Isaiah Thomas Calls Out ‘Small Guard’ Narrative Amid Jalen Brunson’s NBA Finals Run

Isaiah Thomas and Jalen Brunson (Photos by Imagn Images)

Isaiah Thomas Calls Out ‘Small Guard’ Narrative Amid Jalen Brunson’s NBA Finals Run

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Heena Singh | Last updated May 26, 2026 4:49 PM ET

Jalen Brunson keeps stacking receipts during this playoff run, and now another old take is resurfacing as the Knicks move closer to the NBA Finals. With New York holding a commanding 3-0 lead over Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals, conversations around Brunson’s size and superstar ceiling are looking very different.

The debate traces back to when Becky Hammon questioned whether a “small” guard could truly lead a team to championship contention. Hammon pointed to NBA history, arguing that undersized stars rarely become the clear No. 1 option on title teams, even while acknowledging legends like Isiah Thomas and Stephen Curry as exceptions.

Now, with Brunson dominating the postseason, Thomas stepped in on social media to defend smaller guards and push back against the narrative entirely.

“I remember when Coach Becky Hammond went on national TV saying you can’t win with a SMALL guard,” Thomas posted. “Keep doing ya thang Brunson… Us ‘small’ guards all rooting 4 ya.”

I remember when Coach Becky Hammond went on national TV saying you can’t win with a SMALL guard… Man I don’t like those type of statements smh. Keep doing ya thang Brunson… Us “small” guards all rooting 4 ya #Lefty
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) May 26, 2026

Brunson’s playoff surge is rewriting expectations in real time. Whether the Knicks finish the job or not, the idea that elite smaller guards can’t carry contenders is looking a whole lot shakier.

Isaiah Thomas Embracing New Celtics Scouting Role at NBA Combine

Thomas is getting a different kind of basketball experience these days, spending time scouting for the Boston Celtics during the 2026 NBA Combine in Chicago. And judging by his comments, he’s loving every second of the front-office grind.

Speaking on his “Point Game” podcast on May 21, 2026, Thomas said sitting in on prospect interviews brought back memories of his own draft process. He talked about the pressure young players feel trying to impress teams while navigating tough questions behind closed doors.

Isaiah Thomas (Image Credits: Imagn)

At the same time, Isaiah Thomas believes his background in playing helps him connect naturally with prospects. Instead of controlling the room, he spent most of the combine observing, learning, and building conversations with players who already respect his NBA journey and experience around the game.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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