For the fourth consecutive year, Flashscore has unveiled its ranking of the NBA’s Top 100 players ahead of the new season. Coming in at No. 5 is Jalen Brunson, who has reached the summit of basketball by winning an NBA championship and earning the Finals MVP award. Now, the New York Knicks star faces perhaps his toughest challenge yet: keeping his team on top.

Being selected in the second round of the NBA Draft is no barrier to building a legendary career. Nikola Jokic has proved that beyond doubt, but Brunson’s own rise to the top was far from inevitable. Selected 33rd overall in 2018, he has now become the leading figure on a championship-winning team — an extraordinary achievement in itself.

His success carries even greater significance because he has helped restore one of basketball’s most historic franchises to glory. The New York Knicks, who had not won a championship since 1973 or reached the NBA Finals in the 21st century, have finally returned to the summit of the league.

Building a championship contender required a talented roster, with Brunson’s team-friendly contract playing an important role in making the project possible. Despite his status as the Finals MVP, his relatively modest salary compared with other elite stars remains an underappreciated part of the Knicks’ success.

However, after winning both a championship and the Finals MVP award, Brunson may discover that the real challenge is only just beginning. Successfully defending an NBA title is one of the toughest tasks in professional basketball. The Golden State Warriors were the last team to win consecutive championships, completing their back-to-back triumph in 2017 and 2018.

Since then, several contenders have attempted to repeat that achievement. The Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder all had the potential to establish a dynasty, but none managed to defend their crown.

Brunson now faces a challenge worthy of his growing reputation. To keep the Knicks at the top, he will need to raise his game even further. Improving his scoring numbers and shooting efficiency will be important, but his leadership could prove even more decisive.

Championship success often brings new expectations and individual ambitions within a team. Brunson must ensure that the Knicks remain united and focused while helping his teammates navigate the pressure that comes with being defending champions.

The expectations extend beyond the court, too. New York is a city hungry for sustained success, and its basketball fans will demand more than a single championship celebration. With Brunson leading the way, the Knicks will be aiming to prove that their title victory was the beginning of a new era rather than a one-season achievement.

Could another three-letter award — MVP — be waiting for Brunson at the end of the journey?

2025/26 season statistics: 26 points per game on 46.7% shooting, including 36.9% from three-point range, and 6.8 assists across 74 appearances.

2026/27 target: 30 points and nine assists per game, alongside a serious push to become an NBA MVP candidate.