Jalen Brunson reveals how replicating JJ Barea helped him become a star player originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For the first few seasons of his career, Jalen Brunson was a backup on the Dallas Mavericks. Given that he played behind Luka Doncic, it was understandable that he had to play that role. While many players would struggle with that kind of role, Brunson took it as a challenge.
He knew he had to learn to play his role because that would make him a better player in the long-term future. That development also helped him develop traits that have helped him become a star player when he joined the New York Knicks in 2022.
The Mavericks have had plenty of good guards over the years. Of course, Doncic is the pinnacle of that position in Dallas, but there were plenty of good backup guards as well. One of them was JJ Barea, the longtime Mavericks guard who shone the most during the 2011 NBA Finals win against the Miami Heat.
Since Barea was considered a Mavs legend by a lot of people, he was seen as the prime example of a backup guard in Dallas. Brunson used him as the foundation of his development, which led to him getting much better as the years went on in Dallas.
#helped
For the first few seasons of his career, Jalen Brunson was a backup on the Dallas Mavericks. Given that he played behind Luka Doncic, it was understandable that he had to play that role. While many players would struggle with that kind of role, Brunson took it as a challenge.
He knew he had to learn to play his role because that would make him a better player in the long-term future. That development also helped him develop traits that have helped him become a star player when he joined the New York Knicks in 2022.
The Mavericks have had plenty of good guards over the years. Of course, Doncic is the pinnacle of that position in Dallas, but there were plenty of good backup guards as well. One of them was JJ Barea, the longtime Mavericks guard who shone the most during the 2011 NBA Finals win against the Miami Heat.
Since Barea was considered a Mavs legend by a lot of people, he was seen as the prime example of a backup guard in Dallas. Brunson used him as the foundation of his development, which led to him getting much better as the years went on in Dallas.
#helped
2 months ago
