PJ Tucker names Jalen Brunson better than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after back-to-back MVPs

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s back-to-back MVP credentials took another hit on Tuesday when PJ Tucker named Jalen Brunson the superior player after both point guards lifted their teams to championships.

What happened?

Over the past two seasons, Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder each led their franchises to titles. Brunson’s 2024 Knicks ended a 52-year drought, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2025 Thunder claimed Oklahoma City’s first crown since the Seattle Supersonics days in 1979. The back-to-back MVPs for Gilgeous-Alexander only sharpened the debate over who ranks higher among the league’s elite guards.

Why Tucker sides with Brunson

PJ Tucker, a former NBA champion, made his pick clear on Club 520’s show at Fanatics Fest. “I’m rolling with JB for sure,” he said. “JB’s so clutch, bro. It ain’t even like I think he’s like a 90s era player, bro... He don’t talk a lot, and he don’t going to do too much, but everybody like when you on his team and you on the bench, you over there like he’s getting the ball, bro.” Tucker praised Brunson’s knack for delivering in crunch time, a trait that mirrors Gilgeous-Alexander’s own clutch reputation.

The counterpoint: Gilgeous-Alexander’s case

Tucker’s argument ignores Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic back-to-back MVP run. The Thunder superstar became just the fifth player in NBA history to win consecutive MVPs, joining the likes of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 6’6” frame and two-way dominance set him apart from Brunson’s 6’1” build, yet both operate as primary playmakers who elevate their teammates.

Where the debate stands now

The conversation flared after both point guards starred in their title runs. Brunson’s efficiency and poise under pressure drew praise, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s all-around production-including 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game in 2025-kept him in the MVP conversation. Tucker’s take adds fuel to a rivalry that figures to define the next chapter of the NBA’s point guard era.

And the chatter isn’t fading. Max Kellerman recently argued Brunson would have steered the Thunder past the Spurs in a hypothetical matchup, stoking fresh debate over who truly holds the edge.