After Lady Liberty, this is probably the most popular statue in New York City.
New York City kingpin Jalen Bronson has a shot at a 6-foot-2-inch replica in bronze just blocks from Madison Square Garden.
Benjamin Cohen, founder of Popular @newyorkers Social media channels, on a mission to get the ball moving – after Mayor Zahran Mamdani was asked to do so and dropped the ball.
Cohen, a die-hard Knicks fan who grew up in Rockaway, Queens, explained why Brunson deserves to be immortalized in the Big Apple.
“This guy came to New York four years ago and the fan base had nothing to hold on to,” Cohen, 32, told The Post this week. “We were the laughingstock of the NBA. People didn’t believe Jalen Brunson would do anything and thought he was overpaid. He came here, put his head down, worked, and brought us a championship for the first time since 1973.”
“I don’t think there is anyone more influential and deserving of a statue.”
Cohen has already found an artist in Brooklyn to sculpt it and claims the owner is offering a place to display the finished creation. He declined to mention the project price.
“We’re at a point where we have an artist and we have private property within walking distance of Madison Square Garden,” he said.
“We have the funds to do it, and we have a strong desire from the community. We have also begun communicating with the Building Department to make sure we can do it.”
Due to @newyorkers’ popularity, Cohen was invited to interview Mamdani at the Gracie Mansion last Saturday night, right after the Knicks won the NBA Finals.
During the interview, he was sure to ask Mamdani a burning question: “Everyone wants a Jalen Brunson statue. Can you make it happen?”
Mamdani laughed at the request. “I can’t make that promise.”
Once Cohen posted the video of Mamdani’s abstinence to his more than 2 million followers on @newyorkers, the video quickly racked up more than 8 million views — and overwhelmingly supportive comments — including one from former Nick Stephon Marbury, who wrote: “Build the statue!”
It also caught the attention of an anonymous owner of a commercial building within walking distance of MSG, who said he would be happy to host the All-Star statue, according to Cohen.
This gave Cohen the momentum he needed to strike out on his own, right now.
“I hope the city and Madison Square Garden step up. If they don’t, we will make it happen,” he said.