Jalen Brunson deserves All-NBA First Team more than Luka Doncic: Stephen A. Smith

NBA

by Caroline McCarthy

Stephen A. Smith believes Jalen Brunson should have been a member of the All-NBA First Team.

Smith said Brunson, who was named to the second team this week, “deserves to be there ahead of Luka.” [Dončić]” he said, even calling the opinion “blasphemous.”

“I wasn't shocked, but I thought about it and I thought Jalen Brunson was definitely a first-team choice,” Smith said Friday on ESPN's “First Take.”

Doncic averaged 33.9 points and 9.2 rebounds while also setting career highs in assists (9.8) and steals (1.41).

Brunson received 37 first-team votes and 61 second-team votes, the highest point totals on the second team.

But originally, Smith wasn't even one of the people who voted for his first team.

“I'll be honest with you, I selected Jalen Brunson to the second team and I regret not doing so,” Smith said.

Smith added on the show that Brunson stepped up when Julius Randle suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in January, leading the Knicks with an average of 31.5 points per game.

However, ESPN commentators initially said they did not want the honor to go to Doncic or Brunson.

“My point is, I wasn't going to push him over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the league MVP to me. I had a vote. I voted for him,” Smith said.

The Thunder point guard averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 53.5 percent from the field during the regular season.

“Words can't overstate what Gilgeous-Alexander has accomplished as he plays for the second-youngest team in the league, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and has scored 30 or more points in 50 games this year.”

But Smith said Brunson is more impressive than other contenders given the Knicks' devastating situation after injuries.

“I know how good Luka Doncic is, but when you look at Kyrie and the other guys, I don't think Jalen Brunson had that kind of support. Looking back, I think he deserved to be on the first team.”