This week, Aces coach Becky Hammon went viral after stating that Knicks star Jalen Brunson is not good enough to lead the Knicks to a title. According to Hammon, a guy that size cannot be the best player on a championship team. As one of the rare exceptions to this rule, 2x champion Isiah Thomas offered his own insight on the conversation and explained why he agrees with Becky’s judgment.
“Sadly this game historically does favor the taller, stronger athlete and when smaller-sized people have success it is more impressive in my opinion. The 1A player has historically been taller players than myself or Steph we are the outliers.”
https://twitter.com/IsiahThomas/status/1738213247294095805
Becky’s comments sparked a lot of outrage among the fans, but it’s just a fact that the game of basketball comes easier to those who are bigger and taller. At 6’2″, Jalen Brunson is definitely on the shorter side of normal and the fact that he’s the Knicks’ best player right now does not bode well for their title chances. And while it’s not impossible for a point guard to lead the way to a championship, the Knicks (and every other team) might be better off taking Becky’s advice and going for a top-five player.
NBA Fans Join The Debate
When you look at NBA champions throughout history, they’ve typically been led by wings or centers like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, and Kawhi Leonard. Before that, the NBA was dominated by players like Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. So, historically, the evidence supports Becky’s argument against small stars leading title teams.
If you ask the fans, though, many still have objections to the conversation. As some fans pointed out, Jalen Brunson may not even be the Knicks’ best player right now. That title could belong to Julius Randle, who is 6’9 with two All-NBA selections already to his name.
I’m more pissed how they talk about that guy for the Knicks & skip right over randle at 6’9 with two all nba selections but they choose brunson who has yet to make an allstar. Love brunson but the disrespect for randle is insane. He’s about to get a 3rd all nba in 4 years
— Chad Decker (@ThisIsTheWay487) December 22, 2023
One X user argued that Brunson is a sidekick instead of a true superstar and that the Knicks, respectfully, need a “Baman” type of leader before they can compete at the highest level.
All Becky had to say was Jalen Brunson is a Robin. They need a Batman. That’s not being mean. That’s the truth. Brunson is a player. Probably an all-star. That’s not enough to compete for championships.
— Bill Burt (@BurtTalksSports) December 22, 2023
For most players, though, there is an understanding that length, size, and strength offer major advantages to NBA athletes and the bigger you are the easier is to make an impact on either end of the floor.
Its sad watching Steph get clamped up at end of games when the nerves are high and offense isnt as fluid so he can run around and get a good look at the rim. Bigger players have the luxury of getting to their sweet spots in the midrange and go for higher percentage shot.
— Jay Singh (@TheShepardz) December 22, 2023
So, where does all this leave the New York Knicks? While they are no doubt satisfied with Brunson’s production this year, there is a growing sense that they just don’t have enough to make a meaningful run in the playoffs. Unless they make some serious changes or Brunson puts on a historic performance, the second round may be the highest ceiling for this modern Knicks team.
Can Brunson Prove Them Wrong?
Stephen Curry and Isiah Thomas are really the only “small” players who have ever captured a title as the best player for their team. Curry is the greatest shooter ever and Isiah Thomas led one of the greatest defensive teams in NBA history. Brunson is a bona fide All-Star in New York and an expert-level shooter, but he’s still several tiers below those guys and he has yet to advance past the Conference Finals in his entire career.
The season, Brunson and the Knicks have played pretty well and they’ll have a chance to do something special this spring. But without a top-tier NBA superstar on the roster, New York will never achieve their ultimate potential and they’ll always be a step behind the top three teams in the East.
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