The start of the 2025-26 season for the New York Knicks told a very different story. Third place in the East, an NBA Cup already in the trophy case, and a widespread sense of solidity. January, however, changed the script: 3 wins and 7 losses over the last 10 games, declining performances, and the first narrative cracks forming around the team’s leader.

Reigniting the debate was Paul Pierce, who on the Ticket & The Truth podcast offered a rather blunt take:

Brunson is the best player on the Knicks, but I don’t think his teammates enjoy playing with him. There are a lot of weapons, yet the offense is too inconsistent.

Paul Pierce

A strong statement – one that deserves proper context.

Brunson shines, but the offense is less convincing

On an individual level, Jalen Brunson is once again having an elite season: 27.9 points and 6.1 assists per game over 39 contests, numbers that earned him a starting spot at the 2026 Eastern Conference All-Star Game. Production, leadership, and consistency do not appear to be lacking.

Pierce’s concern instead focuses on offensive distribution. Players like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, both proven double-digit scorers over the course of their careers, are sometimes perceived as “spectators” in an offense too heavily centered on the ball in Brunson’s hands.

A legitimate point – but one that doesn’t capture the full picture.

The numbers say otherwise: the supporting cast is delivering

Beyond perceptions, the data tells a different story. Alongside Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Bridges, Anunoby, Miles McBride, and Josh Hart are all averaging double figures in scoring. Both Bridges and Anunoby are also within three points of their career averages, a sign that offensive involvement is real and far from marginal.

If there is an issue, it seems more connected to overall offensive fluidity than to genuine locker-room discontent.

There’s also a frequently overlooked detail in this debate. After a heavy double-digit loss to the Dallas Mavericks, it was Brunson himself who called a players-only meeting – a leader’s move, not that of a ball-dominant ego.

The on-court response came immediately: +54 against the Brooklyn Nets just a few days later. Coincidence? Maybe. A signal? Hard to ignore.

The context of the losses reshapes the narrative

Another crucial factor: Brunson was not on the floor for losses against the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, and he played fewer than five minutes in the defeat against the Sacramento Kings. Placing the team’s entire downturn on his offensive management therefore risks becoming an oversimplification.

The real question isn’t whether Brunson is the problem, but whether the Knicks have already found the right balance between talent, hierarchy, and consistency. With the All-Star Weekend approaching, there is still plenty of room for adjustments.