Anshari Taslim
New York, NY – May 27, 2026 – Following the New York Knicks’ decisive sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, which propelled them to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, Eastern Conference Finals MVP Jalen Brunson stands four victories away from etching his name into franchise history. The 6-foot-2 guard, who averaged 25.5 points and 7.5 assists on 48.7% shooting in the series, has become the undisputed leader of a Knicks squad aiming for their first championship since 1973. His current trajectory places him among the franchise’s all-time greats, a testament to his remarkable rise and sustained performance.
Amidst Brunson’s postseason heroics, Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon has reiterated her long-standing skepticism regarding small guards leading teams to NBA titles. Hammon, a decorated Hall of Famer with three WNBA coaching championships, was asked about her December 2023 comments on ESPN’s NBA Today, where she asserted that the Knicks lacked a "1A dude" and that "if your best player is small, you’re not winning." Despite Brunson’s recent accolades and the Knicks’ deep playoff run, Hammon remained steadfast in her analytical position.
"I speak from experience," Hammon stated on Tuesday, acknowledging the ongoing discussion. "Allen Iverson got MVP, and he lost in the Finals. I think the two best teams are probably in the West, but I’m up for being proven wrong. That’s the other thing, I think Jalen Brunson’s a hell of a player, a hell of a player. I’m speaking historically on the NBA with what I said. I don’t know why everybody’s so stuck on that. I said it two years ago." Her remarks underscore a nuanced perspective that recognizes Brunson’s individual talent while maintaining a historical lens on championship contenders.
Hammon further solidified her stance, declaring, "I stand by it. I said what I said. If he proves me wrong, he proves me wrong. Good for him. But I do think the two best teams are in the West, and you know who I’m cheering for." Her unwavering position has ignited considerable debate among basketball analysts and fans, particularly given Brunson’s compelling performance. Hammon’s comments are rooted not in a dismissal of Brunson’s skill, but in a broader historical observation of championship-winning archetypes in professional basketball.
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Hammon’s "experience" is deeply personal and professionally informed. Standing at 5-foot-6, she navigated a distinguished 16-season career in the WNBA, playing eight seasons with the New York Liberty, often at Madison Square Garden, and another eight with the then-San Antonio Silver Stars, which later relocated to Las Vegas and became the Aces. Throughout her playing tenure, Hammon garnered six All-Star selections and four All-WNBA nods, leading her teams to the playoffs 13 times. However, a WNBA championship as a player famously eluded her; she was 0-4 in the WNBA Finals, experiencing three losses with the Liberty and one with the Silver Stars. This personal history as a foundational small guard leading a team to the brink of a title, yet falling short, informs her philosophical outlook.
Beyond her playing career, Hammon spent seven seasons (2014-2021) as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, learning under the tutelage of legendary coach Gregg Popovich. This period provided her with an invaluable perspective on NBA strategy and team construction at the highest level. Her subsequent transition to head coach of the Las Vegas Aces saw her immediately achieve success, securing three WNBA championships. Few individuals in professional basketball possess such a comprehensive understanding of the challenges associated with being a team’s primary offensive engine as a smaller guard, coupled with the strategic insights of a championship-winning coach. Her "philosophy" is thus a synthesis of lived experience and elite-level analysis.
The specific exchange that sparked the controversy occurred in December 2023 on ESPN’s NBA Today. Hammon was discussing the Knicks’ roster with fellow analysts Kendrick Perkins, Chiney Ogwumike, and Brian Windhorst.
"At the end of the day, they don’t have a dude. You gotta have a dude, you gotta have a 1A dude, and they’re missing that at the end of the day if we’re getting down to brass tacks," Hammon asserted.
Perkins immediately challenged her, stating, "I didn’t want to disagree with Becky today. They do have that dude."
"Who?" Hammon quickly retorted.
"Jalen Brunson," Perkins affirmed.
Hammon’s response was direct: "No, he’s too small."
Ogwumike interjected, "Didn’t they say that about you? And you’re a Hall of Famer."
Hammon then articulated her core philosophy: "I’ve got a philosophy. Can I say my philosophy? If your best player is small, you’re not winning. John Stockton, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, you can go down the list. Steph Curry is the only dude."
Ogwumike pressed on the Curry point, "And he’s not that small. He’s like 6-3."
Hammon clarified, "Also, though, [Curry] is the best shooter to ever walk the planet. He’s in a different class."
Windhorst, a seasoned NBA reporter, concluded the segment by supporting Hammon’s historical premise: "[Hammon] is right. History says she is right."
Historically, Hammon’s argument holds considerable weight. Since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976, the instances of a small guard (generally considered 6-foot-3 or shorter) being the definitive best player on a championship-winning team are notably scarce. The two primary examples cited are Isiah Thomas, who led the Detroit Pistons to back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990, and Stephen Curry, the generational talent who spearheaded the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty with four championships. Thomas, at 6-foot-1, was a dynamic playmaker and scorer, earning Finals MVP in 1990. Curry, listed at 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-3 depending on the source, redefined the game with his unparalleled shooting prowess and off-ball movement, earning multiple MVP awards.
Arguments can be made for a few other players, though they often come with caveats. Gus Williams or Dennis Johnson from the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics could be considered, but that team was renowned for its balanced attack and lacked a singular, dominant superstar, with neither player making the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. Furthermore, Johnson stood at 6-foot-4, slightly above the typical "small guard" designation. Chauncey Billups, at 6-foot-3, was integral to the 2004 Detroit Pistons’ championship, a team famed for its "five pistons" approach rather than reliance on a single lead scorer. Dwyane Wade, while undeniably the superstar of the 2006 Miami Heat, also measured 6-foot-4.
Even with these additional considerations, the total number of small guards who have unambiguously served as the definitive best player on an NBA championship team in the past 50 years remains remarkably low, likely five or fewer. This statistical anomaly underpins Hammon’s assertion. The challenges for smaller guards typically include defending larger opponents, finishing over rim protectors, and securing rebounds, often necessitating an exceptionally talented supporting cast or a revolutionary skill set, as seen with Curry.
Jalen Brunson’s current Knicks journey provides a compelling narrative against this historical backdrop. The Knicks finished the 2025-26 regular season with an impressive 50-32 record, securing the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Their playoff path saw them dispatch the Philadelphia 76ers in a hard-fought six-game series in the first round, before sweeping the Cavaliers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Throughout this run, Brunson has elevated his game, consistently delivering clutch performances and showcasing an expanded offensive repertoire, often carrying the scoring load while facilitating for teammates. His season averages included career-highs in points and assists, underscoring his growth into an elite offensive force.
The Knicks’ success has been built on a foundation of tenacious defense, relentless effort, and Brunson’s unparalleled leadership. Despite battling injuries to key players like Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson at various points in the season, Brunson’s ability to maintain offensive efficiency and command the team’s tempo has been crucial. Other significant contributions have come from players such as Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart, but Brunson’s role as the primary offensive engine and decision-maker is undeniable. The team’s offensive rating has seen a significant boost in the playoffs, largely due to Brunson’s individual brilliance and his ability to create opportunities for others.
As the Knicks now prepare for the NBA Finals, they await the winner of the Western Conference Finals, which, according to the article’s premise, pits the Oklahoma City Thunder against the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder, known for their dynamic young talent and explosive offense, or the Spurs, potentially featuring a dominant interior presence and strong team defense, would present a formidable challenge. Hammon’s final statement, expressing her preference for a Western Conference champion, highlights the significant "if" hanging over Brunson and the Knicks: the ultimate test of defying historical trends on the game’s biggest stage.
The upcoming NBA Finals thus presents a fascinating intersection of current performance and historical precedent. Jalen Brunson has proven himself a legitimate superstar and a formidable leader, but the ultimate validation of Hammon’s controversial take hinges on the final outcome. The basketball world will be watching to see if Brunson can join the exclusive ranks of small guards to lead a franchise to an NBA title, or if Hammon’s "experience" will once again be affirmed by history.
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