Jalen Brunson's historic championship run with the New York Knicks has officially rewritten the franchise's hierarchy — at least in the eyes of a former star who wore the blue and orange. Amar'e Stoudemire, the six-time All-NBA big man who spent five seasons in New York, dropped a list that's already igniting debates across the basketball world.
Appearing on the show Speakeasy with Emmanuel Acho and LeSean McCoy, Stoudemire named his top five Knicks of all time, and the No. 1 choice stunned many: Jalen Brunson.
“I’ll put Brunson at one. I’ll put Clyde Frazier at two … Pat Ewing at three, Willis Reed at four, and Bernard King at five,” Stoudemire declared.
Brunson, who just led the Knicks to their first title in decades, earned Finals MVP and Eastern Conference Finals MVP along the way. His resume now includes three All-Star selections, three All-NBA nods, and a ring — credentials that Stoudemire believes vault him past legends like Walt Frazier (seven All-Star, two titles) and Patrick Ewing (11-time All-Star, Hall of Famer).
The list sparked immediate reaction, especially given the absence of other iconic names. But Stoudemire stood by his choices, pointing to Brunson's transformative impact and leadership during the championship run. The decision echoes the recent Stephen A. Smith admission that he lost faith in the Knicks before the title win — a reminder of how quickly narratives shift.
Stoudemire, who will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame this summer, played alongside some of these greats or competed against them. He spent 14 seasons in the NBA with the Suns, Knicks, Mavericks, and Heat, earning five All-NBA selections. His perspective carries weight among New York faithful.
In a separate interview with TMZ, Stoudemire also jumped to the defense of pop superstar Taylor Swift, who has faced skepticism over her Knicks fandom. “She’s a Knicks fan from my understanding!” Stoudemire said. “Back when I played we had a great friendship, she was able to come to Knicks practice, we took her through the basketball court … and sat down and had a beautiful conversation with her and her family. It was a great time. I think, honestly, she’s a Knicks fan.”
Stoudemire’s top five slots Willis Reed — the two-time champion and two-time Finals MVP — at No. 4, and Bernard King, the 1984 scoring champ, at No. 5. The omission of names like Carmelo Anthony, Earl Monroe, or Bill Bradley will fuel barbershop chatter for weeks.
With the Knicks back on top, debates over the greatest to ever do it in New York are only heating up. Stoudemire’s bold choice of Brunson as No. 1 ensures that conversation will include a modern hero who delivered the ultimate prize.
