The NBA is a league that thrives on star power and media attention. Big names and iconic franchises often dominate the headlines, while rising talents and smaller-market teams sometimes struggle to earn the recognition they deserve. One such player feeling the effects of this bias is Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks’ No. 1 point guard. Despite emerging as one of the most reliable and talented players in the league, Brunson has recently voiced his frustrations regarding what he perceives as favoritism within the NBA. In his eyes, certain players and teams seem to receive far more attention than others, even when their on-court performances don’t necessarily justify the discrepancy.
Brunson’s comments are a reflection of the broader issue within the NBA of how players are marketed and recognized, often based on their fame, marketability, or the historical significance of their teams, rather than strictly on performance. As a player who has steadily developed into one of the league’s premier point guards, Brunson feels that he and his team—the New York Knicks—are not being given the credit they deserve, despite their considerable success.
In this blog post, we’ll explore Jalen Brunson’s frustrations with favoritism in the NBA, how the league’s attention toward certain players and franchises impacts others, and what this means for both the Knicks and the NBA at large.
Jalen Brunson: From Underrated to Star
Jalen Brunson’s journey to NBA stardom has been anything but conventional. After a standout college career at Villanova, where he led his team to a national championship and was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, Brunson was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018. While he showed promise early in his career, it wasn’t until he signed with the New York Knicks in 2022 that he truly started to showcase his full potential.
In his first season with the Knicks, Brunson quickly established himself as the team’s undisputed leader. His ability to run the offense, control the pace of the game, and create scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates made him a crucial part of the team’s success. His poise under pressure, elite basketball IQ, and clutch performances in critical moments were reminiscent of some of the league’s most accomplished point guards.
However, despite his significant contributions to the Knicks’ playoff push in 2023 and his continued high-level play in the 2024 season, Brunson has expressed his frustrations over being consistently overlooked in favor of more marketable superstars, particularly those on high-profile teams.
“I put in the work, and I show up every night,” Brunson said in a recent interview. “But it feels like no matter what I do, it’s always the same names that get the recognition. You have to fight for respect in this league, and I’m starting to feel like the system is stacked against players like me who don’t come from the biggest markets or have the flashiest storylines. It’s frustrating.”
The NBA’s Bias Toward Superstars and Large-Market Teams
Brunson’s frustrations are not unique to him. Across the NBA, there is a longstanding issue of media favoritism toward certain players, teams, and markets. The NBA, for better or worse, has become a league that heavily values star power, often elevating the most marketable players and the teams with the largest fan bases and histories. In many cases, this means that players from teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, or Golden State Warriors, who boast major media coverage and larger-than-life personalities, receive more attention and praise than players from smaller-market teams like the Knicks or the Charlotte Hornets.
This bias is particularly evident in MVP discussions, All-Star selections, and media coverage of big games. Players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Luka Dončić, who play for high-profile teams or are simply considered household names, often dominate the headlines and are viewed as the face of the NBA. While these players undoubtedly deserve their recognition due to their talent and accomplishments, it can be frustrating for players like Brunson, who are just as skilled and impactful, but come from teams with smaller fan bases or less national attention.
The Knicks, despite their rich history and loyal fan base, have been stuck in a rebuilding phase for years. As a result, they often find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the media spotlight, even though they are a competitive team with legitimate playoff aspirations. Players like Brunson, who play for these franchises, often find themselves in the shadow of players who play for perennial contenders or more popular teams.
The Impact of Media Bias on Player Recognition
Brunson’s concerns about favoritism within the NBA highlight a larger issue of how player recognition is shaped by media narratives. While the NBA is undoubtedly a league of talented athletes, the power of media coverage cannot be understated. The way players are marketed and portrayed in the media can have a massive impact on their career trajectory, endorsement opportunities, and even their long-term legacy.
For example, players who are consistently featured in national broadcasts, commercials, and social media campaigns often have greater opportunities to build their brand and receive endorsements. In contrast, players who are not regularly featured in these high-profile platforms, even if they perform at an elite level, can struggle to gain the recognition they deserve. This can also impact how coaches, general managers, and fans view players in terms of their potential and importance to a team.
Brunson’s complaint isn’t just about personal recognition—it’s about the broader system that favors players based on their marketability and historical prestige rather than just their on-court performance. As a player who doesn’t fit the mold of the flashy superstar or the player on a championship-contending team, Brunson feels that he has to work harder to earn respect and recognition.
How the Knicks Can Overcome the Bias
The New York Knicks have a unique opportunity to address the media bias that Brunson has called out. While the team is still in the process of building a championship-contending roster, they have several factors working in their favor that could help elevate their profile in the NBA.
First and foremost, the Knicks have one of the most passionate fan bases in the league. Madison Square Garden is known as one of the loudest and most electric arenas, and the team’s historic significance in the league cannot be ignored. The Knicks have always been a team that can generate attention, especially in big games. If the team can consistently make deep playoff runs and remain competitive, they can start to push back against the media bias that often overlooks them.
Second, Brunson’s leadership is a key factor in the Knicks’ future success. As one of the most steady and composed point guards in the league, Brunson has the ability to take his game to new heights and guide the Knicks into the upper echelon of NBA contenders. If Brunson can continue his high-level play and the Knicks can make a legitimate playoff push, they’ll start to force the league and the media to pay attention.
Lastly, the Knicks need to continue developing their young talent. Players like Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley provide a strong foundation for the team’s success. As these players mature and improve, the Knicks will become a more formidable force in the NBA, and the media will be forced to take them seriously.
Conclusion: The Need for Equal Recognition in the NBA
Jalen Brunson’s frustration with favoritism in the NBA is a sentiment shared by many players who feel that their hard work and success aren’t being fully recognized. While players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are undoubtedly deserving of their accolades and media coverage, the league must strive to provide equal recognition to all players, regardless of their market or team’s historical success.
For Brunson and the New York Knicks, the key to overcoming this bias is continued success. If the team can remain competitive, make deep playoff runs, and establish themselves as legitimate contenders, the media will have no choice but to shine the spotlight on them. And as for Brunson, his continued growth as one of the league’s premier point guards will only further his case for being recognized as one of the NBA’s best.
In the end, the NBA is about talent, and Jalen Brunson has the skill, work ethic, and leadership to prove that he deserves a seat at the table with the league’s brightest stars. It’s only a matter of time before the NBA and its media recognize the value he brings to the Knicks and the league as a whole. Until then, Brunson’s frustrations can serve as a reminder that, in a league full of incredible talent, recognition should be based on performance, not market size or media narrative.