By Donovan Hicks Las Vegas Review-Journal
June 18, 2026 - 12:24 pm
Years earlier the New York Knicks’ NBA title tally this season, determination was important skepticism surrounding three-time all-star constituent defender Jalen Brunson.
One of his biggest critics was Las Vegas Aces manager Becky Hammon, who made aggregate comments astir Brunson during a impermanent expert quality connected ESPN successful 2023.
“(The Knicks) bash not person a dude. You’ve got to person a 1A dude,” Hammon said. “(Jalen Brunson) is excessively small. If your champion subordinate is small, you’re not winning.”
Mikal Bridges, Brunson’s teammate astatine some Villanova and the Knicks, revealed during a societal media livestream this week that Hammon’s comments motivated Brunson to bid to go the champion subordinate successful the league.
“I admit Becky, nary cap,” Bridges said. “The words she said astir ‘Can’t triumph with JB being a 1A, 1B. He’s excessively little.’ All that did is substance that (expletive).”
Bridges adjacent defended Hammon’ comments.
“Becky the GOAT. Don’t disrespect Becky,” helium said. “She said what she said. She motivated that (expletive) bro. He motivated erstwhile helium aftermath up, it conscionable added (expletive) to it.”
Brunson has yet to remark astir Hammon’s comments specifically. He offered a little effect during the Game 5 postgame property conference.
“I didn’t respond to them then,” helium said, “and I’m damn definite not going to respond to them now.”
Prior to the Knicks’ NBA Finals appearance, Hammon had the accidental to retract her comments but alternatively chose to basal by them, citing what she has seen successful some her coaching and playing careers.
“I deliberation Jalen Brunson’s a hellhole of a player, a hellhole of a player,” Hammon said. “I’m speaking historically connected the NBA with what I said. I don’t cognize wherefore everybody’s truthful stuck connected that.
“I said what I said. If helium proves maine wrong, helium proves maine wrong.”
English (US)·