Tracy McGrady reveals he thinks Jalen Brunson plays like Kobe Bryant in the clutch
Tracy McGrady reveals he thinks Jalen Brunson plays like Kobe Bryant in the clutch originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Jalen Brunson has made a name for himself as one of the most clutch players in the league in recent years. That was proven by his Clutch Player of the Year award in the 2024-25 season. However, that award was not what cemented him because the 2026 championship trumps that.
As the best player on the New York Knicks, Brunson has been the go-to guy in late-game situations. That was made clear in every fourth quarter they played because he always found ways to beat whatever the San Antonio Spurs threw at him.
Tracy McGrady compares Jalen Brunson’s clutch gene to Kobe Bryant’s
Across NBA history, there have been special players known for their clutch gene. They can step up in the high-pressure moments and hit the important shots for their teams.
Among them was Kobe Bryant, one of the most dangerous shot-makers of all time. Whenever the Los Angeles Lakers were in a clutch situation, everyone knew the ball was going to Bryant, but he still hit game-winner after game-winner.
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For the Knicks, Brunson fills that role well. He has always been a level-headed player in high-pressure situations, but he took it up a notch when he became the Knicks’ superstar. He became such a reliable player in the clutch, which has paid off for him in a championship this season.
As one of Bryant’s peers, Tracy McGrady saw clutch greatness up close. Now that he is watching Brunson do it on the biggest stage, he can’t help but compare the Knicks’ latest Finals MVP to what he saw from Bryant.
“You got to look at Kobe because for three quarters, it was feed Shaq, get Shaq involved, and then the fourth quarter, you know, it’s Kobe time… He’s going to deliver, and you know the ball is going to Jalen Brunson. He’s going to serve you. He’s going to deliver,” McGrady said on the Cousins podcast with Vince Carter.
Brunson always finds ways to get his shots off, whether it’s through his shot-creation or just sheer determination to drive into the paint. Brunson will be one of the most iconic clutch players of this generation, and he has earned that reputation.
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- Ben Stiller calls OG Anunoby’s tip-in one of the greatest moments in Knicks history
- Isiah Thomas celebrates Jalen Brunson as another smaller guard to win Finals MVP
- Dylan Harper’s postseason run has apparently made people forget Cooper Flagg
- Draymond Green calls the Spurs sore losers after not shaking hands with the Knicks
- The Knicks have made unprecedented history as the NBA’s first-ever Double-winning team
