LeBron James Makes Surprising Knicks Finals MVP Claim About Jalen Brunson
LeBron James has never been afraid to share his basketball opinions, and his latest take on the New York Knicks has reopened a debate that seemed settled months ago. The NBA superstar has questioned whether Jalen Brunson was actually the most valuable player for New York during its historic championship run, instead pointing toward another member of the team who played a crucial role in the Finals.
Brunson officially received the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after leading the Knicks to their first championship since 1973. However, James believes OG Anunoby deserves far more recognition for his contributions against the San Antonio Spurs, and his argument could spark plenty of discussion among basketball fans.
The interesting part is that James is not suggesting Brunson had a poor series. Instead, he is highlighting the difference between being a team’s leading superstar and being its most impactful player across every aspect of a championship-winning series.
LeBron James Makes His Finals MVP Argument
During the latest episode of his Mind the Game podcast with former NBA star Steve Nash, James explained why he would have selected Anunoby over Brunson for the Finals MVP award.
“OG, I think, was the MVP of the team in the Finals. Obviously, [Jalen] Brunson became the MVP. But it’s the small things: the chase-down block on [De’Aaron] Fox, the tip for the [Game. He was consistent to continue to knock down threes,” James said.
James was highlighting the kind of contributions that can sometimes disappear behind the headlines surrounding a team’s biggest offensive star.
Brunson was the face of New York’s championship run, and his scoring numbers made him an obvious candidate for the award. But Anunoby’s defense, timely shooting, and ability to influence crucial possessions gave the Knicks another dimension that opponents struggled to contain.
James’ argument is worth considering precisely because he is not an ordinary observer. As a four-time NBA champion who has experienced the pressure of the Finals himself, he understands that winning a championship requires much more than one player putting up impressive numbers.
Still, there is a difference between making a compelling basketball argument and proving that the official award winner was the wrong choice. Brunson’s case remains extremely strong.
Why Jalen Brunson Deserved His Recognition
Brunson delivered one of the most memorable performances in Knicks history during the 2026 NBA Finals.
New York defeated the Spurs 4-1, ending a championship drought that had lasted 53 years. Brunson was at the centre of that achievement, producing a series-high 32.6 points per game and finishing the championship-clinching Game 5 with 45 points.
The Knicks won that decisive game 94-90, with Brunson carrying an enormous offensive responsibility when the pressure was at its highest.
His performance was not simply about collecting points. Brunson repeatedly created opportunities when New York needed someone to take control, using his footwork, ball-handling, and ability to manufacture shots against defenders who knew exactly where the ball was going.
That is what separates an excellent regular-season scorer from a player capable of leading a championship team.
Brunson also had an impressive postseason overall, helping New York navigate a difficult playoff schedule before eventually overcoming San Antonio. His leadership and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments were central to the team’s success.
So, while James has every right to make a case for Anunoby, it would be unfair to suggest Brunson’s Finals MVP award was undeserved.
The Knicks needed both players to reach the summit, but Brunson’s historic scoring performance provided a compelling reason for voters to choose him.
OG Anunoby’s Contribution Cannot Be Ignored
Where James makes an interesting point is in drawing attention to the work Anunoby did outside the traditional spotlight.
The Knicks forward averaged 21.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game during the five-game Finals, shooting 52.5% from the field.
Those are impressive numbers for a player whose contributions also included taking on difficult defensive assignments and helping New York maintain its balance at both ends of the court.
Anunoby’s performance in Game 4 was particularly significant. He scored 33 points and delivered the game-winning tip-in in a dramatic 107-106 victory, completing a remarkable 29-point comeback against the Spurs.
That game could easily have swung the series in San Antonio’s favour. Instead, Anunoby helped New York take a commanding 3-1 lead, putting the Knicks within touching distance of the championship.
His defensive contribution was equally important. James specifically referenced the chase-down block on De’Aaron Fox, an example of how a single defensive play can change the momentum of a game.
These moments matter because championship basketball is often decided by details that do not always appear in the scoring column.
A timely rotation, a contested rebound, a deflection, or a crucial defensive stop can be just as important as a spectacular basket. Anunoby consistently provided that kind of value throughout the series.
Would the Knicks Have Won Without Brunson or Anunoby?
This is where the debate becomes particularly interesting.
Brunson was the Knicks’ offensive engine, while Anunoby provided a combination of scoring, defense, and versatility that made the team more difficult to beat.
Trying to determine which player was more valuable inevitably depends on what a person prioritizes when judging individual performances.
If the focus is on offensive production, leadership, and the ability to take over games, Brunson has the stronger argument. His 45-point performance in Game 5 was an extraordinary way to close out a championship, and his series average demonstrated just how consistently dangerous he was.
However, if the discussion focuses on two-way impact, Anunoby deserves serious consideration. He was not simply a defensive specialist standing in the corner waiting for opportunities. He contributed offensively while making important plays that helped New York survive difficult moments.
The truth is that the Knicks benefited from having both players available when it mattered most.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and the rest of the supporting cast also played important roles in the championship run. Reducing the entire achievement to a debate between two teammates risks overlooking the collective effort that made the title possible.
Nevertheless, these conversations are part of what makes basketball so fascinating. Fans can agree on the final result while disagreeing passionately about which player made the greatest difference.
What LeBron’s Comments Mean for the Knicks
James’ assessment should not take anything away from Brunson’s achievement, but it does provide a fresh perspective on a championship run that will be remembered in New York for generations.
The Knicks have spent years searching for the kind of consistency and leadership that Brunson has brought to the franchise. His arrival in 2022 transformed the team’s ambitions, and his performances during the 2026 playoffs ultimately helped deliver the championship that supporters had waited decades to celebrate.
Anunoby’s emergence as such an important contributor, meanwhile, demonstrates why building a championship roster requires more than acquiring a superstar.
The best teams combine elite offensive talent with defenders who can change games, role players who understand their responsibilities, and teammates willing to make sacrifices for the greater objective.
New York’s championship success was built on that balance.
With the 2026-27 season approaching, the Knicks will need Brunson and Anunoby to maintain their high standards as they attempt to defend their title. Other contenders will be studying what made New York successful, and the Knicks themselves will have to prove that their championship was the beginning of a sustained period of success rather than a one-season breakthrough.
James’ comments also underline how much respect the Knicks have earned around the league. Their players are no longer being discussed merely as hopeful contenders; they are being evaluated against the highest standards of championship basketball.
The Final Verdict
LeBron James has made a compelling case for OG Anunoby, particularly when considering the defensive plays and clutch contributions that helped the Knicks defeat the Spurs.
But Brunson’s 32.6 points per game and his extraordinary 45-point performance in the championship-clinching game make it difficult to argue that his Finals MVP award was anything other than deserved.
Both players were essential to New York’s historic achievement, and the debate ultimately comes down to how fans define value in the NBA Finals.
Was Brunson the obvious choice because he carried the offensive burden and delivered the biggest scoring performance, or should Anunoby have received greater consideration for his all-around impact?
LeBron has made his position clear. Now, Knicks fans and basketball supporters can decide whether they agree with the King or believe Brunson was unquestionably the right choice.