New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is firmly rejecting the “King of New York” title recently bestowed upon him by city officials following the team’s historic championship run.
Despite leading the franchise to its first NBA title in 53 years, the Finals MVP said he finds the moniker self-centered and prefers to focus on the work required for the upcoming season. During a recent appearance on the “Road Trippin’” podcast with former NBA players Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Kendrick Perkins, Brunson addressed the growing buzz surrounding his status in the city.
The three-time All-Star made it clear that while fans and politicians may use the label, it will never come from his own mouth. “I’ve never called myself the king of New York. I will never call myself the king of New York,” Brunson said. He explained that adopting such a title would make him appear arrogant to his peers and the public, adding, “You guys are going to look like, ‘What the fuck, this dude is so self-centered.’”
The nickname gained significant traction at City Hall last month. Mayor Zohran Mamdani officially declared Brunson “the king” during a city-sponsored youth event at Inwood Hill Park on Aug. 28. Mamdani previously presented the point guard with the Keys to the City following a victory parade in June, which celebrated the Knicks’ five-game series win over the San Antonio Spurs. Brunson’s performance in the 2026 Finals cemented his place in New York sports lore, joining the ranks of legends like Derek Jeter and Eli Manning. The 30-year-old guard averaged 32.6 points and 4.6 assists during the series, punctuated by a 45-point performance in the clinching Game 5.
Despite the accolades, Brunson said the team is determined to move past the celebration to focus on a title defense. The Knicks are attempting to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the Golden State Warriors accomplished the feat in 2018. “We don’t want to speak of the trophy, we don’t talk about the trophy, we don’t want to see the trophy,” Brunson said regarding the team’s mindset for the 2026-27 season.
He emphasized that the roster needs to maintain a “tougher mindset” than they had during their championship campaign to avoid complacency. While the city remains in a state of “Knick-mania”—evidenced by a recent Mayor Mamdani look-alike contest in Washington Square Park—Brunson remains intent on distancing himself from the royal branding.
For the man who ended the city’s half-century drought, the work on the court takes precedence over any crown.
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