Rachel Nichols

I have stood next to Jalen Brunson many a time.

I'm not sure he's 6'2", but you know.

But here's what I would say.

The reason why teams with smaller guards tend to be the underdog in series is because teams with bigger lead stars tend to do better.

It's not a coincidence.

And that's why she said, I think the two teams in the West are better.

I love Jalen Brunson as a player.

Becky Hammond has said multiple times she loves Jalen Brunson.

Jalen plays, in some ways, a lot like she did.

This is not Jalen Brunson hate.

This is talking about the fact that, hey, if he is your best player, I don't know if that's going to cut it against NBA finals-level competition.

And she said she's willing to be wrong.

But you have two teams in the West, to her point,

who are led by players that have more power and that are taller guys.

And that might be why they would be favored in addition to all the other reasons that they're favored.

That's what I love about Hammond stepping into this.

Like, hey, you step into the arena, you got to back it up.

You're going to be right.

You're going to be wrong.

Like, that's part of the fun.