Bill Simmons Argues Jalen Brunson Now Belongs Among NBA’s All-Time Greats

Jalen Brunson’s rise from reliable starting guard to NBA champion has become one of basketball’s most remarkable success stories. After leading the New York Knicks to their first championship since 1973, Brunson’s standing within both franchise history and league history has become a growing topic of discussion.

The 2025-26 season represented the peak of Brunson’s career to date. In his fourth year with the Knicks and eighth season overall, he guided New York through a dominant postseason run that ended with a five-game victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. His performance earned him Finals MVP honors and further strengthened his reputation as one of the league’s elite leaders.

As celebrations continued across New York, analysts and former players began debating where Brunson now belongs among the game’s all-time greats. Few voices in basketball media carry more influence in historical discussions than Bill Simmons, who has spent years evaluating and ranking the greatest players in league history.

During a recent episode of his podcast, Simmons offered perhaps his strongest endorsement yet of Brunson’s legacy. His argument was not merely that Brunson is among the NBA’s best current players, but that his championship run may have already secured him a place among the sport’s all-time elite.

1. The Case for a Top-50 Ranking

Simmons’ argument centered on Brunson accomplishing something many Hall of Fame guards never managed during their careers. While individual accolades often shape historical rankings, Simmons emphasized the value of leading a team all the way to a championship as its unquestioned centerpiece. According to Simmons, Brunson’s postseason run compares favorably to some of the greatest performances by lead guards in NBA history. He pointed out that several legendary players produced exceptional careers but never succeeded in guiding their teams to a championship as the primary star. Among the names mentioned were James Harden, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and Jason Kidd. Each enjoyed periods of individual brilliance and earned significant recognition, yet their paths to a title either fell short or came under different circumstances than Brunson’s championship journey with New York. Simmons argued that Brunson’s achievement deserves special recognition because he consistently elevated his performance during the most important moments. Rather than shrinking under playoff pressure, the Knicks star repeatedly delivered clutch scoring, leadership, and offensive creation that carried New York through difficult postseason matchups.

2. Comparing Brunson to NBA Legends

Perhaps the most striking part of Simmons’ evaluation was the company in which he placed Brunson. He compared the Knicks guard’s title run to some of the most memorable championship performances in league history. Simmons referenced Dwyane Wade’s legendary 2006 Finals run, widely considered one of the greatest individual postseason performances ever. He also cited Bill Walton’s role in leading Portland to the 1977 championship, another achievement often celebrated among basketball historians. While those comparisons may generate debate, Simmons believes Brunson belongs in similar conversations because of the degree to which he drove New York’s success. Throughout the playoffs, he served as the engine of the offense and consistently produced solutions when opposing defenses attempted to slow the Knicks down. Most notably, Simmons revealed that he currently ranks Brunson 40th on his personal list of the greatest players in NBA history. According to his rankings, Brunson now sits ahead of several iconic names, including Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Sam Jones, James Harden, George Gervin, and Luka Doncic. Such a position reflects how highly Simmons values Brunson’s championship accomplishments and playoff impact.

3. Building a Legacy in New York

Regardless of where historians ultimately rank him, Brunson’s place in Knicks history appears secure. The guard delivered one of the most successful seasons ever by a New York player and helped end a championship drought that had lasted more than half a century. During the regular season, Brunson averaged 26.0 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds across 74 games. He shot 46.7 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from three-point range, and 84.1 percent from the free-throw line, maintaining efficiency while carrying a significant offensive workload. His leadership helped the Knicks finish with a 53-29 record and secure the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Once the playoffs began, New York elevated its play even further, compiling a dominant 16-3 postseason record and winning 13 consecutive games on the road to the NBA Finals. The championship victory over San Antonio not only delivered the franchise’s third title but also positioned the Knicks for continued success. With much of their core roster expected to return, New York enters the offseason with stability and optimism. While roster improvements remain a priority, the organization now has the foundation of a champion built around a player whose historical standing continues to rise.