Not surprising but Jalen Brunson and Immanuel Quickley are up for two major NBA Awards that honor the top performances of the season.
Both Knicks guards were named finalists Friday night. Brunson is up for the Most Improved Player award while Quickley is a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year honors.
Brunson has been a revelation in his first year in New York. In 68 games this season, Brunson is averaging 24 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists a game.
In 79 games last season, with the Dallas Mavericks, Brunson averaged 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. The offensive output has increased and his presence has helped the Knicks play to the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and into the playoffs.
“He’s made a quantum leap this year,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said of Brunson’s improvement earlier this month. “When you look at his shot profile, outstanding. He’s getting to the line more, he’s shooting more threes, he’s playmaking, he’s creating easy offense for us. He’s managing and controlling the game, he’s bringing the best out of his teammates.
“He has all the attributes that you value: he’s tough, he’s smart, can think on his feet, dedicated to his craft, competitive.”
Brunson is up against Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
As for Quickley, he’s had a career year. In 81 games, the third-year guard is averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He’s also started 21 games for the Knicks this season showing that he’s much more than a bench player.
SNY’s basketball insider Ian Begley made the case for Quickley winning the award back in March and not much has changed.
Boston’s Malcom Brogdon and Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis Jr. were also named finalists for the Sixth Man of the Year award alongside Quickley.
The winners for each category will be named next week.