Villanova Knicks On Making Finals Together; Brunson’s Hall of Fame Trait

The Villanova Knicks punched their ticket to the NBA Finals on Monday, May 25, obliterating the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 in a game wrapped up before the half. The Wildcats’ trio of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges discussed what it means to play together in the NBA in a lengthy press conference.  

Like any teammates, their answers contained both sincerity and friendly jabs, giving an idea of the locker room dynamic that helped Villanova to a pair of national championships — the second without Hart, as Brunson is always quick to point out.

Asked about playing together in both college and the NBA, Hart took a moment to consider the odds of the stars aligning in that way.

“It’s something that is surreal. When you’re in college and you’re in that locker room you always know the goal is the NBA. And the percent chance that you guys are gonna be on the same team is very slim, if not none,” Hart said.

“It’s always something you talk about and dream about, but you know the reality is it’s almost impossible. So the fact that it actually came to fruition is super cool because I know the time that these guys put in, I know where their hearts are, and we already share a bond and a brotherhood for life. This is just another step there. Obviously this is not the ultimate goal, but you just keep adding memories to that, and these are memories that we’ll have for a lifetime.”

The sincere answer earned Hart a mid-interview ‘dap’ handshake from Bridges.

Brunson Wins MVP

Brunson won Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors for his performance, averaging 25.5 points and 7.8 assists per game. As such, most of the questions revolved around his performance and role as the Knicks’ leader. Center Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks’ other All-Star, described how Brunson leads through example with a ferocious work ethic.

“I think he just puts the work in,” Towns said. “If you know JB’s merch line, it’s always about ‘the magic’s in the work,’ he’s a testament to that. He believes in that, he showcases that every single day to all of us, and it drives us all to be better.”

Brunson was the first of the current ‘Villanova Knicks’ trio to make his way to the Big Apple. With New York going out of their way to supplement him with other Wildcats’ alumni like Hart, Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo, later traded to the Timberwolves, Brunson gave a simple answer regarding his relationship with his college teammates.

‘These guys have my back,” Brunson said, “And they’ve always had it.”

Bridges chimed in with a similar answer.

“No other player, no other guard that I want to be along[side] besides JB,” Bridges said. “So I’m just very grateful to be in this position.”

Hall of Fame Comparisons

Knicks head coach Mike Brown knows a superstar when he sees one: his coaching tenure includes stints in San Antonio with Tim Duncan, Cleveland with LeBron James, Los Angeles with Kobe Bryant and with Steph Curry and the Warriors. Brown compared Brunson to Curry and Duncan on the strength of his work ethic, saying he had to alter his own sleep schedule to match Brunson.

“Most superstars I’ve been around work extremely hard, but his work ethic, it’s off the charts. He goes and shoots, we have shootaround usually at 10 a.m. and he goes, whether at home or on the road. And I’m a late night guy, but I had to adjust because he makes me tired,” Brown said. “I’ve gotta get up now at 7:30 and meet with my coaches because we’re having an early shootaround. And not most of the time — every time. So his work ethic is second to none.” 

Brown added that Brunson’s calm personality gives another example for his teammates to follow, one that’s even more important than Brown’s own contribution as a coach.

“On top of that, he’s pretty even-keeled. Never gets too high, never gets too low. And when your leader is that way, which you need to have, especially when you hit adversity, it’s easy to get everybody else to follow,” Brown said. 

“Because I can be that way, but as a coach, players are gonna tune me out at times. But when it comes from within, it’s hard to tune each other out, especially when it comes from your leader or best player. So that in itself is special, and that is similar to Steph [Curry] and to Tim [Duncan]. Their quiet strength or even-keeled strength, all the time.”