Jalen Brunson changed Shaquille O'Neal's mind with one NBA Finals performance originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NBA Finals are supposed to expose weaknesses.For years, critics have searched for one in Jalen Brunson. He's too small. He's not athletic enough. He's not a true superstar. He's not someone who can carry a team to a championship.
On Wednesday night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Brunson delivered another reminder that those conversations may finally be over. The New York Knicks star scored 30 points and took complete control of the game when his team needed him most, helping lift New York to a 105-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. More importantly, he earned something else afterward: the full respect of one of basketball's most recognizable voices.
Even Shaquille O'Neal admitted Brunson answered questions he still had entering the series.
Speaking on TNT's postgame coverage, O'Neal revealed he wasn't entirely convinced about how Brunson would handle the Finals spotlight against San Antonio's length and defensive versatility.