Jalen Brunson Picks NBA Champions’ Brains

Jalen Brunson enjoyed hoops with members of his former team, the Dallas Mavericks. The New York Knicks All-NBA guard joined the Kyrie Irving-led festivities with new Mavs star Klay Thompson along for the ride as well.

Although Thompson didn't participate in Irving’s More Than a Run Pro Run, he took the time to shoot around with the All-Star guards. However, Brunson took advantage of the Pro Run, where multiple defensive wings took part.

Golden State Warriors’ Kyle Anderson, Portland Trail Blazers’ Jerami Grant and Torrey Craig presented Brunson with compelling challenges.

Irving’s More Than a Run lives up to the name. The games is played with a higher basketball IQ. While one-on-one sequences naturally occurred  there were plenty instances of swinging of the ball.

The Irving and Brunson dynamic makes for an intriguing day of hoops. Although Irving didn't immediately “replace” Brunson, the Mavs enjoyed a run to the 2024 NBA Finals courtesy of the former Brooklyn Nets point guard.

The Knicks look to make the same leap after an active offseason that included the trade for Mikal Bridges and re-signing of OG Anunoby. Following an embarrassing Game 7 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks are starving for more playoff success.

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Perhaps Brunson received valuable advice from the 2016 NBA champion Irving.

Although the competitive basketball seems like the highlight of his day, Brunson made time to play competitive open-run basketball before heading to the Philadelphia Eagles' game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football.