Jalen Brunson issues demand to Knicks ahead of NBA title defense

Hunger for success after reaching the top of the NBA will be essential to Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks’ mission to repeat as champions. Brunson is very much aware of that.

During a recent appearance on the “Road Trippin’ Show,” the former Villanova Wildcats star point guard stressed the importance of having a tougher mindset, as the Knicks look to defend their NBA title.

“We don’t want to speak of the trophy, we don’t want to talk about the trophy, we don’t want to see the trophy, right?” the 30-year-old Brunson said. “We want to come in with the same mindset if not even tougher mindset we had last year.”

The Knicks have a big target on their back after ending a 53-year title drought with one of the most memorable runs in the NBA Playoffs ever. As the reigning NBA champions, the Knicks stand to face teams that are a little more motivated to beat them.

With Brunson as the leader and a core that still features Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, New York can still feel confident that it has the right formula to at least seriously compete for another NBA championship.

The Knicks will start their title defense on Oct. 20 against the new-look Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.