Jalen Brunson’s Finals MVP Win Completes Trope-Breaking Ascent

BusinessSportsMoneyJalen Brunson’s Finals MVP Win Completes Trope-Breaking AscentByJohn Cassillo,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. L.A.-based lead analyst at The Measure, covering the data behind sports media topics.Follow AuthorJun 15, 2026, 05:00pm EDTSummaryThe New York Knicks secured the 2026 NBA championship, a victory initially hailed as a team effort, but ultimately sealed by Jalen Brunson's dominant 45-point Game 5 performance, earning him Finals MVP. This triumph directly challenged Hall-of-Famer Becky Hammon's 2023 critique that "if your best player is small, you're not winning." Brunson, at 6'2", joined rare company like Steph Curry and Isaiah Thomas in leading a championship team as a "small guard." His success is attributed to clutch play, exceptional footwork, and a complementary team system featuring strong defenders. The Knicks' title run underscores that while a small player as the primary star is challenging, smart roster construction and a supportive system can lead to a title, solidifying Brunson's legacy and debunking an old NBA trope.Show More SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 13: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)Getty ImagesWhen the New York Knicks officially won the 2026 NBA championship, it was framed as a team effort by everyone involved. And it was. Since finding themselves down two games to one in the first round against the Atlanta Hawks, various Knicks have put on starring performances while the team won 15 of th...