Jalen Brunson's memory of the Knicks' 1999 Finals lineup is pretty much spot on
The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs rekindling their rivalry in the NBA Cup Final naturally evoked memories of the 1999 NBA Finals, the last time these two franchises clashed with a trophy on the line. Before Jalen Brunson led New York to victory in Las Vegas on Tuesday night, he was put to the test regarding that specific slice of franchise history. Despite being just shy of three years old when the lockout-shortened 1999 season concluded, the Knicks captain proved his knowledge of the organization’s lore is nearly as sharp as his footwork.
During media availability ahead of the NBA Cup showdown, Brunson was challenged to name the starting five from that gritty ’99 squad. While he needed a moment to cycle through the roster, his first answer was immediate and self-deprecatingly accurate: "Not Rick Brunson." His father and current Knicks assistant coach was indeed on that team, but Jalen correctly noted that the elder Brunson was strictly a reserve, logging less than 10 seconds of playing time in the entire series against the Spurs.
Once the family humor was out of the way, Brunson successfully rattled off the icons of that era. He quickly identified Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell, the dynamic wing duo that powered the eighth-seeded Knicks on their miraculous playoff run, alongside the legendary Larry Johnson at power forward. The center position was a split duty between Marcus Camby and Chris Dudley following Patrick Ewing’s injury, a nuance Brunson navigated well.
The only stumble came at point guard. Brunson needed a slight nudge to recall the floor general of that era, but a single clue—"Heisman Trophy winner"—was all it took for him to shout out Charlie Ward. The moment highlighted more than just trivia knowledge; it underscored Brunson's deep reverence for the jersey he wears. By bridging the gap between the "miracle" team of the past and his current squad, Brunson showed he understands the weight of the legacy he is now actively reshaping. With the NBA Cup now secured, he has finally added a new chapter to the history books he clearly knows so well.
During media availability ahead of the NBA Cup showdown, Brunson was challenged to name the starting five from that gritty ’99 squad. While he needed a moment to cycle through the roster, his first answer was immediate and self-deprecatingly accurate: "Not Rick Brunson." His father and current Knicks assistant coach was indeed on that team, but Jalen correctly noted that the elder Brunson was strictly a reserve, logging less than 10 seconds of playing time in the entire series against the Spurs.
Once the family humor was out of the way, Brunson successfully rattled off the icons of that era. He quickly identified Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell, the dynamic wing duo that powered the eighth-seeded Knicks on their miraculous playoff run, alongside the legendary Larry Johnson at power forward. The center position was a split duty between Marcus Camby and Chris Dudley following Patrick Ewing’s injury, a nuance Brunson navigated well.
The only stumble came at point guard. Brunson needed a slight nudge to recall the floor general of that era, but a single clue—"Heisman Trophy winner"—was all it took for him to shout out Charlie Ward. The moment highlighted more than just trivia knowledge; it underscored Brunson's deep reverence for the jersey he wears. By bridging the gap between the "miracle" team of the past and his current squad, Brunson showed he understands the weight of the legacy he is now actively reshaping. With the NBA Cup now secured, he has finally added a new chapter to the history books he clearly knows so well.
