THE TAKE
"He was slept on [his entire career]. ... Jalen Brunson ... is a top-five player in the NBA."
@KendrickPerkins gives high p…
BOLDNESS
7/100
GRADE
82/100
PLAYERS / TEAMS
Jalen Brunson
GRADING CRITERIA
Jalen Brunson ranks among the top 5 players in the NBA based on 2025-26 season performance and current standing.
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OUTCOME
CONFIRMED TRUEJalen Brunson not only validated the top-5 claim but arguably exceeded it. He led the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship since 1973, winning both the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and the NBA Finals MVP with a unanimous vote from all 11 media members. He averaged 32.6 points per game in the Finals and scored 45 points in the clinching Game 5, cementing his status as one of the absolute best players in the league.