Jalen Brunson used New York’s Knicks ticker-tape parade on Thursday, June 18 to answer critics, thanking fans after the franchise’s first NBA title in 53 years and recalling earlier doubts about his size.
NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson stepped into the city’s noise on Thursday, June 18, and made it clear he wasn’t interested in the people who had spent years doubting him.
New York honored the Knicks with a ticker-tape parade to celebrate the team’s first NBA championship in 53 years. The celebration began as the team rolled up to the Canyon of Heroes in Downtown Manhattan and culminated with a ceremony at City Hall.
Standing before a crowd that erupted with cheers right after he spoke. the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player went straight for the critics. “There are a lot of people who have a lot of opinions. but when you prove them wrong. you don’t have to say (expletive) to them. ” Brunson told the crowd. He then added: “Nah, they don’t deserve it. Appreciate y’all, thank you.”.
For Brunson, the message landed with an extra edge because it echoed a familiar storyline from earlier in his career. At times, criticism centered on his size—he’s 6-foot-2—along with the argument that shorter players would struggle to carry a contender.
The Finals, and especially the way the Knicks won, undercut that narrative. Brunson’s scoring bursts and clutch fourth-quarter play quieted the doubts in a way that didn’t leave much room for debate.
That isn’t the first time he addressed the haters since the championship. On Saturday, June 13, after the Knicks topped the San Antonio Spurs in the decisive Game 5 of the Finals, Brunson said: “I didn’t respond to them then and I’m damn sure not going to respond to them now.”
The parade turned that line into a full-circle moment, with the franchise’s long-awaited title giving his remarks their timing and weight. In a city that showed up expecting celebration, Brunson also made sure the victory couldn’t be separated from the people who doubted him along the way.
Jalen Brunson New York Knicks ticker-tape parade NBA Finals Most Valuable Player 53 years San Antonio Spurs Game 5 NBA championship
So is this like… he’s calling out haters or just talking to the fans? Either way he won I guess.
I didn’t realize the parade was today June 18 like literally on the date it says. Also “size” debates are always dumb, but I swear people always do it with short guys. Brunson pretty much shut them up, good for him.
I mean he’s 6-2 so yeah people gonna say stuff, but I feel like the article makes it sound like he was getting bullied by the whole city lol. Didn’t they win because the defense was elite? Also ticker-tape parades are kinda outdated, but I guess NYC loves drama.
He said “Nah, they don’t deserve it” and I’m like okay but who is “they”?? The critics?? The mayor?? because City Hall ceremony always gets weird politics. Anyway I’m glad Knicks finally won after forever, 53 years is wild. Hope the haters watched him in 4th quarter.