Hammon’s high hurdle: Backlash and support after today’s NBA comments

Las Vegas Aces championship coach Becky Hammon caused a social media uproar after her comments about the New York Knicks and their star player Jalen Brunson. While her bold and outspoken style has brought her success on the court, it has also landed her in hot water on ESPN’s NBA Today.

Harmon declared that the Knicks are a middle-of-the-pack playoff team that lacks a true „1A dude,“ a comment that Kendrick Perkins seemed to counter by pointing to Brunson as the team’s leader. Harmon was quick to disagree, saying, „No, he’s too small. If your best player is too small, you’re not going to win games.“

This sparked a fierce backlash on social media. Undaunted, Harmon took to Twitter to clarify her position, emphasizing that she wasn’t comparing Brunson to superstars like LeBron or Stephen Curry, but rather stating a historical trend – that smaller players rarely lead their teams to championships.

Interestingly, the backlash wasn’t one-sided. Fans supported Harmon, citing her basketball expertise and historical data. Some pointed to Steph Curry as an anomaly, while others emphasized the traditional advantages of bigger players like centers and wings.

„She’s totally right. She knows the history of the NBA,“ one fan wrote. Another fan chimed in, „I’m sorry, but she’s right. Brunson’s size isn’t enough to get you there.

Supporters even cited Stephen Curry as an example, emphasizing that his unique talent is the exception, not the rule. One fan tweeted, „Haha, Stephen Curry and the Warriors broke basketball and she’s right.“

The controversy even spilled over to Clutch Points, with accusations of sexism flying around.“ One user commented, „When you have an audience of woman-haters who hate Becky Hammon because she’s a woman, maybe it’s time to reflect.

Ultimately, Harmon’s comments sparked a nuanced discussion about players‘ body types, historical trends and personal traits. Some found her comments harsh, while others defended her right to express her opinion and the weight of her basketball knowledge.

One thing is for sure: Becky Hammon has never shied away from making bold points, and she has once again sparked a classic basketball debate, proving once again that her voice, whether it’s praised or questioned, is always a conversation starter.