As the new NBA season approaches, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart are drawing inspiration from various sources, including a surprising endorsement from NFL icon Tom Brady, in their bid to lead the New York Knicks all the way to a championship for the first time in more than five decades.

Brady recently joined Brunson and Hart on their “Roommates” podcast. During the conversation, Brady shared his thoughts on the similarities between winning a Super Bowl and making it to the NBA Finals.

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Brady‘s words of encouragement came at a crucial time for the Knicks. He expressed confidence in Brunson and Hart‘s ability to steer the team towards breaking their decades-long title drought, a vote of confidence that could energize the Knicks‘ push for success this season.

“To win the Super Bowl is like getting to the [NBA] Finals,” he noted.

“It’s hard to get there, but once you get there. You got to really compete.

“I have a feeling you’re gonna get there.”

Brunson cemented his place in Knicks history this summer by guiding the team to their first second-round playoff appearance since 1999/00.

Following the season, he made headlines by accepting a substantial pay cut on his new contract, driven by his desire to bring a championship to New York.

“I think about every decision that I make and I’m completely comfortable with what I’ve done,” Brunson said.

“Obviously I’m well off, myself and my family, we’re obviously well off, so that’s first and foremost. But I want to win. I want to win here.”

Brunson agreed to a team-friendly deal with the Knicks, signing a four-year contract worth $156.5 million.

By doing so, he passed up the opportunity to become a free agent next summer, where he could have re-signed with the Knicks for five years and $269.1 million-$112.5 million more.