If the Nets win nine championships in a row, I can see Michael Porter Jr. getting similar treatment.

If you were still wondering whether Jalen Brunson was the king of New York, I think we have our answer. Since winning the championship and becoming Finals MVP, Brunson has been everywhere. From appearing on shows like The View to becoming one of the most talked-about athletes in the country, he’s embraced his new superstar status.

However, the biggest sign of his popularity might not come from television. It comes from the streets. In New York, Brunson reportedly has the type of respect where meals are covered, doors open instantly, and he basically has an invisible key to the city.

A recent example showed the difference in status when Brunson and his wife were allowed into a club without an issue, while Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. and Nuggets’ Peyton Watson had to check in and figure out the process. Eventually, Porter and Watson were able to get in, only after “The Captain” swooped in.

That moment is both a compliment to Brunson and a reminder of the Nets’ struggle to win over the city. New York is a Knicks town. They are winning, Brunson is the face of the league, and that reality has to sting for Brooklyn. They say winning cures all, but I’m not sure Brooklyn winning anything can make them as popular as this Knicks team.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.