Patrick Beverley believes Jalen Brunson’s championship-winning season has pushed him ahead of Allen Iverson in the all-time rankings, making a case that would have sounded unthinkable just a few years ago.
Brunson etched his name into New York Knicks history by leading the franchise to its first NBA championship in 53 years, guiding the team past the San Antonio Spurs in five games during the 2026 NBA Finals.
The title run has inevitably sparked debates about Brunson’s place among the greatest guards of his generation, and Beverley offered a particularly bold take when asked to compare him to one of the NBA’s most iconic figures.
Patrick Beverley explains why he would take Brunson over Allen Iverson
Appearing on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Beverley was asked a straightforward question: Allen Iverson or Jalen Brunson?
The veteran guard did not need much time to think about his answer.
“In my opinion, between Allen Iverson and Jalen Brunson? I think you have to go Jalen Brunson. I’m being honest. It’s no discredit to anything Allen Iverson has done.”
While Beverley was careful to acknowledge Iverson’s accomplishments, he believes Brunson’s ability to lead a team all the way to a championship changes the conversation.
Iverson remains one of the most influential players in NBA history and carried the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals during his MVP season in 2001. Beverley, however, sees Brunson’s recent achievements as enough to put him ahead in the debate.
Why Victor Wembanyama played a role in Beverley’s argument
Beverley pointed to more than just the championship ring when explaining his position. He also highlighted Brunson’s performances against Victor Wembanyama, who many already regard as one of the league’s most disruptive defensive players.
The Spurs star was at the centre of San Antonio’s Finals run, yet Beverley believes Brunson repeatedly found ways to make winning plays against a defender unlike anything the NBA has seen before.
“But you talk about small guards getting it done. He led his team, he made plays against arguably one of the best defenders to ever play the game in Wemby. We’ve never seen a defender like him at that size, that mobile.”
Beverley then pointed to one statistic that stood out above all others.
“In the fourth quarter, that’s the matchup he scored the most on.”
Not everyone will agree that Brunson has already surpassed a Hall of Famer and former MVP like Iverson. But after ending the Knicks’ five-decade wait for a championship, Beverley clearly believes the conversation has changed.
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