"I'm going right through the pick" - Former Super Bowl champion banters with Jalen Brunson over NBA & NFL athletes switching sports

Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce had a lighthearted but respectful discussion with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson about what would happen if NBA and NFL players swapped sports. Both agreed that the NBA is tougher, but not before cracking a few jokes.

Kelce, who played center in the NFL, joined Jalen Brunson on ESPN's Monday Night Countdown before the Falcons-Eagles game.

As Jalen Brunson explained why the NBA is more challenging, mentioning how difficult it is to guard the pick and roll, Kelce jokingly interrupted:

“I got this. I’m going to right through the pick.”

Kelce then admitted the athleticism in the NBA is at another level.

“I say this, I'm in the same boat as you, the most impressive thing I've ever done—sitting courtside on an NBA [court]. It is so astronomically mind-blowing how athletic you guys are out there, so kudos to the athleticism that's out there,” Kelce said.

This wasn’t Kelce’s first time praising the NBA. Back in May, he shared his belief that NBA star LeBron James could thrive in the NFL.

“If I was an NFL GM, and it was an option, I’d sign (LeBron James) today and within one offseason he’d be the greatest redzone threat in the NFL,” he said.

Kendrick Perkins predicts Jalen Brunson-led Knicks could be NBA's top team

Kendrick Perkins made a bold prediction for the upcoming NBA season, saying the New York Knicks could have the best record in the entire league, pointing to the positive energy and strong team chemistry within the squad.

“I think right now they got a different type of energy, a different type of family-type vibe there, and they're gonna be excited to play night in and night out,” he said.

According to ESPN BET, the Knicks are projected to win 53.5 games this season. Last year, they finished with a 50-32 record, the second-best in the Eastern Conference.

Perkins also predicted that Jalen Brunson will have an even better season than before. In 2023-24, Brunson averaged 28.7 points, 6.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds, earning his first All-Star appearance.

“They're gonna have the best record in the league. I mean, when you think about what [Brunson] did last year, best player in the Eastern Conference, he's gonna come back on a different mission,” Perkins said.

Brunson recently signed a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension with the Knicks, leaving $113 million on the table to help the team maintain financial flexibility for the future.