‘NBA Today’ Analysts Becky Hammon & Kendrick Perkins Discuss Jalen Brunson’s Player Status

Jalen Brunson, a point guard for the New York Knicks, hasn’t exactly had the best season with the group. Despite their consistency as a club, not many see the Knicks as a threat or a contender for the championship this year. ‘NBA Today’ Analysts Becky Hammon & Kendrick Perkins discussed Jalen Brunson’s player status.

‘NBA Today’ Analysts Becky Hammon & Kendrick Perkins Discuss Jalen Brunson’s Player Status

With a 16-11 record and a strong start to the 2023–24 season, the New York Knicks are now the 5-seed in the East, with a big chunk of their success being attributed to Jalen Brunson.

With his impressive performance for the Knicks this season—he’s averaging 25.3 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game on 47.2/45.8/80.1 shooting splits—Brunson seems poised to be selected for his first-ever All-Star team.

Becky Hammon: [The Knicks] don't have a dude… you got to have a 1A dude."

Kendrick Perkins: "They do have that dude."

B: "Who?"

K: "Jalen Brunson."

B: "He too small. If your best player is small, you're not winning… Steph Curry is the only dude."pic.twitter.com/XWhJHZXpxT

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 21, 2023

Becky Hammon joined the panel on ESPN’s NBA Today on Thursday. She expressed her belief that the Knicks lacked “a 1A dude” and needed him to be a contender.

Perkins said they have that guy in Brunson, but Hammon pointed out he was “too small” to be the winner and gave a list of recent championship teams led by “small” guys, with the Warriors being the only other notable exception being Isiah Thomas.

“[The Knicks] don’t have a dude … you got to have a 1A dude,” she said. “They’re missing that.”

“They do have that dude,” Perkins responded.

“Who?” Hammon asked.

Becky Hammon on the Knicks and Jalen Brunson:

Hammon: They don’t have a Dude…you gotta have a 1A Dude”

Kendrick Perkins: “…They do have that dude. Jalen Brunson“

Hammon: “Nah he too small…If your best player is small, you’re not winning. John Stockton, Allen Iverson, Steve… pic.twitter.com/E7KRASXtcb

— Hoops Nation (@_HoopsNation) December 21, 2023

“Jalen Brunson,” Perkins responded.

“He’s too small,” Hammon said. “I’ve got a philosophy. If your best player is small, you’re not winning.”

Hammon then went on to list a handful of great players on the short side who never won an NBA title.

“John Stockton, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, you can go down the list,” Hammon said. “Steph Curry is the only one … but he’s also the greatest shooter to ever walk the planet.”

"He's too small": Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon, Kendrick Perkins disagree on Jalen Brunson's 'tier 1A' player status https://t.co/Lw8To90YO0 #NBA #Basketball

— Sports Worldwide (@Sportsworld0412) December 22, 2023

“OK, but we’re living in a new age, a new day,” Perkins responded.

Though Brunson is no longer their greatest player, the New York Knicks are still a formidable opponent. It was his first season with New York, and the team had more than 45 victories for the first time since the 2012–2013 campaign.

The Knicks struggled terribly even with 6-foot-8 Julius Randle as their starting centre.

Becky Hammon got Kendrick Perkins mad arguing Jalen Brunson is 'too small' to be a 1A player https://t.co/VyivErmbSy

— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) December 21, 2023