Exclusive: Knicks Fan Seeks Jalen Brunson On Lady Liberty Statue

Hugo van Dijk

4 min read

Post on May 15, 2025

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The Fan's Obsessive Devotion to Jalen Brunson

Meet Barry “The Brunsonator” Bernstein, a 37-year-old accountant from Queens with an unparalleled devotion to Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks. Barry’s passion isn't just casual fandom; it's a full-blown obsession. He religiously attends every Knicks home game, religiously watches every game he can and knows the stats, the plays, and the history of every player, even if their time with the team was brief. His dedication to Jalen Brunson specifically blossomed after Brunson’s game-winning shot against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 Playoffs.

• Years of attending games: Barry boasts a near-perfect attendance record for Knicks home games spanning over a decade.
• Extensive Jalen Brunson memorabilia collection: His apartment is a shrine to all things Brunson, complete with signed jerseys, basketballs, trading cards, and even a life-size cardboard cutout.
• Social media activity demonstrating their fandom: His Twitter feed (@BrunsonatorBarry) is a constant stream of Brunson praise, game analysis, and witty #JalenBrunson memes.
• Previous attempts to meet Brunson: He’s camped outside Madison Square Garden, hoping to catch a glimpse of his hero, even sending hand-written letters expressing his deep admiration. Nothing, however, compared to his latest endeavor.

The Implausible Plan: Scaling Lady Liberty to Find Jalen Brunson

Barry's latest attempt to meet his idol was, to put it mildly, unconventional. His plan: scale the Statue of Liberty, believing that, somehow, Jalen Brunson might be enjoying a private tour. The logic? Let's just say it involved a misinterpretation of a rather cryptic social media post by Brunson himself (or so Barry claims).

• Details about the "plan": Barry envisioned a daring nighttime climb, utilizing a (surprisingly realistic-looking) homemade grappling hook and a pair of custom-made climbing shoes adorned with Knicks logos.
• Any preparation involved: He spent weeks studying the layout of Lady Liberty, even creating a detailed scale model, complete with miniature Jalen Brunson figurines strategically placed throughout.
• Reactions from friends and family: His friends thought he'd lost it, his mother was praying for his safety, and his therapist scheduled an emergency session.

The (Unsuccessful) Search and its Aftermath

Barry’s attempt at reaching Lady Liberty's crown was cut short, thankfully, before he even reached the base. A park ranger, alerted by a suspicious-looking grappling hook dangling from a nearby tree, apprehended Barry before he could even begin his ascent. The ensuing interrogation involved a surprisingly detailed explanation of Jalen Brunson's offensive strategies and a heartfelt rendition of the Knicks' fight song.

• A step-by-step account of their attempt: Barry’s climb began with a confident stride, quickly descending into a comical struggle with a rogue pigeon and an unexpected encounter with a rather large squirrel.
• Any interactions with security or law enforcement: The park ranger, initially amused, ended up filing a trespassing report while promising Barry to not reveal the story to the press. However, Barry's own social media activity eventually caused a minor media storm.
• The fan's reaction to the failed attempt: While disappointed, Barry maintains that the whole experience was “worth it,” adding that "I’m just hoping Jalen will see this! I'm still the biggest Jalen Brunson fan out there."

Social Media Reaction and Viral Fame

News of Barry’s audacious attempt spread like wildfire across social media. #BrunsonatorBarry became a trending topic on Twitter, with a mixture of amusement, disbelief, and admiration.

• Examples of tweets, posts, or comments: Tweets ranged from "This guy is dedicated!" to "Someone needs to get this guy tickets to the next Knicks game!"
• The overall reaction of the internet: The internet largely celebrated Barry's outlandish dedication and sense of humor.
• Any media coverage the story received: Several sports websites and blogs picked up the story, further catapulting Barry and his quest to meet Jalen Brunson into internet fame.

Conclusion

Barry “The Brunsonator” Bernstein's journey to meet Jalen Brunson, involving a daring (and ultimately unsuccessful) climb of the Statue of Liberty, highlights the extraordinary lengths to which some fans will go for their idols. While Jalen Brunson might not reside atop Lady Liberty, this humorous tale showcases the unparalleled dedication of a true New York Knicks fan. While we don't condone climbing national monuments, we can't help but admire Barry's unwavering passion for Jalen Brunson. Share this hilarious tale of a die-hard Knicks fan’s unwavering dedication to Jalen Brunson! Let us know in the comments what crazy things you've done for your favorite basketball player! #JalenBrunson #Knicks #NBA #LadyLiberty #FunnyStory #BrunsonatorBarry