Left last summer in New York, where he reached a milestone as an individual this season after playing the first four campaigns of his career in Dallas, Jalen Brunson keep a strong relationship with Luka Doncic.
Arrived together in the Texas club on the evening of the 2018 Draft, the two leaders grew together at the Mavericks, rising in power until establishing themselves as the “backcourt” holder who carried the franchise to the conference finals. West, against the future champions Warriors, in the 2022 playoffs.
” It’s like a brother in arms. We were drafted together, and I watched him grow into the player he is today. He progressed from year to year, to the point of being a top five player in the league, and an MVP candidate every year. », declared moreover “JB” for The Athletic this week. ” Whenever I have the opportunity to share the pitch with him, whether as a teammate or as an opponent, it’s always special. I only have good memories. »
A special relationship
Since then, Knicks and Mavericks have met only twice, last season, and Jalen Brunson had only taken part in one of the two confrontations since he was injured at the time of the second. As a result, this preparation match between Team USA and Slovenia, scheduled for this Saturday evening (9:30 p.m. in France) in Malaga, will be a bit special for the two ex-teammates and friends, who will only be opponents for the second time.
” We haven’t really talked about this game. We talk regularly, but more to find out how we are doing, to hear from each other “, adds the leader of New York. ” But I know what to expect of course, like everyone else. As opponents, we won’t be friends for the duration of the match, but off the pitch, it’s a really special relationship. »
In a promising match between two nations who finished 1st and 4th in the last Olympic Games, we will therefore particularly observe the duel of the two titular playmakers. Even if the goal is not to give their all 13 days before the start of the World Cup, we can be certain that they will not fail to make life difficult for each other. Game time…
