Becky Hammon's Jalen Brunson comments: Revisiting WNBA's coach 'No. 1 option' criticism of Knicks star

Becky Hammon's Jalen Brunson comments: Revisiting WNBA's coach 'No. 1 option' criticism of Knicks star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>Becky Hammon is a legend in San Antonio. She was a three-time All Star as a player for the San Antonio Stars, and served as an assistant coach for the Spurs for seven seasons.

>She's also taken these San Antonio roots to the next level, doubling down on her lack of belief in Jalen Brunson and the Knicks.

>Now the coach of the Las Vegas Aces, Hammon commented on the Knicks on NBA Today in December 2023, saying that they were "missing" a "1A dude."

>At the time, Brunson was in the midst of his first All-Star season and recently finished 12th in MVP voting. Since those comments, Brunson has added a top five and top 10 finish in MVP voting.

>Here's what Hammon said about Brunson and why she is hesitant that the Knicks could win this year's NBA Finals.

>MORE: Jalen Brunson's family tree, including NBA coach father and more

What did Becky Hammon say about Jalen Brunson?In December 2023, Hammon said "If your best player is small, you're not winning."

>In that quote, she was specifically referencing an undersized Brunson, who stands at 6-foot-2, and the Knicks.

>These old quotes have resurfaced in recent weeks with the Knicks back in the NBA Finals for the first time this century. Some might retract their statements. Not Becky Hammon. She doubled down and spoke from personal experience as a 5-foot-6 former WNBA guard.

>"I think Jalen Brunson's a hell of a player, a hell of a player. 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," Hammon said on May 26.

>She would go on to compare Brunson to a player like Allen Iverson, who was just 6 feet tall during his Hall of Fame career.

>"Iverson got MVP, and he lost in the Finals," Hammon said. "I think the two best teams are probably in the West, but I'm up for being proven wrong."

>Nevertheless, Hammon's San Antonio ties mean that she will not be rooting for her fellow scrappy underdog, telling reporters that they "know who I'm cheering for."

>MORE: 2018 NBA re-draft, from Luka Doncic to SGA to Jalen Brunson

How tall is Jalen Brunson?Jalen Brunson is 6-foot-2. He was listed at 6-foot-3 during his junior year at Villanova.