WNBA coach doubles down on Jalen Brunson doubts despite Knicks reaching NBA Finals
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President Donald Trump said at a Cabinet meeting Wednesday that he believes he will attend an NBA Finals game next week as the New York Knicks make their first appearance in the Finals in nearly 30 years.
Knicks fans are hoping to break a 53-year championship drought, knowing that a championship would also silence one of Jalen Brunson’s biggest critics.
Even though New York is officially in the finals, Becky Hammon still isn’t ready to admit she was wrong.
Brunson has already carved his own path into Gotham lore, spearheading the franchise’s first playoff series victory since 2013 in its first season and now leading the Knicks to their first appearance in the Finals in 27 years.
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Still, fans expect Hammon to eat crow for questioning whether the guard can be the No. 1 player on a championship-caliber team.
It’s not quite there yet.
WRISTWATCH:
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks celebrates a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of Game Three of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on May 23, 2026. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on May 24, 2027 in Cleveland. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)
When asked recently if he wanted to take back his past comments, the Las Vegas Aces coach stood his ground:
“I speak from experience. Allen Iverson took the MVP and lost in the Finals. I think the two best teams are probably in the West, but I’m ready to prove me wrong.
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“That’s the other thing. I think Jalen Brunson is a great player, a great player. I’m talking historically about the NBA with what I’m saying.
Becky Hammon still doubts Jalen Brunson’s championship ceiling despite leading the Knicks back to the Finals. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images) ((Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images))
“I don’t know why everyone is so hung up on this. I said it two years ago. I said what I said. If he proves me wrong, he’ll prove me wrong.”
To understand why fans are still so hung up on this issue, you have to revisit Hammon’s original “brass nails” assessment of the Knicks’ ceiling:
“They don’t have enough staff, they don’t have the manpower they need to hang with these guys.
“I think you will build a consistent team like before. They are a pretty good team.
“They are coached well, they will play a defensive game, but at the end of the day they don’t have a friend.
“You have to have a 1A dude, and if we’re just getting down to the highlights, they’re missing that at the end of the day.”
At the time, Hammon’s comments reflected the widespread belief across the NBA that Brunson was talented, durable and reliable, but not the type of superstar who could lead a team to a championship.
Brunson is one of the biggest reasons the Knicks are four wins away from ending decades of heartbreak.
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The truth is that unless Brunson can win a championship for New York, Hammon’s skepticism will continue to cast a shadow over him. But if Brunson brings a championship to the Big Apple, Hammon’s comments won’t get old. Not only would he prove him wrong, but he would also solidify himself as a Knicks legend forever.
Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com Follow on /x: @alejandroaveela
