The NBA has been very welcoming to small guards. Despite what the perception is right now, it has historically been difficult for a small guard to carry a team to a championship. That has been true even for legendary Hall of Famers such as Steve Nash and Allen Iverson. Both of them have won a regular season MVP, however, they never won an elusive NBA ring. Stephen Curry and Isiah Thomas are among the few small guards who have won multiple championships, but they are ‘outliers’.
Jalen Brunson, a ‘small guard’, is at the center of the New York Knick’s resurgence. Fans across the board think he is going to lead New York to the championship. While fans of the franchise are keen for a ring after 50 years without one, Gilbert Arenas and Shannon Sharpe have their doubts.
Jalen Brunson’s ‘limitations’ compared to Steph Curry
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In the latest episode of Gil’s Arena, the former Washington Wizards star was engaged in quite an interesting conversation with NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe. One of the highlights of their discussion was the viability of Bruson bringing a ring to the Knicks. While agreeing that Brunson is a great player, Sharpe is of the opinion that it will be hard for him to win a title. “Brunson is a great great second player or third or coming off the bench as that guy right. It’s hard for small guys to win a title, Gil. I mean, you look at the history of the game as lead dogs. It’s been Steph Curry and it’s been Isaiah Thomas,” says Sharpe.
He further added, “Now, don’t take anything away from AI. Chuck was outstanding, and he put up big numbers in the league and scoring. Obviously, we know what he is; he was a historic player. But to win a championship, man, like I said, you got to be Steph Curry, who we know is transcendent, and Isaiah.” Despite having multiple breathtaking performances including a 50-piece, Becky Hammon also took shots at Jalen Brunson.
What did Becky Hammon say?
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In its 77-year history, the NBA has consistently undergone changes, making it a more enjoyable product for viewers. The league is currently experiencing another generational shift, as noted by WNBA icon Becky Hammon. However, when Hammon used Jalen Brunson as an example to illustrate this point, it sparked significant backlash.
The WNBA legend and Hall of Famer faced criticism from numerous Knicks fans due to her comments about Jalen Brunson. Hammon expressed, “I can’t categorize him (Brunson) as a LeBron (James), Steph (Curry), or (Joel) Embiid-type of 1A tier player, and if your best player is the smallest player on the court, you (probably) won’t win a CHAMPIONSHIP.” Her remarks have triggered a range of diverse opinions. Yet, Bronson received support from Isiah Thomas himself, as he posted a photo of him and Steph with the caption ‘Outliers’.
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Do you think they are right? Does Bruson have it in him? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.