Mike Breen compares Jalen Brunson’s mental toughness to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant

Jalen Brunson has led the Knicks to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. According to longtime Knicks and ESPN broadcaster Mike Breen, that’s no accident.

Speaking to Steve Serby of the New York Post, Breen praised Brunson’s mindset and toughness, placing him in rare company when discussing the qualities that have helped transform New York into a championship contender.

“He has an iron will,” Breen said. “He’s not tall, he’s not fast, he’s not overly athletic. But he’s one of the mentally strongest players I’ve ever been around.”

Breen then referenced two of the greatest players in NBA history.

“They talk about Michael Jordan, they talk about Kobe Bryant … in terms of mental toughness, I’d put him up there with anybody.”

Brunson has delivered one of the best postseason runs in franchise history, helping guide the Knicks past the Cavaliers and into the Finals against the Spurs.

His rise has been remarkable.

After spending the first four seasons of his career in Dallas, Brunson signed with New York in 2022 and quickly developed into the face of the franchise. Four years later, he has the Knicks four wins away from their first championship since 1973.

Breen told the Post that Brunson has already earned consideration among the greatest players in franchise history, regardless of how the Finals unfold.

The All-Star guard is also making a bit of family history.

Brunson and his father, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, became the first father-son duo to appear in the NBA Finals for the same franchise. Rick Brunson was a member of New York’s 1999 Finals team that, coincidentally, also faced San Antonio.

This time around, the spotlight belongs to his son.

And according to Breen, few players are better equipped to handle it.