Josh Hart Appears to Call Out One of Jalen Brunson’s Biggest Critics After Knicks’ Historic Title Run

The crowd instantly understood the assignment and began chanting Becky Hammon’s name. For those unaware, back in 2023, Hammon questioned whether a smaller guard like Brunson could lead a team to an NBA title. During an ESPN appearance, she bluntly said, “If your best player is small, you’re not winning.”

And needless to say, Hart clearly remembered the take. The timing of his comments made the moment even louder. Brunson had just delivered one of the greatest postseason runs in franchise history, capped by a Finals MVP performance against the San Antonio Spurs.

In the championship-clinching Game 6 victory, the three-time NBA All-Star exploded for 45 points while carrying New York through tense late-game moments. The title officially ended a drought that had lasted since 1973. Hammon later doubled down on her comments earlier this year and refused to walk them back, insisting her opinion was based on NBA history rather than Brunson specifically.

Josh Hart Is Going All-In Against Knicks Doubters

Hart is not letting Knicks doubters off the hook after New York’s historic championship run. Days after the Knicks captured their first NBA title in 53 years, Hart joined Jalen Brunson for a live episode of The Roommates Show at Madison Square Garden. One of the biggest targets of the conversation was longtime Knicks critic Stephen A. Smith. Hart made it clear he is still keeping all those notes.

The Knicks forward brought up old comments from Smith, including his criticism of Brunson after New York signed him in 2022. Smith had famously declared that Brunson “isn’t the answer” for the franchise.

The star small forward also referenced past doubts surrounding Villanova’s 2016 championship core. Brunson, Hart, and Mikal Bridges were all part of that team before eventually reuniting in New York and helping deliver a title. With the championship trophy sitting nearby, Hart directly challenged Smith to admit he was wrong.

However, he made Smith eat his words.

“I was beyond wrong,” Smith admitted during the live show. “I have never been more happy to be wrong in my life.”

The ESPN personality even apologized to Brunson, Josh Hart, and the entire Knicks organization while acknowledging the magnitude of ending the franchise’s decades-long drought.