Josh Hart appeared to call out Becky Hammon for previously doubting Jalen Brunson as a championship leader after Brunson guided the Knicks to their first NBA title in 53 years and won Finals MVP.
Josh Hart appeared to call out WNBA head coach Becky Hammon after Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship in 53 years.
MIN
30.7
PTS
11.6
FG%
52.7%
REB
7.7
AS
4.7
Speaking during a live episode of The Roommates Show, Hart addressed past criticism of Brunson without directly naming Hammon.
“I’m not naming names, but I’m still waiting for somebody to say they was wrong about someone who led our team to a championship in 53 years,” Hart said. “I’m still waiting for something. So you know, I know they have media availability, so we’ll be waiting for that apology.”
Hart’s comment came after Brunson led New York to a 4-1 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals. The Knicks closed the series with a 94-90 Game 5 victory, while Brunson delivered 45 points and was named NBA Finals MVP.
Brunson averaged 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in the Finals, becoming one of the rare smaller guards to lead a team to a championship as the main offensive option.
What Becky Hammon said about Jalen Brunson
Hammon’s comments about Brunson originally came during a December 2023 episode of ESPN’s NBA Today.
At the time, the Las Vegas Aces coach argued that the Knicks were missing a true “1A dude” and questioned whether Brunson could be the best player on a title team because of his size.
“He’s too small. If your best player is small, you’re not winning,” Hammon said, while also noting that Stephen Curry was an exception to the rule.
Credit Getty Images via AFP – Scanpix
Hammon later stood by the overall point during the Knicks’ playoff run.
“I speak from experience,” Hammon said in May. “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.”
She also clarified that she respected Brunson as a player.
“Jalen Brunson’s a hell of a player, a hell of a player,” Hammon said. “I’m speaking historically on the NBA with what I said.”
Brunson answers with Finals MVP run
Brunson ultimately gave the strongest possible response on the court.
The 29-year-old guard became the face of the Knicks’ championship run after joining the franchise in 2022 from the Dallas Mavericks. He helped New York end a title drought that had lasted since 1973.
When asked after the Finals about critics who questioned whether he was a true “1A guy,” Brunson did not take the bait.
“I didn’t respond to them then, I’m damn sure not gonna respond to them now,” Brunson said.
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