The New York Knicks kicked off their new season with the usual mix of optimism and questions. But it was Jalen Brunson and his father, Rick Brunson, who ended up stealing the spotlight at media day.
The Knicks star guard and his dad, who also serves as an assistant coach for the team, shared a moment that quickly turned into one of the most talked-about clips of the day.
How Did Jalen Brunson and Rick Brunson Steal the Show?
What started as a serious press conference soon shifted into something far more memorable and hilarious. As Jalen fielded questions about the team’s offseason, his father, Knicks assistant coach and former NBA guard Rick, couldn’t resist interjecting.
“Speak well, son,” Rick teased Jalen from the side as he opened the door to the room, shutting it quickly.
Without missing a beat, Jalen deadpanned as he faced the media again, rubbing his face. “They should’ve took him, too.”
“Speak well son.”
Rick Brunson to Jalen at Knicks Media Day 😆
(via @nypostsports)pic.twitter.com/kYNBlu7w5S
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 23, 2025
The six words, delivered with perfect timing, turned the media session into a comedy club. Laughter rippled through the reporters and staff, proof of how effortlessly Jalen mixes charisma with candor. For a team stepping into a season of high expectations, the lightness of the moment resonated deeply.
How Did Tom Thibodeau’s Exit Affect Jalen?
Of course, the context behind the exchange gave it even more punch. The Knicks had parted ways with longtime head coach Tom Thibodeau just days after falling in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, their deepest playoff run in 25 years.
Jalen, who blossomed into an All-Star under Thibodeau’s system, admitted it was “sad to see a man I’ve known for a long time part ways with this organization.”
His father, Rick, had worked alongside Thibodeau for decades, serving on his staffs in Chicago, Minnesota, and New York. The family’s ties to the coach stretched back to the 1990s, when Rick played under him as an assistant with the Knicks and Rockets.
For both father and son, Thibodeau was more than just a boss; he was a mentor woven into their basketball journeys.
That backdrop explains why Jalen’s quip landed with such unexpected humor. It was a subtle nod to the seismic shift the franchise had just undergone, delivered with the kind of ease only possible between family.
What’s Next for the New York Knicks?
With Mike Brown now at the helm, the Knicks are trying to build on consecutive 50-win seasons and push toward a long-awaited Finals appearance. Brown has already signaled plans to speed up the offense and give Jalen opportunities to operate more off the ball, while Rick remains part of the staff charged with shaping the team’s identity.
For Brunson and the entire Knicks squad, Brown and his new coaching methodologies are something larger. Even amid all of this upheaval, basketball for him is about connection, humor, and trust. Be it his father or his respect for Thibodeau, he continues to anchor the Knicks’ franchise ahead of another high-stakes season.
