​Jalen Brunson thanks the Knicks for letting him be himself in ESPY Awards speech originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.It has been a while since the New York Knicks wrapped up their championship-winning campaign. However, they are still being rightfully awarded for their success. Jalen Brunson, in particular, won an ESPY Award for his performance in the 2026 NBA Finals.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat series against the San Antonio Spurs showcased that Brunson was truly a superstar for the Knicks. He might have had some slow starts, but he was always stepping up when they needed him in the fourth quarter.The biggest reason why Brunson gets to perform is that he has the absolute freedom to do so with the Knicks. In the past, he was a backup point guard with the Dallas Mavericks, but as he progressed in New York, he proved he was a star.It is a testament to his hard work and dedication that he became the Knicks’ star. Considering he is a smaller guard, most people expect him to be a cog in the system. That was not the case because he became the foundation for the Knicks’ success.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE: How Jalen Brunson’s surgery news further boosts the meaning of the Knicks’ championshipNow, the Knicks can enjoy ending their 52-year drought, mainly because of Brunson. He capped the 2026 NBA Finals with a 45-point performance, and that will live on as one of the most legendary nights in New York sports history.”Thank you to my family for sacrificing everything day in and day out. Thank you to Jim Dolan, the entire Knicks organization, Leon, the front office, Mike Brown, and my teammates. Without them, none of this would be possible. They allow me to be me, I’m forever indebted to them,” Brunson said in his ESPY Awards speech.Now, Brunson can enjoy his time off in the summer because the Knicks are champions. He even won that title with an injured wrist, for which he had just had surgery. The job is finished in the meantime, but the Knicks will be hungry to do it again.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTyler Nickel is making a case for a Knicks roster spotAustin Reaves gives his take on why the Knicks won the championshipJordan Clarkson’s new contract with the Knicks helps them avoid a major penaltyJayson Tatum is proud of Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby winning a championshipCarmelo Anthony believes the Knicks have motivated the rest of the league