Jalen Brunson’s humility is a contradiction. On one hand, he’s a cold-blooded, clutch-time killer on the court. He wants the ball, he wants the shot. And more often than not, Brunson’s gonna make it. You need outsized confidence to succeed in that role. Real chutzpah. Think about Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. Or how about a more recent example, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander? 

They’re all comfortable discussing their own greatness, and if that’s questioned, the punishment is a 40-point assault. 

But Brunson doesn’t outwardly project such confidence. He’s the opposite, actually. 

“No. 1, I’m not a star,” Brunson said Wednesday when reminded that other “stars” don’t as easily defer to teammates. “And No. 2, I want to win.”