Brunson “too small” to win? Becky Hammon’s criticism resurfaces
Former Spurs assistant Becky Hammon revisits her criticism of Jalen Brunson’s leadership profile, while Isiah Thomas also jumps into the debate on social media
Jalen Brunson added another chapter to his storybook run, leading the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years. The franchise from the Big Apple now sits just four wins away from a championship, capping off a dominant playoff run highlighted by 11 straight victories and back-to-back sweeps of the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
During this winning streak, comments made by Becky Hammon back in 2023 resurfaced online. The current Las Vegas Aces head coach had suggested that Brunson lacked the physical profile of a leader capable of winning an NBA championship.
Speaking to the Associated Press immediately after Game 4 – the game that sent the Knicks to the NBA Finals following their decisive 130-93 win over Cleveland – Hammon addressed the criticism surrounding those earlier comments:
I’m speaking from experience. Allen Iverson won MVP and made the Finals, but he lost. I think the two best teams are in the West, but I’m ready to be proven wrong. I think Brunson is an unbelievable player, but I was talking historically about the NBA. I don’t understand why everyone is so obsessed with it – I said it two years ago. If he proves me wrong, I’ll be happy to be proven wrong
Becky Hammon
Hammon’s comments also drew a reaction from former NBA star Isiah Thomas, who took to social media to defend the so-called “small guards”:
I remember Coach Becky Hammon going on national TV saying you can’t win with a SMALL guard. I hate statements like that. Keep going, Brunson… all us ‘small’ guys are rooting for you
Isiah Thomas
Meanwhile, the Knicks star has continued letting his game do the talking. Brunson unanimously captured the Larry Bird Trophy as Eastern Conference Finals MVP after averaging 25.5 points, 7.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game against Cleveland while shooting 48.7% from the field.
Those numbers add to an outstanding overall playoff run, where he has averaged 26.9 points per game while shooting 35.2% from three-point range.
It seems unlikely that the Knicks’ No. 11 will publicly respond to Becky Hammon before the end of the NBA Finals, but if New York ends up winning it all, a response wouldn’t be out of the question.
The date with history is set for June 3, when the Finals begin and Madison Square Garden will host Games 3, 4, and a potential Game 6 – the perfect opportunity for Brunson to capture a championship ring and put any lingering debate about his leadership to rest once and for all, if there was ever really a debate to begin with.