The 6'2" Guard Nobody Thought Could Win a Title Actually Did, and Becky Hammon Is Eating Crow

Alright, Seattle, listen up, because what went down in the NBA Finals just flipped the script on everything we thought we knew about winning championships. We’re talking about Jalen Brunson, the 6'2" dynamo, who not only led the New York Knicks to their first title in 53 years but did it by going head-to-head with the ultimate big man and absolutely proving everyone wrong. For real, it was wild to watch.

David vs. Goliath: Size Doesn't Always Win

Remember all the talk about how basketball is a big man's game? How you need a dominant center or a massive wing to hoist that trophy? Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the whole crew. Well, the 2026 NBA Finals was the perfect argument against that idea. Brunson, all 6'2" of him, went up against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, a squad built around the very definition of a superstar big man. It was like a real-life David vs. Goliath, and just like the story, the smaller guy took the win. It makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Becky Hammon's Take and the Outliers

Back in 2023, Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon went on ESPN's NBA Today. She was pretty clear about the Knicks' struggles in the Eastern Conference, facing all those teams led by massive wings or centers. Her point? They lacked a true 1A star, and size was going to be a huge factor. And honestly, she wasn't wrong if you look at most of NBA history. The exceptions are rare: Stephen Curry and Isaiah Thomas were the best players on their championship teams, and they were outliers. Now, Brunson is definitely in that elite, unexpected company. Hammon herself said she was "up to be proven wrong," and Brunson delivered big time. She'll probably admit it with grace, but it's a huge moment that challenges that fundamental "big men rule" in basketball. Even in the WNBA, where Hammon coaches, she speaks from experience as a smaller guard who didn't win a title, but then won multiple championships coaching with a star big in A'ja Wilson. This Knicks title, after 53 years of heartbreak, is more than just a win for New York. It’s a statement. It's about what you can achieve when the odds are stacked against you, and everyone thinks they know the formula for success. It shows that sometimes, it's the heart, the skill, and the sheer will of a player that can rewrite history. So, what does this mean for the future of team building in the league? We’ll be watching to find out.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.