Kobe Bryant Comparisons Made for Knicks Star Jalen Brunson
The Los Angeles Lakers’ season came to an abrupt end a few weeks ago, when they were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was clear that the Lakers were the inferior team, and they still have a long way to go before they can be considered contenders for next season and beyond.
In the meantime, the 2025 playoffs have been worth watching, with a new champion likely to be crowned once again. One of the standout teams has been the New York Knicks, who have had a stellar playoff run thanks to their star guard, Jalen Brunson. Brunson has been playing out of his mind, leading the Knicks’ charge to their first title in over 50 years.
According to former NBA All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas, Brunson’s closing ability is reminiscent of Lakers and NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Arenas appeared on the All The Smoke podcast and had high praise for the 28-year-old guard. "Brunson has a skill set that is only given to certain type of men. Jordan had it, Kobe had it," said Arenas, as reported by SI.com.
"I think Brunson, mentally, is the closest thing to what Kobe was in a fourth quarter. No matter what happens, he can be 0 for 20; in the last five minutes you already know, everything went out the window. It is different. He’s gonna go four for five. He’s gonna put the team on his back. And it’s hard to find that skill, right. And he’s a guy who has it," Arenas added, as quoted by SI.com.
The former Villanova Wildcat is proving himself to be not only an elite player but also one of the best players in the league today. His playoff numbers tell the story, with Brunson averaging 30.1 points per game in 10 playoff games prior to Wednesday’s Game 5, along with 8.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.5 steals while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three in 40.1 minutes of action.
Bryant was renowned for his ability to take over games in the fourth quarter, and Brunson is displaying a similar mentality, which is translating into results on the court. As SI.com reports, Brunson’s impressive playoff performance has drawn comparisons to Bryant’s legendary career.
The Knicks’ success in the playoffs has been largely due to Brunson’s impressive form, and it will be interesting to see how he continues to perform in the coming games. As reported by SI.com, Arenas’ comments highlight Brunson’s unique ability to take over games and lead his team to victory.
In related news, the Lakers are looking to rebuild and strengthen their team for next season. For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.
