Rick Brunson has a front-row seat to witness the performances of his son, Jalen, since he has been an assistant to Tom Thibodeau with the Knicks for two years, and the player's arrival in New York. A privileged place, which is easier to live with this season than last year.
Why is that ? “Because there was so much expectation and negativity around him, in relation to his salary, that he would be overpaid”, replies Rick Brunson. “Now that he is well established, that he is an excellent player, it is undoubtedly easier for the father that I am. I can relax, be calmer and less nervous. »
However, it is impossible to avoid tension in the playoffs. “On the bench, there are a lot of emotions. I try to keep that in myself, not show it. I'm a coach, I have a job to do. I'm nervous as hell. For Game 5, I was knotted”he admits.
As Rick Brunson says, he remains an assistant. Isn't it difficult to coach your own son, even more so when he is an All-Star and makes great playoffs? “The most important thing for a father is not to be a fan. You have to remain a father. When I am with him, I am his father, not his friend, nor his friend or a fan. He doesn't cross that line, neither do I.”defines the former Portland player.
The same passion, the same jersey but not the same talent
A father, a son, but also two players. Rick was also a point guard (1m93) and played in New York. Also, what does he have in common with Jalen Brunson?
“We have the same passion, the same work ethic, the same hardness. Jalen is calmer than me, I was nervous. » Furthermore, the father adds that he and his son did not “not the same talent”.
The numbers show it very well: between 1997 and 2006, Rick Brunson played 337 matches and scored 1,090 points in total. His best season? At the Clippers, in 2004/05, with 5.5 points and 5.1 assists on average. Even during his first two years in Dallas, his least good, Jalen Brunson did better.
So even though he is proud of his offspring, Rick admits that he is a little jealous of his son's abilities. “I can say it with respect and pride: sometimes I wish I was him. I look at my son and say to myself that I wish I could have done that. I didn't have that talent.” he admits. “Whereas, usually, it’s the opposite: the son wants to be like the father. I want to be like my son. I say it all the time. I say this with pride. »
| Jalen Brunson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | DAL | 73 | 22 | 46.7 | 34.8 | 72.5 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 9.3 |
| 2019-20 | DAL | 57 | 18 | 46.6 | 35.8 | 81.3 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 8.2 |
| 2020-21 | DAL | 68 | 25 | 52.3 | 40.5 | 79.5 | 0.4 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 12.6 |
| 2021-22 | DAL | 79 | 32 | 50.2 | 37.3 | 84.0 | 0.5 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 16.3 |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 68 | 35 | 49.1 | 41.6 | 82.9 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 24.0 |
| 2023-24 | NYK | 77 | 35 | 47.9 | 40.1 | 84.7 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 28.7 |
| Total | 422 | 28 | 48.9 | 39.1 | 82.4 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 4.7 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 16.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
