Chris Mannix
π€ SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
What does it do, though, for Brunson when it comes to his ranking among small guards in NBA history?
For the purposes of this conversation, I'm going to say 6'2 and smaller.
Because you go 6'3, Steph is the number one guy on that list.
You look at guards in NBA history...
that are six foot two and smaller that have had the kind of impact that Jalen Brunson has had.
It's a very short list.
You want to go back to the 50s and 60s, Bob Cousy, gold standard for that, won multiple championships with Boston.
A little bit further down, Isaiah Thomas, two championships as the number one guy with the Detroit Pistons.
Allen Iverson, the most electric player out of that group, but never won a championship.
Had one shot at it, didn't win a championship with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Chris Paul, another player, six-foot, long career, 20-year NBA career, decorated, one of the best point guards of all time.
Nobody would dispute that.
If you're making the proverbial Mount Rushmore,
Of these young, small guards, 6'2 and under, I just named you four.
If Jalen Brunson wins a championship, does he knock one of those four off?
Is there another that belongs on that Mount Rushmore?
Yeah, Paul.
I think I would put John Stockton up there in the fourth spot.
A long career, a lot of assists, not spectacular.
But for what he did and how relevant he kept them, I think he's in the mix.