THE HERD – Hour 2 – Top 10 NBA Players To Build Around, Nick Wright Says Jalen Brunson Is Underrated

Nick Wright delivers a blistering defense of Jalen Brunson as the NBA's most underrated superstar, arguing that the Knicks' championship run was built entirely on Brunson's relentless, clutch performances—despite his size, draft profile, and lack of traditional star power. He dismantles the notion that Brunson belongs only at #9 on a top-10 list, calling it a 'slap in the face' to a player who led the league in playoff wins, points per game, and 30/40-point games over the last four years. Wright contrasts Brunson’s proven championship mettle with the perceived 'potential' of younger players like Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flagg, accusing the media of over-glorifying Wembanyama’s early promise while ignoring his Finals collapse and arrogance. He also challenges the idea that Giannis Antetokounmpo is a better franchise cornerstone than Brunson, citing the Knicks’ 53-year title drought and their immediate transformation under Brunson’s leadership. The episode becomes a full-throated argument that legacy, durability, and impact matter more than draft position, size, or aesthetics—especially when a player delivers when it matters most.