Kevin Durant shared a cold-blooded truth with the New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson as they deal with the fallout of finally winning an NBA Championship.
The Knicks saw a 53-year wait for a championship end because Jalen Brunson stepped up and led the franchise to a title, cementing himself as one of the greatest athletes in the city’s history.
Kevin Durant knows championship success can be fleeting, and shared a poignant warning to help Brunson and the Knicks maximize the moment they have right now.
Kevin Durant warns Knicks could face another 53-year wait
Durant was asked to share words of advice with Brunson in a recent interview where the 37-year-old forward made it clear that Brunson and the franchise need to ‘strike while the iron is hot,’ because a title-winning moment might elude the franchise for another 53 years.
“Strike while the iron’s hot. This is a time New Yorkers or the Knicks aren’t gonna get back. You gotta take advantage of this time right now. You don’t know if this will come around. It’s been 53 years. It could be another 53-year wait. I would say take all the opportunities.”
Durant also shouted out Brunson’s achievements and made it clear he thinks Brunson will capitalize on his Finals MVP fame instantly from a commercial perspective.
“Jalen has done such a great job of being him every single day, stepping up, and his identity is about grinding from the bottom and being somebody in New York City who’s now made history in New York City. It’s an important time for him and the Knicks, so he’ll take advantage of it.”
Knicks second apron plans might ruin Jalen Brunson’s hopes of a repeat title
Durant’s ‘strike while the iron is hot’ message was about the franchise and Brunson maximizing commercial opportunities. However, that also applies to roster construction, and the Knicks have made it clear they won’t be doing this.
Team owner James Dolan has decreed the team to stay under the second apron of the salary cap, basically guaranteeing the team loses Mitchell Robinson to free agency, and potentially Landry Shamet as well.
Instead of looking to add talent to make the Knicks the first team since Durant’s Warriors to defend an NBA Championship, the Knicks are looking to find bargain deals to stay the best in the NBA.
It might not be 53 years, but Dolan’s penny-pinching right now might result in another championship wait for a city ready to remain at the mountaintop of the NBA.
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