Adam Silver calls Knicks' success 'fantastic to see' and praises Jalen Brunson's contract | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is one of those who are happy that the New York Knicks are establishing themselves as competitors.

In conversation with Stefan Bondy from New York PostSilver said this about the Knicks and what their success means to the league as a whole:

“As a lifelong New Yorker, this is fantastic to see. As commissioner of the league, I of course support all teams equally. Living in New York City and walking the streets, I get a disproportionate amount of pro-Knicks comments.” All I can say is how enthusiastic the fans are in this city. I've always thought of New York City as a basketball town.

“When I talk to players around the league on other teams, many of whom are from the New York area, of course they don't want to lose to the Knicks, but they love coming to the Garden, a competitive Knicks team “The celebrities sit on the sidelines and have this special energy in the building.”

Silver also praised the Knicks and star guard Jalen Brunson for agreeing to a four-year, $156.6 million extension in July, saying:

“Compliments to the Knicks and Jalen for creating an environment he wanted to be in. If he continues to play at the level he is at he will make a huge amount of money, which is wonderful. But I think what he's done with it.” His contract is consistent with the way he leads on the field. He's made it clear to his teammates that he cares about them too, and he's also clear that he needs great players around him to compete for championships.

After showing his potential with the Dallas Mavericks, Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the Knicks in 2022.

It proved to be the best possible move for his career, as he blossomed into a star over the course of his two years in the Big Apple.

In the 2022-23 season, Brunson had what was then a career year, averaging 24.0 points, 6.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 three-pointers per game.

However, he was even better last season, averaging 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.7 three-pointers per game. As a result, he was named an All-Star for the first time and to the All-NBA Second Team and finished fifth in the NBA MVP voting.

Brunson helped the Knicks go 50-32 and reach the second round of the playoffs, where they were eliminated in seven games by the Indiana Pacers, largely due to injuries to several key players.

Rather than wait another year to sign what was likely a much larger contract extension, Brunson took a discount by signing a contract extension over the summer, allowing the Knicks to bolster an already talented core.

The Knicks were able to re-sign winger OG Anunoby and acquired another winger Mikal Bridges in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

With a roster led by Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle and Josh Hart, the Knicks are one of the deepest and most talented teams in the league.

They haven't reached the NBA Finals since 1999 and haven't won a championship since 1973, but are considered one of the top contenders to do so in 2024-25.

Defeating the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference won't be easy, but there may not be a team better equipped to do it than the Knicks.