRUNSON: Just trying to be strong. Trying to give my teammate a chance to recover. We just try to find ways to help each other.

Like I said before, we have each other's backs. When things aren't going well, we hold each other accountable and find a way to do it better next time.

Q. When shots are going and coming for a team, how much is Josh's energy a kind of constant for you? Seeing him yesterday against a player who has almost a foot on him and end up with 15 rebounds—does that ever surprise you?

JALEN BRUNSON: It doesn't surprise me. I learned that's just what he is. I mean, he was our leading rebounder in college for, I think, my last two years, or something like that. Or his last two years. That's just what he is.

Yeah, his energy is relentless, it doesn't stop. I mean, he eats candy all the time. That tells you who he is. He's a big kid with an absurd amount of energy.

Q. When you're on the road in the playoffs and you're at the free throw line, you hear Knicks fans chanting "MVP" and you get constant support on the road from those fans. Does that have a tangible effect on your energy? If so, how?

JALEN BRUNSON: It's very much appreciated. It's something you don't really think about in the moment. Like I've said before, our fans are incredible. My family and I have felt the love from day one. They've done nothing but support us. Honestly, I would never take them for granted.

Q. I know you're focused on tomorrow, but you know New York is going crazy with everything you guys are doing. Ticket prices have been ridiculous. Last night, after you won, they went up a lot more. There was a report saying that in the back row of the Garden there are seats for sale for $7,500. What show would you pay that amount of money to go see?

JALEN BRUNSON: That's a good question. A live performance by Michael Jackson. That's a good one. That's a good one.