Follow us on Google Discover New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani gave Jalen Brunson a massive shoutout when a child told him he should become a king.
Mamdani has been making headlines since becoming the Mayor of New York City, as his short tenure in the position has already brought prosperity to the city.
The biggest example of this is New York ending its 53-year wait for an NBA Championship within months of Mamdani becoming the Mayor, with the credit for that falling on Brunson’s shoulders.
Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor, Jalen Brunson is the King
Mamdani was roasting marshmallows with constituents in a park when a child told him he could become a king after being the mayor, with Mamdani humbly rejecting the title and giving it to Brunson.
“I’m happy as the mayor. Jalen Brunson is the king.”
Child: It’s the mayor.
Mamdani: *laughs*
Child: What? You are the mayor. You could become the king.
Mamdani: I’m happy as the mayor. Jalen Brunson is the king. pic.twitter.com/nh2AHCLQVs
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 29, 2026
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Brunson has been nicknamed the King of New York City after leading the Knicks to an incredible championship win.
His clutch shot-making and incredible leadership brought a fierce Knicks starting five together to win the Championship and immortalise themselves as New York legends.
Brunson averaged 26.0 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in the regular season and 28.4 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in the Playoffs.
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He averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.2 rebounds in the NBA Finals to win Finals MVP, with his 45-point Game 5 performance being among the best closeout performances in modern NBA history.
‘The King’ Jalen Brunson will have to defend his throne
The Knicks’ championship win has caused massive offseason changes in the Eastern Conference, with multiple teams adding elite talent to try and take the title away from New York.
The biggest example of this is the Philadelphia 76ers, who added another ‘king’ in LeBron James, alongside former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown over the summer to give Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid more firepower in their quest for a title.
Photo by NDZ/Star Max/GC Images
The Miami Heat are looking to re-establish themselves as contenders after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, while the Toronto Raptors are hoping to re-enter the conversation after the Kawhi Leonard trade goes through.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have made savvy moves like adding Peyton Watson after missing out on LeBron, while other teams like the Hawks, Magic, Celtics, Pistons, and more are still factors to worry about.
The Knicks and Brunson have their work cut out for them, but one cannot be a king if they cannot defend the throne they sit on.
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