Jalen Brunson Reveals Kobe Bryant's Impact Amid Knicks' NBA Finals Run

Many NBA players have looked to superstars, legends, and elite players who played before them as models for developing their game or mentality.

For many, including New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, the late, great Kobe Bryant is a major source of inspiration, drawing wisdom from his cold-hearted approach to basketball, where he was unfazed in high-pressure situations.

Bryant, an NBA legend and five-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, was known as an assassin of sorts in games, aiming to demoralize and destroy opposing players and teams.

He did it quite well, often drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan's ability to deliver and serving as a contrasting example when put up against LeBron James' style.

As Brunson prepares to take on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, he appeared at a media session in New York City.

He discussed how Kobe's "Mamba mentality" has influenced him and his approach to basketball.

More news: Jalen Brunson Has 1-Word Response to What NBA Scouts Missed About His Game "I haven't watched anything recently.

I think the way I carry myself and the way I do things is a credit to how I was raised by my parents.

Also, I think part of their philosophy seeps into the Mamba mentality as well, so there's a connectivity there.

I do my best to stay present in the moment.

Do the things I can to make sure my mind is right, being mentally and physically ready every day, [and] trusting my work.

That's what's gotten me here," he told reporters.

His father, former NBA guard Rick Brunson, is always nearby during games, as he's part of the Knicks coaching staff and was a major reason Jalen decided to sign with the team when the Knicks hired him in 2022.

Jalen's mother, Sandra Brunson, was a volleyball player at Temple University, where she and Rick met.

"Jalen loves the game, and I've always tried to make sure he understood what it takes to be a good player and how hard you have to work," Rick Brunson said in 2014, ahead of Jalen choosing which college to play for.

"He took the talent, and he ran with it.

He's a tremendous worker." That's clearly shown with this Knicks winning streak.

The team has steamrolled through 13 postseason games and now holds a 2-0 Finals lead against a 62-win Spurs team that features a 7-foot-4 emerging superstar often considered an alien for his unfathomable abilities on the court.

Several seasons ago, Jayson Tatum captured his first NBA championship as a member of the Boston Celtics.

He also considered Kobe a mentor and source of inspiration on his journey, showing just how impactful the Lakers star has been in shaping many of today's superstars.

Most likely, players are working to improve their skills on the basketball court now, looking to players such as two-time All-Star and potential NBA champion Jalen Brunson as models for their game.

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