The Jalen Pipeline. At some point in the late 90’s / early 2000’s, Earth’s most athletic couples who had genes that surely would lead to a future NBA star, must have had a secret underground meeting, and all collectively agreed to name their future children Jalen/Jaylen.
There is literally no other explanation. The evidence is overwhelming as the NBA regular season wraps up and the media starts firing off their end-of-season awards.
I was going to use this post to announce MY 2026 award winners, but this discovery came across my desk in the process, and I had to get this news out quick.
If you were to take a glance at this year’s top candidates for All-NBA teams / awards, across the board of candidates for this year’s awards / All-NBA teams, you would notice one thing is very clear.
The top of the league is absolutely flooded with Jalens / Jaylens. They are not coming. They are already here.
I mean really.
Jaylen Brown was an MVP candidate after keeping the Celtics more than afloat despite Tatum missing majority of the year.
Jalen Johnson SHOULD win Most Improved after taking a giant leap, becoming the obvious franchise guy in Atlanta and running Trae out of town. If it’s not him winning Most Improved, then my vote would go to a fellow Jalen, Jalen Duren, as he also takes a leap and becomes a strong #2 option as the shock of the season Detroit Pistons take lead of the East.
In between Jalen and Jalen’s teams, is another Jalen ready to feast in the East. Jalen Brunson remains a great player on a competing New York Knicks team hoping to make a run in the ‘yoffs.
With all this being said, there is 10000% a world where all 4 of these guys are All-NBA players this year, and honestly I would be shocked if it’s not the case. You could say Duren is a big question mark here, but as a man who loves tradition in All-NBA team voting, I could see others thinking this way as well and keeping each All-NBA team to just 1 center, 2 guards, and 2 forwards (like God intended). I think this even more so opens the door for Duren to sneak in as he and KAT would duel it out for that 3rd Team spot.
They are even growing. Getting stronger. Jaden McDaniels continues to take leaps. Jalen Green is thriving in Phoenix. Jalen Suggs seems to be a big piece of what Orlando is building.
Scariest part of all of this is, The Jalens are not even at full strength right now.
Jalen Williams had an injury riddled, tough year despite his team being the best on the planet. However, he is just a year removed from being an All-NBA player himself.
So lets say Jalen Williams comes back to being J-Dub again next season, he too should get right back into the All-NBA mix. If his fellow Jalen / Jaylens do the same, they might pull off the UNTHINKABLE.
Close your eyes and picture this. Your 2027 All-NBA THIRD TEAM:
Jalen Brunson.
Jaylen Brown.
Jalen Williams.
Jalen Johnson.
Jalen Duren.
2 Guards. 2 Forwards. 1 Center.
5 Jalens.
It is at this point the world would have to acknowledge this is no coincidence.
The Jalens have arrived.
You think this ends with basketball? Absolutely not.
This is how it starts. Quietly. Subtly. “Oh look there’s 4 Jalens playing good basketball right now.” Maybe an MVP sprinkled in.
But then one day you wake up and everyone you love, and everything you thought you knew, is now Jalen.
The MVP is Jalen.
The commissioner is Jalen.
Your boss is Jalen.
Your doctor is also Jalen.
This league will no longer belong to stars, or super teams.
It will just belong to Jalen.