No traditional NBA narrative is holding Jalen Brunson back as he reaches Knicks greatness

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Jalen Brunson has defied conventional NBA wisdom at every turn. Drafted 13th overall in 2018 despite elite scoring credentials, undersized at 6'1", and betting his prime years on a rebuilding Knicks franchise, Brunson has instead become the engine of New York's ascent toward contention. The guard rejected the gravitational pull of superstar-laden destinations and easier paths, instead choosing to build something in Manhattan. His willingness to take the harder road, developing the Knicks rather than joining an established powerhouse, has rewritten the script about what small guards can accomplish in the modern NBA.