After a 53-year wait, the New York Knicks captured their first NBA championship, igniting celebrations across New York City with thousands of fans lining Manhattan streets for a historic ticker-tape parade.

A viral video from July 27, 2026, shows Knicks star Jalen Brunson walking past security alongside his wife at a Justin Bieber World Cup afterparty in New York City, while Brooklyn Nets star Michael Porter Jr. and his former Denver Nuggets teammate Peyton Watson were required to check the guest list at the front door.

Despite Porter Jr. earning a higher salary ($40.8 million per season) compared to Brunson ($37.7 million), Brunson has earned the rare "King of New York" status. A security guard reportedly acknowledged this distinction, noting the weight of playing for the Knicks compared to the Nets, as the Knicks are the more iconic franchise in New York lore.

Porter Jr. and Watson are both NBA champions from their 2023 title with the Denver Nuggets, but the Nets have been in rebuild mode for the past three seasons, including Porter Jr.’s first with Brooklyn during the 2025-26 campaign.

This contrast in treatment at the venue underscores the elevated status Brunson holds following the Knicks’ championship victory.

Sources