Jalen Brunson's 15 Words About That Handshake Tell You Everything About Victor Wembanyama

Alright, Seattle, can we talk about what went down after the NBA Finals? Because the New York Knicks finally did it, bringing home their first NBA championship in over 50 years, and the city absolutely erupted! But amidst that ear-splitting chaos, Jalen Brunson, man, he showed exactly why he's a certified superstar. While New York went wild, Brunson had this quiet, total class act moment with Spurs coach Mitch Johnson that's got everyone talking. And honestly, it makes Victor Wembanyama look way worse than he already did.

Brunson's Respect Solidifies Superstar Status

Seriously, you gotta see the viral video. Right after the Knicks clinched Game 5, Brunson, with a towel draped over his shoulders, walked straight to the scorer's table. He shook Coach Johnson's hand, they shared a quick embrace, and it was just pure respect, right there for the world to see. Brunson's gesture solidified his status as a true superstar, and New Yorkers, of course, absolutely love him. During the Knicks' championship press tour, Brunson explained it all. He said, "I hugged and said 'What's up' to Coach Johnson from the Spurs first, just to show respect." He added, "It was just kind of instinct, like it’s kind of how I was raised. I think win or loss, you always gotta show respect regardless of the outcome. I’ve got a lot of respect for them over there." It's simple, it's powerful, and it's everything you want to see from a champion.

Wembanyam

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a's Cold Shoulder Ignites Criticism Now, here's where it gets spicy. While Brunson was showing respect, Victor Wembanyama, who had just bricked the last futile shot of the game, did the exact opposite. He walked away from Brunson and the Knicks, all the way from half-court to the players' tunnel, without taking a single glance back. No handshake, no nod, just straight outta there. The headlines villainizing Wembanyama wrote themselves. This came after a tense NBA Finals series where the Spurs phenom even got away with two fouls on Brunson. His villain arc? Complete. He's now one of the most hated sports nemeses in NYC, right up there with "Knick-killer" Trae Young. The criticism was unanimous: for a guy who's supposed to be the "soon-to-be face of the NBA," he needs to learn how to lose with grace.

The Stakes For Wemby's Image

Brunson's comments about being "raised" to show respect only make Wembanyama look even worse, despite him being just 22 years old. Everyone's saying Wemby absolutely should have shaken Brunson's hand, or even Coach Mike Brown's, or any other Knicks players' hands. This isn't just about one moment; it's about setting a standard. We've seen this kind of thing before, like when LeBron James famously refused to shake Dwight Howard’s hand after losing in the 2009 Eastern Conference finals. Wembanyama has joined some spiteful company. This is a huge moment for his public image, and he's got to figure out how to navigate these situations because the league, and the fans, are watching every single move.

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