The Knicks Return to the NBA Finals After 27 Years

The Knicks are once again in the NBA Finals for the first time in nearly three decades, and Jalen Brunson has clearly played a significant role in that achievement. However, it seems Becky Hammon, the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, isn’t quite ready to change her view on him just yet.

On Tuesday, Hammon shared with reporters that she’s open to being “proven wrong” about Brunson, who has previously expressed doubts about his own status as a “1A guy.” In a way, that openness is intriguing.

“I’m speaking from experience,” she remarked, referencing past NBA scenarios, “Allen Iverson won MVP but still lost in the Finals. I think the top teams are likely in the West, but I’m prepared to be proven wrong. Jalen Brunson is definitely a talented player, I mean, really talented. My comments refer to NBA history, and I’m not sure why people hold onto them so tightly. I said it two years ago.”

Hammon added, “I said what I said. If he proves me wrong, then he proves me wrong.”

In December 2023, during an appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” Hammon, who has an impressive coaching resume, suggested that the Knicks were still a step below championship-caliber teams. One reason, she mentioned, was that Brunson, standing at 6-foot-2, lacked the star power necessary to elevate the team to that next level.

“They don’t have enough talent. They lack the right people,” she commented back then. “If they keep a solid team like this, they can be competitive. They are well-coached and play defensively sound, but in the end, they need more star players. If we’re being realistic, they still lack that.”

Since her comments, Brunson and the Knicks have achieved surprising success, making the playoffs three times under two different coaches and, most notably, reaching this year’s NBA Finals.

Brunson has been a standout performer, averaging 26.9 points and 6.6 assists per game this postseason, including two games with over 30 points—one being a remarkable 38-point performance during a historic Game 1 sweep of the Cavaliers in the Conference Finals, earning him series MVP honors.

Reflecting on the journey, Brunson expressed his gratitude: “The faith the organization has in me has been incredible. I appreciate it deeply; it’s something many players don’t get the chance to experience. I’m really thankful. It’s an honor to represent this organization and play alongside my teammates.”