Jalen Brunson has high standards for the New York Knicks going forward.
The Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers, 130-109, in Game 7 on Sunday, falling one game short of their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000.
The Knicks were praised for their toughness and resiliency throughout the season, as they battled to the No. 2 seed in the East and a first-round series victory despite injuries to key players like Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic, Mitchell Robinson, and OG Anunoby.
By Game 7, Anunoby and Josh Hart were severely limited by injuries, and Brunson left the game early with a fractured hand.
Still, Brunson wasn't making excuses for the Knicks. Asked after the game if he considered the Knicks' season a success, he flatly said, "No."
Brunson then briefly elaborated.
"Did we win the championship? Did we get close?" Brunson replied to a reporter. "So, no. That's my mindset, this is how it is."
Jalen Brunson was asked why he believes this season wasn't a successful one for the Knicks:
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 19, 2024
"Did we win the championship? Did we get close? That's my mindset, this is how it is" pic.twitter.com/7kEHVYto69
Brunson was also critical of his own play, saying he didn't do enough to help the Knicks win. Brunson shot a combined 17-for-43 over the Knicks' Game 6 and 7 losses. Brunson had a sore foot that hampered him early in the series, but he was not on the injury report in recent games.
It's hard to be too critical of Brunson, considering he had a playoff run that put him among all-time greats. Brunson had five 40-point games this postseason — plus a 39-point game — becoming the first player since Michael Jordan to post four straight 40-point games. It was the most 40-point games in a postseason since LeBron James in 2018.
Brunson knows success, however, as a two-time national champion in college. His college and Knicks teammates Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo know what it takes, as well.
Considering the Knicks' success amid numerous injuries this season, it's easy to look at them as Eastern Conference contenders next season if they bring back the same group. But by Brunson's standards, being competitive isn't enough.
