NBA Legend Says Jalen Brunson Is "Not a Superstar" as Fanatics Fest Moment Sparks Chaos

Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks are on top of the basketball world after winning the 2026 NBA Finals. Brunson, in particular, is at an all-time high because not only has he become a fan favorite in the league, but he has ascended to superstardom in sports in general.

Despite recently winning the Best Men's Sports Athlete and Best NBA Player ESPY awards, NBA legend Gilbert Arenas isn't sold on the idea that Brunson is a superstar. Arenas noted that the Knicks star isn't as marketable as other superstars like Stephen Curry and LeBron James. Gil also noted how Brunson has yet to have his own signature shoes.

"So, Jalen Brunson is not a superstar?" Gil's Arena co-host Josiah Johnson asked Arenas during a segment at Fanatics Fest NYC.

"No," Arenas responded. "But he could be. ... Do you have the Jalen Brunson shoes? They're Kobes. ... (LeBron James) sold $50 million jerseys the day they released it. That is a superstar."

While there is some truth to Arenas' sentiments, he failed to look at Brunson's circumstances and the analytics. In terms of shoes, the Knicks star was previously offered a signature shoe by Nike, but turned it down. He instead wanted an unlimited supply of Kobes for the rest of his career.

As for the jersey sales, according to the NBA's official merchandise sales data, Brunson currently has the third-best-selling jersey in the league.

It's also worth mentioning that his game-worn jersey from Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals was sold at an auction for a record $1.02 million.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to preferences. While many believe that Brunson is deserving of the superstar title, it doesn't mean that others like Arenas would view him in the same manner.

Clip of Gilbert Arenas Bowing Down to Jalen Brunson Resurfaces After His Hot Take at Fanatics Fest

Despite Gilbert Arenas questioning Jalen Brunson's superstardom in his recent appearance at Fanatics Fest NYC, the NBA legend seemed to have forgotten the time he gave the New York Knicks star his flowers.

During Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals, Arenas and his podcast co-host, Josiah Johnson, watched the game live. In one of the final few moments of the fourth quarter, Brunson hit a huge mid-range jumper over Devin Vassell with only 37.8 seconds remaining.

It was a crucial shot for the Knicks as JB extended their lead to 101-95.

Arenas couldn't believe what he witnessed as he removed his cap and started waving it, as if blowing off fire, while staring at the screen. The NBA legend then bowed and praised Brunson for his gutsy performance.

"Brunson, sir. Brunson, you are a champion," Arenas then began bowing down after.

Fans on social media buzzed as they roasted Arenas for having contradictory thoughts about Brunson.

The irony cuts even deeper when you zoom out. Brunson averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.2 rebounds across the Finals series, and became just the fourth player in NBA history, alongside Michael Jordan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bob Pettit, to score at least 45 points in a closeout game in the NBA Finals.

He did all of that while sharing the floor with a 7-foot-4 opponent in Victor Wembanyama, who was specifically assigned to guard him, and he broke that code anyway.

This isn't even the first time Arenas has tried to move the goalposts on Brunson. Back in 2024, Arenas said Brunson would "never be coined a superstar until he starts winning a championship" and that he needed more personality. Brunson went ahead and won the championship.

Then the Finals MVP. Then showed up at Fanatics Fest with a WWE title belt and a smile. Now the bar has shifted to sneakers.