LeBron James Sparks Knicks Debate After Naming OG Anunoby the Real Finals MVP
Jalen Brunson has the NBA championship ring, the Finals MVP trophy and a place in New York Knicks history. But apparently, even after delivering the biggest prize the franchise had waited more than half a century to celebrate, there is still room for debate about who truly deserved the ultimate individual honour.
Enter LeBron James, one of basketball’s most accomplished players, who has offered a different perspective on the Knicks’ championship run. Rather than simply celebrating Brunson’s official recognition, James believes OG Anunoby deserves serious consideration as the team’s most valuable player during the Finals.
It is the kind of basketball debate that gets fans talking because both sides have a compelling case. Brunson was the headline star, but Anunoby’s contribution was impossible to overlook. And when a legend like LeBron weighs in, the conversation becomes even more interesting.
LeBron James Makes His Feelings Clear
Speaking on his Mind the Game podcast, James explained why he believed Anunoby was the Knicks’ most valuable performer during their 2026 NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
“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 claimed.
He also offered another assessment of the two Knicks stars, saying: “Obviously, Jalen Brunson was the head of the snake. But OG was the most steady person for that team.”
Those comments are revealing because James is not necessarily dismissing Brunson’s importance. Instead, he is highlighting the contributions that can sometimes get lost when a team has a clear superstar.
In basketball, the player who attracts the most attention is not always the one whose every contribution is easiest to appreciate. Defence, timely shooting, rebounding and making the correct play can determine championship games just as much as spectacular scoring performances.
James has played in numerous NBA Finals and understands the different ways players influence a series. His argument is therefore worth considering, even if Knicks supporters believe Brunson’s performances made the final decision straightforward.
Why Jalen Brunson Deserved the Award
Let’s be honest: Brunson’s case is incredibly difficult to argue against.
The Knicks defeated the Spurs in five games to capture their first NBA championship since 1973. Brunson averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game during the Finals, establishing himself as the driving force behind New York’s historic achievement.
His performance in Game 5 was particularly extraordinary. Brunson scored 45 points in a 94-90 victory, setting a Knicks record for points in an NBA Finals game and delivering the decisive performance that ended the franchise’s 53-year championship drought.
He also scored 29 points in the second half, repeatedly finding ways to keep New York alive when the Spurs threatened to extend the series.
Those are not ordinary numbers. They are the kind of performances that define a championship run and turn a talented player into a franchise legend.
Brunson had faced criticism in previous seasons over whether he could be the leading man on a championship team. Winning the title and taking home Finals MVP provided a powerful response to those doubts.
For that reason, suggesting someone else was the Knicks’ real Finals MVP is always going to generate controversy. Brunson did not simply collect points while his teammates carried the burden. He repeatedly delivered when New York needed him most.
OG Anunoby’s Case Should Not Be Ignored
However, LeBron’s argument becomes much more interesting when you look at what Anunoby brought to the series.
Anunoby averaged 23.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game against San Antonio. Those numbers demonstrate that his contribution went well beyond playing dependable defence or knocking down occasional three-pointers.
He was a significant scoring option in his own right, providing the Knicks with another player capable of punishing opposing defences.
His biggest moment came in Game 4, when his tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining completed New York’s dramatic comeback victory. The Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit to win 107-106, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
Think about what that meant. The Spurs were on the verge of producing a memorable victory, only for New York to produce one of the most remarkable comebacks in Finals history.
Anunoby’s decisive contribution helped put the championship within touching distance.
That is precisely the type of moment James is highlighting. Championships are often remembered through the performances of their biggest stars, but they can also turn on contributions from players who deliver at exactly the right time.
Anunoby’s defence, scoring and composure gave the Knicks another dimension. Without him, Brunson might have faced an even heavier burden against a talented Spurs team featuring Victor Wembanyama.
The Difference Between the Best Player and the Most Valuable Player
This is where the argument becomes more than a disagreement about two teammates.
Is the Finals MVP necessarily the best player in the series, the player who produces the most impressive statistics, or the one whose contribution matters most to the team’s success?
Those descriptions often point towards the same person, but not always.
Brunson was New York’s offensive leader. His scoring ability, decision-making and confidence gave the Knicks someone they could trust when games became uncomfortable.
Anunoby, meanwhile, offered a different combination of scoring, defensive versatility and timely interventions. His importance was particularly obvious during the dramatic Game 4 comeback.
The distinction matters because basketball is a team sport in which individual performances depend on what happens around them. A dominant scorer can attract defensive attention, creating opportunities for teammates. A strong defender can disrupt an opponent’s rhythm and create the conditions for a comeback.
Neither contribution should be dismissed.
Personally, Brunson remains the stronger choice for the official award given his extraordinary scoring output and his decisive Game 5 performance. But that does not mean James is wrong to emphasise Anunoby’s value.
There is a difference between arguing that Brunson deserved the trophy and pretending Anunoby was merely a supporting character.
What LeBron’s Comments Mean for the Knicks
The good news for New York is that this debate does not have to create a rivalry between two players who helped deliver the franchise’s greatest achievement in generations.
The Knicks needed Brunson’s leadership, but they also needed Anunoby’s all-around contribution. Their championship success was built on having multiple players capable of stepping forward when the circumstances demanded it.
That balance could be important as New York looks to defend its title. Opponents will spend considerable time figuring out how to limit Brunson, particularly after his remarkable Finals performance.
Having another high-level performer in Anunoby gives the Knicks a potential answer when defensive attention shifts towards their captain.
James’s comments also underline how closely the league’s biggest stars study championship basketball. Even when the trophy has been awarded and the celebrations are over, elite players continue to analyse the small details that separate winning teams from losing ones.
For Knicks fans, that recognition should be encouraging rather than divisive.
Brunson or Anunoby: Who Was the Real MVP?
LeBron James has reopened an interesting debate, but the official result remains unchanged: Brunson was the 2026 NBA Finals MVP, and his performances provided a compelling justification for that honour.
Anunoby, however, deserves enormous credit for his role in New York’s championship run. His numbers and decisive Game 4 contribution demonstrate why James believes his importance deserves even greater recognition.
Ultimately, the Knicks won because they had both players performing at a championship level. Brunson delivered the superstar performances, while Anunoby provided the kind of two-way impact that can make an excellent team almost impossible to stop.
So, was LeBron right to suggest Anunoby was the Knicks’ real Finals MVP, or did Brunson’s historic scoring performances make him the only legitimate choice? Knicks fans will certainly have strong opinions, and this debate is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.