Jalen Brunson has spent years proving that superstar status is not reserved for the biggest names, the flashiest athletes or the players who dominate social media. Now, after leading the New York Knicks to an NBA championship, he is receiving recognition that could take his career to another level.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has given Brunson major praise while discussing who could become the face of the league in its next era. And coming from the man who oversees the NBA, those words carry weight, especially as basketball prepares for the eventual transition beyond its longtime icons.
But here is the interesting part: Brunson is not the only superstar in the conversation. Victor Wembanyama and other elite talents have strong cases, meaning the debate over who should represent the NBA is only getting started.
Adam Silver Makes His Feelings Clear About Jalen Brunson
Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show ahead of the Knicks’ season opener, Silver was asked about the players who could become the leading faces of the NBA.
His response immediately put Brunson in the spotlight.
“It’s hard not to start with Jalen Brunson,” Silver said.
The commissioner then highlighted the point guard’s remarkable journey, explaining: “Here’s a guy who was a second-round pick, was picked up as a free agent from Dallas, and nobody talked about him as the next superstar in the league, but look at how he’s led that team to a championship.”
That is what makes Brunson’s rise so compelling. He was not universally viewed as a future franchise-changing superstar when he entered the league, but his performances in New York have transformed that conversation.
Why Brunson Has Earned This Recognition
Brunson’s story is a reminder that the NBA does not always get its biggest stars right on the first attempt.
Selected 33rd overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft, he spent his first four seasons developing into a dependable guard before signing with the Knicks in 2022. That move proved to be a turning point for both the player and the franchise.
In New York, Brunson became much more than a talented scorer. He emerged as the team’s offensive leader, the player trusted to take responsibility in crucial moments and the central figure in the Knicks’ return to championship contention.
His 2025–26 regular season was another demonstration of his quality. Brunson averaged 26.0 points, 6.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game, shooting 47% from the field, 37% from three-point range and 84% from the free-throw line.
Those numbers tell an impressive story, but statistics alone do not explain why Knicks supporters have become so attached to him.
Brunson plays with a combination of patience, toughness and confidence that makes him particularly dangerous late in games. He can create space without relying on overwhelming athleticism, manipulate defenders with his footwork and find scoring opportunities when an opposing defense appears to have everything covered.
For a team carrying the expectations of New York, that mentality is invaluable.
The Championship That Changed Everything
The strongest argument for Brunson’s growing reputation is what he achieved in the playoffs.
The Knicks captured the 2026 NBA championship after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals, ending a 53-year wait for another title. Brunson was named Finals MVP after delivering a series that confirmed his status among basketball’s elite performers.
He averaged 28.4 points per game during the championship postseason, taking his scoring and leadership to another level when the stakes were highest.
That matters when discussing the face of the NBA because fans want more than spectacular highlights. They want players who can carry a team through difficult stretches, deliver under pressure and ultimately compete for the biggest prizes.
Brunson has now demonstrated that ability on the biggest stage.
Of course, it would be unfair to suggest he won the championship alone. Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and the rest of the Knicks roster played important roles in the team’s success.
However, every championship team needs a player who can take control when a game becomes uncomfortable. Brunson repeatedly showed why New York trusts him with that responsibility.
And that is precisely why Silver’s comments deserve attention.
Victor Wembanyama Is Also in the Conversation
Silver’s praise was not limited to Brunson. He also highlighted San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, recognising the extraordinary potential of the young French superstar.
“It’s hard not to start with Jalen Brunson,” Silver said before turning his attention to the Spurs’ centre. “Victor Wembanyama. People keep saying he’s still getting taller. I don’t know if that’s possible, but he’s an incredible player.”
Wembanyama represents a very different kind of superstar.
His unusual combination of height, shooting ability, defensive reach and mobility makes him one of the most distinctive players in basketball. At his best, he can influence a game at both ends of the floor in ways that few players in NBA history could match.
From a marketing perspective, Wembanyama also offers something valuable: the possibility of watching a generational talent develop over many years.
Brunson, meanwhile, offers a different appeal. His success is built around skill, leadership and a championship-winning mentality rather than physical dimensions that seem almost impossible.
The NBA could benefit from having both players at the centre of its next era. They offer contrasting styles and personalities, giving fans more than one compelling reason to follow the league.
Still, the question remains whether Brunson can become the single player most closely associated with the NBA.
Can Brunson Really Become the Face of the NBA?
This is where the debate gets interesting.
Being the face of the league is about much more than winning a championship. It also involves international recognition, commercial appeal, memorable rivalries, consistent excellence and the ability to attract fans who might not otherwise follow basketball.
LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have spent years building those connections with audiences around the world. Replacing that level of recognition will not happen overnight.
Brunson has a major advantage, though: he plays for the New York Knicks.
New York is one of basketball’s most recognisable markets, and Madison Square Garden remains one of the sport’s most famous venues. When the Knicks are winning, their success can become a national story rather than simply another team’s championship run.
Brunson’s championship has given him a platform that few players enjoy. Silver’s endorsement adds another layer of recognition, but the point guard must continue delivering performances that justify the attention.
There is also the question of longevity. Brunson is entering his thirties, while Wembanyama and several other emerging stars have more years ahead of them. The NBA’s next leading figure may not be decided by one championship or one memorable season.
Nevertheless, Brunson has already done something that cannot be manufactured by marketing campaigns: he has won over fans through his performances.
The Knicks Must Keep Winning
The challenge now is turning one championship into a lasting period of success.
New York will face opponents determined to dethrone the champions, and every team will have a fresh opportunity to study Brunson’s game and devise ways to limit his influence.
The Knicks also need their supporting cast to remain effective. Even a player as talented as Brunson cannot carry an entire season alone, particularly when opponents are preparing specifically to stop him.
The team’s opening-night defeat to Philadelphia on October 20 was a reminder that championship celebrations do not guarantee immediate success in a new season. The Knicks must prove themselves again, regardless of what they achieved last year.
For Brunson, that challenge could ultimately strengthen his case. Another deep playoff run would demonstrate that his championship was not a one-off achievement but part of a sustained period of excellence.
Final Thoughts
Adam Silver’s praise is significant because it recognises what Knicks fans have been saying for some time: Jalen Brunson belongs in the conversation about the NBA’s biggest stars.
His journey from a second-round draft pick to a championship-winning Finals MVP is one of the most compelling stories in modern basketball. He has earned his reputation through skill, determination and performances when the pressure is at its highest.
But is he the undisputed face of the NBA? That remains open to debate, especially with Victor Wembanyama and other emerging superstars competing for the same recognition.
One thing is certain: Brunson has made his case impossible to ignore.
Do you believe Jalen Brunson should become the face of the NBA, or does Victor Wembanyama have a stronger claim? Share your opinion.