Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart Are Using the New York Spotlight to Expand

Working in the Big Apple affords one some of life's greatest luxuries, but sometimes it's the subtler, quieter moments that are truly the gift of New York City.

"I actually walked here today," says Jalen Brunson, the city's most popular athlete since the heydays of Carmelo Anthony and Eli Manning. "Like three blocks."

The last detail draws an aggressive eye roll from Jalen's most demonstrative partner in crime, his former college roommate Josh Hart.

Hart is the self proclaimed "Duke of Manhattan" to Jalen's King of New York. The hard nosed guard turned power forward won over the hearts of New Yorkers with his valiant playoff performances. His tenacity on the court helped him out rebound Joel Embiid over the course of their Round 1 playoff series despite standing at a generously listed 6 feet 4 inches. His passion and competitiveness saw him average 47.4 minutes per game over a seven-game playoff stretch, a stretch that featured four games where he played every second of the game, including a heartbreaking overtime loss.

Together, Josh and Jalen are every bit former college roommates who just so happened to end up at the same Fortune 500 company together in adulthood. There's a dash of boyish, immaturity that comes with the familiarity of a decade plus of friendship. They snicker at each other's answers as they're interviewed at a party to celebrate the launch of their collaboration with Macy's x Mode of One, a line of selects for the menswear brand. But they also approach the evening with the maturity and professionalism of two married men closing in on their 30s and starting families.

"Being in New York definitely helps," Hart says about the newfound off the court opportunities coming the duo's way. "Being able to capitalize on things off the court, it's huge. Especially in New York. This market has been amazing and it's something that we always have to look forward to."

Their first venture has been their loudest and funniest, their podcast The Roommates Show. Hosted with Hart's high school friend Matt Hillman, the duo's second gig almost never got going because their full time gig took a turn for the worst.

"There was this one month where me and Josh contemplating throwing it all out the window because we weren't playing well," Brunson reveals. "We started the podcast, I think we went 0 and 3 or 0 and 4 the first four games and people were saying, 'Cut the podcast, cut the podcast.' But I think it's worked out."

Worked out it has, with nearly 500,000 followers across social media and millions of views, the podcast has revealed the true personalities of the duo to their biggest fans. Roommates even hosted its first live show this summer, the Roommates Show Block Party on location in Central Park. A location befitting for the King and Duke of the city.

"I didn't think it would actually be as of a hit as it was and it was phenomenal , I'm ready to do it again for sure," Jalen says of the show, which featured appearances from Jon Stewart, new teammate Mikal Bridges and more.

"It was something that came to Jalen's mind and that we were able to really put into fruition," adds Josh. "So it was dope and can't wait to do it again."

Even with that increased visibility, Josh and Jalen remain Josh and Jalen through and through. Humble, playful and the focus is always on basketball.

"I think being in New York definitely helps (with off the court opportunities)," Jalen admits. "Obviously playing for the Knicks and having a couple of good seasons here (helps). But it's all about the work we put on the court and as long as we win, as long as we do stuff like that, individual stuff like this comes about. And so it's been an honor, it's been a blessing."

Next for them is the most New York endeavor ever: fashion. The duo is back in the city on New York Fashion Week celebrating just that. Their collection with Macy's x Mode of One is sleek, simple and cozy, the perfect compliment to their hard work on the court and relaxing life off. At the party at New York's Classic Car Club the collection sits on mannequins alongside Ferraris and Porsches. A dash of simplicity alongside a bright splash of luxury. A trademark New York mix for the two most New York Knicks in decades.

"I think I can speak for Jalen and myself is we love Mode of One just because it's clean," Josh says while rocking a jersey from the collection with the words New York stitched across the chest, of course. "The pieces are very detail oriented, it's timeless and I think that's the biggest thing. They didn't do too much, but they did enough. And the clothes really speaks for themselves and especially guys that like us, we love to look good and we always do the motto look good, feel good, play good. And Mode of One definitely fits the motive of that.

"Mode of One is something that really gels with me well because I am a person who likes to look good, feel good, and dress good," Jalen added. "I think Mode of One is perfect for my style and you can kind of create any style that you want to wear with it. And so it's perfect for me."

And this duo is perfect for New York City.