Stephen A. Smith turns on Jalen Brunson after Knicks Game 3 loss: Playing to win MVP

Stephen A.Smith was quite critical of Jalen Brunson after the Knicks fell to the Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night.Despite Brunson’s 32 points, Smith thought Brunson was too selfish and didn’t get his teammates — like Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart — involved in the offense nearly enough in the 115-111 defeat.“We know who Jalen Brunson is and what he represents, but tonight it looked like he was playing to be an MVP rather than playing to win Game 3,” Smith said on ESPN after the game.Smith cited that Towns only attempted 10 shots and even though Hart was hitting 3s in the first half, he didn’t get many shots in the second half.He also noted that OG Anunoby had 28 points, while adding that Brunson was relying on himself too much.“How do you not find OG Anunoby more considering the level of accuracy and efficiency that he was showing and that you’re not showing if you’re Jalen Brunson in this series?” Smith said.

Some Knicks fans, though, took to X to voice their displeasure with Smith’s remarks and defend the player who has led the franchise to the brink of an NBA championship.“Disagree completely here.Brunson has carried this team on his back all postseason — one rough shooting night where the Spurs completely threw the kitchen sink at him doesn’t mean he was ‘playing for MVP.’ He missed shots he usually makes.

He’ll bounce back in Game 4,” X user @HUkpong55415 posted.“Stephen A when a star scores 35 in a loss: he was chasing MVP.When they score 15 in a win: he needed to be more aggressive,” X user @AdeRunsAds posted.

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