45-Point Finals MVP: Jalen Brunson Proved Becky Hammon Wrong, And She's Still Not Apologizing

Yo, Seattle! You hear about this? The New York Knicks, yeah, *those* Knicks, just snagged their first NBA title in 53 years, taking down the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the 2026 Finals. And the absolute legend at the heart of it? Jalen Brunson, who walked away with the Finals MVP trophy after dropping a MONSTER 45 points in Game 5 to seal the deal. But here’s the kicker, folks: all that glory came with a side of "I told you so" aimed straight at Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon.

The "Small Player" Take That Missed Big

Remember back in December 2023? Becky Hammon, then an ESPN analyst, dropped a take that had hoops fans everywhere scratching their heads, especially us here in the Emerald City who appreciate a good underdog. She flat-out said, "If your best player is small, you’re not winning." She was talking about guys like Brunson, who stands at 6’2”. Even as recently as May 26, with Brunson absolutely cooking in the playoffs, she wasn’t backing down. "I think Jalen Brunson’s a hell of a player, a hell of a player," she conceded, but then doubled down: "I’m speaking historically on the NBA with what I said. I don’t know why everybody’s so stuck on that. I said it two years ago. I stand by it. I’m never gonna apologize for having an opinion."

Brunson's MVP Masterclass and the Unapologetic Truth

Well, guess what? Brunson didn't just win; he became a bonafide NBA ch

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amp and a Finals MVP. History officially proven wrong. So, did Hammon finally eat crow? Nope. She gave him props, sure, saying, "Jalen, all he did was prove history wrong. He proves he’s an outlier, so you can put his name next to Steph Curry and Isiah Thomas, and I thought he played brilliantly, especially down the stretch. I mean, he was that 1A dude." But an apology? Forget about it. "Apologize? I’m never gonna apologize for having an opinion. That’s what ESPN pays me for," she declared. It’s almost like she’s *proud* of being wrong, as long as she gets to have an opinion, right? The wild part? Knicks wing Mikal Bridges spilled the beans after the win, admitting Hammon’s words lit a fire under Brunson. "I appreciate Becky, no cap. The words she said about can’t win with JB being 1A and he’s too little, all that did run him," Bridges said. He even added, "I don’t care what he said. I know him. He ain’t going to tell y’all. He knows what she said and it fueled him to go be great." So there you have it, folks. Sometimes, the biggest doubters become the biggest motivators. Jalen Brunson took those words, that doubt, and turned it into an NBA championship and an MVP trophy. It's a testament to proving everyone wrong, even when they won't say sorry. As we here in Seattle get ramped up for a fresh Mariners season and watch our Seahawks begin to take shape with Coach Macdonald, let this be a reminder that passion, grit, and maybe a little extra fuel can take you all the way. You love to see it!

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