The Herd with Colin Cowherd presents: Hoops Tonight

Episode: Why Jalen Brunson is #9 in my NBA player rankings for 2025 | New York Knicks
Host: Jason Timpf | Date: August 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Jason Timpf takes a deep dive into why Jalen Brunson ranks #9 in his 2025 NBA player rankings—marking Brunson’s first appearance in the Hoops Tonight Top 10. Jason breaks down Brunson’s ascension with the New York Knicks, his stats and skillset, his impact on both regular season and playoff basketball, and what sets him apart from other high-usage NBA guards. The latter part of the episode addresses Denzel Washington’s recent criticism of sports media, with Jason delivering a passionate defense of the current sports media landscape.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Jalen Brunson’s Ascent to the Top 10

(02:11 – 06:45)

• Brunson’s Season Recap / Accolades:

  • Played 65 games in the regular season, missing time only after an ankle sprain.
  • Averaged 26 PPG, 3 RPG, 7 APG, 0.9 SPG.
  • Shooting splits: 49% FG / 38% 3PT / 82% FT; career-high 6.9 FTA/game; 55% eFG; 61% TS—his first season over 20 PPG and 60% TS.
  • Accolades: 10th in MVP voting, All-Star (2nd time), 2nd Team All-NBA, and Clutch Player of the Year.

• Playoff Prowess:

  • Averaged 29/3/7 on 58% TS throughout the 2025 playoffs.
  • In three Knicks playoff runs (42 games): 30/4/7 on 57% TS—establishing himself as a “statistical monster” in the postseason.

Game Management & Why Brunson Outranks His Peers

(06:46 – 17:55)

• Superiority to other guards: Outranks Donovan Mitchell and younger stars like Cade Cunningham, specifically for elite “game management” and shot-creation volume.

  • Example: In 2024-25, Brunson passed out of pick-and-roll almost 900 times (4th most in NBA), compared to Mitchell’s 517.

• Shot Creation’s True Value: Initiators like Brunson don’t always rack up assists, but their creation of the initial advantage is what bends defenses and enables team offense.

• Knicks' Offensive Limits: Knicks were top-5 in regular-season offense, but “tanked” offensively in the playoffs → criticism of Thibodeau for not developing enough secondary actions (e.g., OG Anunoby post-ups).

“Jalen would wear down at times... By game six against Indiana, he looked like it. [Andrew] Nembhard kind of had him in cuffs.” (13:57)

• Lesson for Knicks: Need more diversity in offensive actions during regular season so alternatives are second nature in the playoffs, sparing Brunson from constant pressure.

The Science Behind Brunson’s Clutch Greatness

(17:56 – 22:24)

• Game Flow Mastery: Brunson paces himself, “easing into games” then ramping up usage late.
  • Usage rates by quarter:
    • Q1: 27.8% | Q2: 27.7% | Q3: 26.8% | Q4: 34%

“He invests in the simple decision making throughout the first three quarters. Then he hits the jets down the stretch and delivers the knockout punch. That’s why he won Clutch Player of the Year award.” (20:10)

• Clutch Stats:
  • Made 52 clutch field goals (most in NBA) at 52% FG
  • 28 assists to 8 turnovers in clutch
  • Knicks had a 19-12 record in clutch games (5th best win%)
  • In playoffs: 17 clutch shots (led the field), 7-4 team record in clutch playoff games

Deep Dive: Brunson’s Skillset & Playtype Breakdown

(22:25 – 32:17)

• Elite Pick-and-Roll Scorer:
  • Ran 1,637 PnRs (w/ passes), generating 1.08 PPP (6th among high-volume players).
  • Pull-up 3s off PnR: 38% on 146 attempts.
  • Deadly in the short midrange: 52% on jumpers inside 17 ft; same on floaters (200+ in each).

“If you have a shot you can get to...and you can make it more than half the time—that is what drives elite crunch time scoring. Jalen Brunson...was a healthy chunk over 50% on massive volume.” (28:03)

• Finishing at the Rim: 60% on 275 layup attempts—elite for a small guard.
• Drawing Fouls: Uses expert body positioning and offbeat gathers, even if Jason doesn’t like “non-basketball plays”—puts the responsibility on the league, not players.
• Playmaking: Not an anticipatory passer; makes simple, effective reads—rarely turns it over; this “reactionary” style is ideal for his game manager role.

Areas for Improvement: Handling Defensive Blitzes

(25:58 – 27:12)

• Vs. Blitzes: Out of 8 top blitzed players, Brunson’s PnR generated the fewest points per possession (0.68)—struggles to get the ball out cleanly under pressure due to size, not decision-making.

“It’s not terribly uncommon to see some smaller players struggle with blitzes just because of all the length that they have to deal with.” (25:58)

Isolation & Footwork: The Fundamentals of Separation

(27:13 – 34:50)

• Brunson was elite in isolation & post-up volume: 423 isos/post-ups for 1.09 PPP.
• Signature Skill: “Start-stop quickness” is what separates him, plus ability to sell every fake and movement—even simple moves become weaponized (extensive breakdown of mechanics).
• Teaching Point: Young players should study Brunson, Luka, SGA—emphasizing footwork and change-of-pace over raw athleticism.

“These are the kinds of guys that actually makes the most sense for you to watch as a young basketball player and to try to emulate.” (29:49)

Scoring Versatility & Playoff Defense

(34:51 – 37:57)

• Brunson is rare among small guards: Can finish off both shoulders, post-up, fade, hit hooks, vary releases and angles—“He’s got all of that in the bag.”
• Comparison: “The Damian Lillard of this era”—not quite top tier, but elite as a scorer and closer. One leg up: Brunson is a more “workable” playoff defender than many peers, thanks to following game plans and not making mental mistakes, even if his physical tools are limited.

“There are two different types of bad defenders. Guys who struggle physically and guys who struggle mentally. If you’re both, you’re dead on arrival. But if you struggle physically, there’s a certain amount I can plan around... mistake making I can’t prepare for.” (36:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the value of offensive variety for New York:

  “It's not all OG Anunoby post-ups, but it's just finding, you know, three or four other ways to initiate your offense but actually running them hundreds and hundreds of times in the regular season so that they feel second nature.” (12:46)

• On officiating and “non-basketball plays”:

  “I hate that shit. Even on the team I root for... I don't blame the players. I blame the league.” (30:49)

• On small guards and defense:

  “Jalen Brunson can be lazy sometimes, especially in the regular season, and he certainly has his physical limitations. But he competes and he will execute his part of the game plan, which I think makes him at least a higher floor defender than many of his small guard peers in recent years.” (37:33)

[41:09] Media Segment: Denzel Washington's Critique on Sports Media

Denzel’s Quote (paraphrased):

“Everyone’s got an opinion. We live in a world of opinionators… Those who can, do. Those who can’t, talk about those who can.” (41:09)

Jason's Counterargument & Perspective

(41:53 – 47:41)

• Rejects “gatekeeping”: Playing at a high level isn’t a prerequisite to love, analyze, or intelligently discuss basketball.
  • Personal reflection: Basketball shaped his life, but he recognizes that love & insight aren’t tied to playing career.
  • Cites examples of great non-player analysts: Cranjis McBasketball, Half Court Hoops, Pete Zayas, Zach Lowe, Mark Stein, Caitlin Cooper.

“You're an idiot if you don't think someone like Caitlin Cooper, who does a phenomenal job covering the Indiana Pacers...can teach you something about NBA basketball.” (45:03)

• Media meritocracy: The current era allows anyone with insight and work ethic to reach an audience—democratizing who gets to shape basketball discourse.
• Critiques former players who do “shitty work”: Playing history isn’t a guarantee of quality analysis.
• On content diversity: Celebrates the spectrum of options: deep analytics, storytelling, reporting, drama—different formats for different fans.

“Let’s stop gatekeeping basketball... If you love it enough to want to talk about it, you should go after it. And I think attempts to stifle those folks or belittle those folks or gatekeep those folks is incredibly lame.” (47:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro / Rationale for Episode: [02:11]
• Brunson’s Season & Playoff Performance: [02:20 – 06:45]
• Game Management vs Peers: [06:46 – 17:55]
• Clutch Performance Analysis: [17:56 – 22:24]
• Skillset Deep Dive – Shooting & Playmaking: [22:25 – 32:17]
• Handling Blitzes & Defensive Pressure: [25:58 – 27:12]
• Isolation Craft / Fundamentals: [27:13 – 34:50]
• Defensive Evaluation: [34:51 – 37:57]
• Transition to Media Critique: [41:09]
• Jason’s Response to Denzel: [41:53 – 47:41]

Summary

Jason Timpf provides a robust justification for ranking Jalen Brunson #9 in his 2025 NBA rankings, situating him as the era’s Damian Lillard—a volume scorer and clutch assassin, but with a higher defensive floor and elite point guard skills. He attributes Brunson’s success to his surgical game management, unique footwork, and shotmaking versatility. The episode also offers insight on what the Knicks could do to reach the next level, especially in terms of diversifying their offense. Closing with a spirited defense of basketball media from all backgrounds, Jason champions an inclusive, meritocratic approach that values all who deeply love and study the game, regardless of playing pedigree.