SOME of the New York Knicks players reportedly haven’t been thrilled with Jalen Brunson’s father and his power on the team.
The Knicks are coming off an Eastern Conference Finals defeat to the Indiana Pacers.
ReutersJalen Brunson and the New York Knicks were defeated by the Indiana Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals[/caption] Jalen and his father, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, look on during the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffsThe Knicks participated in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years.
The Big Apple was up for grabs, but the Knicks lost to the underdog Pacers in six games.
The Knicks have since fired their head coach Tom Thibodeau, and there are now recent reports suggesting that numerous players within the franchise aren’t pleased by the influence held by assistant coach Rick Brunson.
The 52-year-old is also the dad of Knicks star and team captain Jalen Brunson.
NBA insider Sam Amico of Hoops Wire reported that “multiple Knicks players have been unhappy with the presence of assistant coach Rick Brunson.”
The report added that the problem “has not been determined, though sources suggested that Rick has had too big a say in things.”
Brunson Sr. joined the Knicks’ coaching staff in 2022.
The decision was seen due to his relationship with Thibodeau and a way to help recruit his son in free agency.
It’s not known whether or not the elder Brunson will stay with the franchise after the firing of Thibodeau on Wednesday.
Brunson Sr. has spent seven years serving as an assistant under Thibodeau.
Still, it’s believed that the incoming coach could be expected to keep the father of Jalen Brunson on the staff.
The younger Brunson has received MVP votes in each of his three seasons with the Knicks.
He also helped the team with his contract extension last summer as he left $100 million on the table to help with roster building.
However, the latest report on Rick Brunson comes as he and his son were among the most vocal Thibodeau supporters during his tenure.
The Brunsons’ close relationship with Thibodeau has caused some to wonder whether the veteran’s exit was due to power struggles, possibly made by Rick.
GettyThe Brunsons have been Knicks for the past three seasons[/caption]Nonetheless, the Knicks will have to fill their head coaching vacancy.
They’ve been connected with names like assistant coach Johnny Bryant and Mike Malone, among others.
They’ll have to dig deep and decide what to do to win an NBA championship for the first time since 1973.
2025 NBA Finals schedule
All NBA Finals games are broadcasting on ABC
Game 1: Pacers at Thunder (Thu. June 5, 8:30pm ET) Game 2: Pacers at Thunder (Sun. June 8, 8:00pm ET) Game 3: Thunder at Pacers (Wed. June 11, 8:30pm ET) Game 4: Thunder at Pacers (Fri. June 13, 8:30pm ET) Game 5: Pacers at Thunder (Mon. June 16, 8:30pm ET)* Game 6: Thunder at Pacers (Thu. June 19, 8:30pm ET)* Game 7: Pacers at Thunder (Sun. June 22, 8:00pm ET)**if necessary
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