Rick Brunson Has Surprising Take on Greatest Knicks Player Ever Argument

Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973 on Saturday night, scoring 45 points in a Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Brunson was named Finals MVP after averaging an astounding 32.6 points per game as the Knicks mounted a 4-1 series victory.

Brunson, a three-time All-Star, led the Knicks to the pinnacle of NBA achievement in his fourth year as the team’s starting point guard. New York cruised through the 2026 playoffs with Brunson at the helm, going 16-3 and mounting a 13-game win streak - including back-to-back series sweeps over the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Some fans and analysts are already crowning Brunson as the greatest Knicks player of all time. But his father/assistant coach/former New York player, Rick Brunson, pumped the brakes on that declaration following Saturday night’s win.

“I’m going to stop the argument, too. No disrespect. I love my son. Patrick Ewing is the greatest Knick that I’ve ever witnessed,” the elder Brunson told “Inside The NBA” postgame.

More Basketball:Landry Shamet Delivers ‘Generationally Great' Message About Jalen Brunson

Ewing spent 15 years as center for the Knicks, notching 11 All-Star selections during his time in New York. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in many categories, including games played, points, field goals and rebounds.

Ewing made two trips to the NBA Finals during his 15-year career with the Knicks, losing to the Houston Rockets in 1994 and the Spurs in 1999. He missed the entire 1999 NBA Finals with a season-ending injury suffered in the Eastern Conference Finals.

More Basketball:Knicks' Josh Hart Has Clear Request After NBA Finals Victory

While Brunson isn’t ready to recognize his son as the greatest Knicks player to ever do it, it’s certainly up for debate after this year’s historic championship run.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 6:01 PM.