Brunson secured his first ring three years older than Curry, who was just 26 when he won his first NBA Finals. However, the Golden State Warriors legend shares the distinction of winning the title in his very first Finals appearance.

Compared to James, Brunson is two years older than the Lakers star was during his first championship run. James was 27 when he got his first ring against Oklahoma City. Had Brunson not won, Victor Wembanyama could have done it at 22 but he came up short in his first trip to the Finals.

Brunson left his mark on the Finals

Brunson didn’t just help bring a title to New York; he also posted some massive individual numbers this postseason. He logged his fourth-highest playoff scoring average while pulling down a postseason career-high 4.1 defensive rebounds per game.

In the decisive Game 5 against the Spurs to clinch the title, Brunson dropped 45 points, another feat that holds up against James and Curry. It’s a performance that will undoubtedly go down in franchise history as an iconic moment, anchoring the team’s comeback to win the Finals.

Brunson didn’t cruise to this ring, either. The Knicks battled through some regular-season turbulence and missed out on the top seed in the Eastern Conference. But once the playoffs started, they found a second gear, dropping just three games total and avoiding a single Game 7.

Just like Wembanyama, James suffered a painful defeat in the 2007 NBA Finals while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. His team was swept 4-0 by the San Antonio Spurs, the very same franchise that looks much better today with the talented, towering Frenchman on the roster.

On the other hand, Stephen Curry also enters the conversation when comparing what Wembanyama accomplished in his first Finals appearance. But the Golden State Warriors guard fared much better, winning his first big trophy in 2015 with the team he has played for since 2009.

A great learning experience for Wembanyama and the Spurs

What Wembanyama accomplished in just his third NBA season, helping the Spurs put together a deep playoff run and knocking out the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder along the way, was incredibly impressive. It’s a valuable learning experience he can use down the road to get his revenge against the Knicks.

That’s pretty much exactly what James did after losing his first Finals back in 2007. It wasn’t until 2013 that he finally got his revenge against the Spurs, winning a thrilling 4-3 series against San Antonio as a member of the Miami Heat.

Wembanyama can also look at how well Curry has fared with the Warriors, having lost just two Finals in his career. One of those losses came during his second trip to the championship stage, falling to none other than James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Brunson ended with 45 points, but it fell a bit short of Curry’s best NBA Finals performance. Back in Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Finals, Curry had 47 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists against the Toronto Raptors.

On the other hand, LeBron James‘ best NBA Finals game came in Game 1 of the 2018 series vs. the Golden State Warriors. James scored 51 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in that game. Alongside his 45 points, Brunson had just three rebounds and three assists.

There’s a key difference in Brunson’s performance compared to Curry and James’

While scoring 45 points is nothing to be ashamed of, the box score alone signal James and Curry games as better than Brunson’s. Not only on the points statistics, but also on rebounds and assists.

However, Brunson wouldn’t trade his performance with either of them. After all, James and Curry both lost those games, while Brunson’s gave the Knicks their first NBA Championship in more than five decades. There’s no price tag in what Brunson just achieved.

Brunson’s NBA Finals performance puts him in elite company

Per Underdog NBA, there’s only been four players in NBA history scoring 45+ points in a closeout game in the NBA Finals. Brunson is the fourth guy on that list, joining top-talent names:

• Jalen Brunson
• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Michael Jordan
• Bob Pettit

In NBA playoff history, teams that trail 3-1 in a series have a very hard time coming back. If San Antonio manages to overcome its 3-1 deficit against New York, it will accomplish what only LeBron and Cleveland could. As for 3-0 deficits, no team has ever overcome such a disadvantage in Finals history. Not only that, no team has ever come back from down 3-0 in any playoff series.

If Victor Wembanyama achieves such a milestone in only his third year in the league, comparisons to LeBron will be off to a great start. Needless to say, no other team aside from the Cavs has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals.

Those who came close to 3-1 comebacks in NBA Finals

Throughout league history, 23 teams managed to extend the series to seven games after falling behind 3-1. Only LeBron and Cleveland were able to come away with a win in Game 7.

For instance, the Knicks forced a Game 7 after falling behind 3-0 against the Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) in the 1951 NBA Finals. The Los Angeles Lakers also forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-1 against the Boston Celtics in the 1966 NBA Finals. However, neither team could complete the comeback.

It felt impossible until LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and company rallied from a 3-1 deficit against Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and the Golden State Warriors in 2016. The odds of such a comeback ever happening again are low, but if there’s someone who could pull it off, it might be ‘Wemby’ and the Spurs.

Almost made NBA history

Had San Antonio not blown a 29-point lead in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, the Knicks and Spurs would have found themselves on the wrong side of an unprecedented mark in league history. Never before had both NBA finalists lost their first two home games of the series.

Home court could have been considered a disadvantage, but New York rallied from an improbable deficit to put itself one win away from its first championship since 1973.

Last sweep in NBA Finals

Just as they were responsible for the most remarkable and memorable comeback in NBA Finals history, LeBron James and the Cavaliers were also involved the last time a team was swept in the championship round. The Warriors played a role in that one as well.

The last sweep in the NBA Finals was in 2018, when Golden State blew Cleveland out of the water in four games en route to the Warriors’ sixth NBA championship. Throughout league history, a total of nine NBA Finals have ended in a four-game sweep.

The last time a Western Conference team was swept in the NBA Finals was in 1989, when the Los Angeles Lakers fell at the hands of the Detroit Pistons. Since, four Eastern Conference sides have been in the losing end of sweeps, including the Cavs being swept twice.

During an appearance on The Late Run Show, Smith pulled no punches when comparing the two icons. “He played 23 years, he still has 2 less titles than Michael Jordan,” Smith said. “Michael Jordan played all 82 games 8 times, how many times did LeBron do it? Michael Jordan is a 10x Scoring Champion, how many times did LeBron do it?”

With James having logged more seasons in the NBA than Jordan, critics point out that it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Los Angeles Lakers star to match the efficiency of the “GOAT.” Even if LeBron manages to tie Jordan’s ring count down the line, it will have taken him significantly longer to achieve it.

Jordan surpasses James in several major categories

Smith didn’t stop at comparing their longevity and championship rings; he also emphasized that the former Heat and Cavaliers star still trails Jordan in numerous premier defensive and accolades categories. “Michael Jordan is 9x All-NBA Defensive Team player, how many times did LeBron do it? There’s nothing to discuss,” Smith added.

This is far from the first time the basketball world has seen a deep dive into the GOAT debate, but when a prominent media figure like Smith delivers such a definitive take, it naturally commands attention, especially considering he has occasionally defended James’ legacy in other formats.

While James is unlikely to offer a direct public response to Smith’s latest critique, the clip quickly went viral across social media. Garnering over 1 million views on X, it gave basketball fans plenty to talk about this week even as the NBA Finals take center stage.

When asked if he would recruit James, Mitchell shut down the reporter. “We just ended the game. That’s not for me. I’m not tryna get a headline. No matter what I say, it’s going to be a thing. Sorry, I’m not gonna give you anything,” he said.

Mitchell also reflected on the loss to the Knicks, admitting the team failed to give themselves a real chance. He noted that the Cavs simply didn’t handle their business effectively during the earlier rounds, “We didn’t give ourselves a chance because we didn’t handle business.”

Mitchell makes feelings about Cavaliers future clear

Mitchell has made his intentions clear regarding his future with the Cavaliers, prioritizing a long-term extension over a potential exit. Despite the recent postseason heartbreak, the star guard remains deeply committed to the franchise and the city of Cleveland.

The guard’s devotion to the team was evident during his end-of-season press conference when he addressed the swirling rumors about his upcoming contract. “I love it here. I don’t know how else to say it, but I love it here. We have unfinished business. This city deserves a ring and we’re just gonna keep going,” Mitchell declared.

Mitchell’s commitment is backed by elite production, as he averaged 27.9 points and 5.7 assists per game throughout the 2026 season while maintaining high efficiency. Since joining the Cavaliers, he has rewritten the franchise record books with multiple 40-point performances and consistent All-NBA caliber play in the backcourt.

In an exclusive interview that Carlos Delfino gave to Bolavip Argentina, the former small forward spoke deeply about pretty much everything. Of course, he was asked about NBA’s newest sensation, Victor Wembanyama. Given that Delfino played with Kobe, LeBron and was a teammate of Giannis, he was able to compare them.

“Youth gives you that recklessness, but it also gives you physical dominance at a level that, compared to Kobe, LeBron, or Giannis when they were young, they didn’t have that early dominance that they later achieved,” Delfino said. “Wemby is agile, tall, he changes shots, he changes the dynamics and geometry on the court. He’s very impressive.”

Wembanyama is something never seen before in the NBA

The NBA has seen taller players than Wembanyama. The Spurs center comes at 7’5″ tall, which falls shorter to Yao Ming, Tacko Fall, and Shawn Bradley (all 7’6″), Gheorge Muresan, and Manute Bol (7’7″). However, there is a key difference.

Those towering presences were good defenders and able to attack under the rim. Wembanyama can do that and more. He can dribble, he can shoot it from distance, and his agility is unreal for a guy his size. Also, he’s been durable so far in his career. Ming, Bradley, Muresan, and Bol were too injury prone during his NBA days.

The Spurs have a history of elite big men

If there’s a team that can factually say that they’ve been successful time and time again by surrounding top-tier big men with a good, competent core, it’s the Spurs. From solid veterans like Pau Gasol, Dennis Rodman, Artis Gilmore, and LaMarcus Aldridge, to absolute legends like David Robinson and Tim Duncan, the Spurs know how to ride with big men as the first option.

Robinson and Duncan are some of the best big men of all time. Now, they got Wembanyama, and if he delivers a championship, he will etch his name alongside Duncan and Robinson. For now, he is already dominating and made the Spurs a contender.

“This is a disgraceful late-game show of effort by the Cavaliers,” Smith posted, emphasizing that the franchise desperately needs a new leader. He didn’t hold back on his proposed solution, shockingly declaring, “I’m saying it…….they need LeBron James to return home to save the day“ if they ever want to bring another title to Cleveland.

Smith argued that while he is a Knicks fan, the truth about Cleveland’s lack of “fire” is undeniable and requires a monumental shift in team culture. He believes that the current group lacks the championship DNA that only a player of LeBron‘s caliber can provide.

Will LeBron return to Cleveland while Bayless slams Harden?

The prospect of a third James stint in Cleveland brings back memories of his peak years, specifically the historic 2016 comeback and multiple NBA Finals appearances. While James is currently under contract in Los Angeles, the rumors of a “homecoming” often resurface when the Cavaliers’ young core fails to execute.

Skip Bayless added fuel to the fire by criticizing the leadership of James Harden, noting that in a critical home game, the guard displayed “loser intangibles” with five costly turnovers. Bayless pointed out that Harden went 1-of-7 from beyond the arc, claiming the star played with “no follow-me fire, no apparent urgency or energy” when the season was on the line.

The odds of a LeBron return remain speculative, but the lack of veteran poise has clearly left a void that the media believes only “The King” can fill. With the Cavaliers now facing an uphill battle and analysts like Bayless and Smith questioning their heart, the front office may be forced to consider drastic roster changes.

Among the many talented veterans on the Oklahoma City Thunder roster, there was one who made a lasting impression on James: Alex Caruso, his former Lakers teammate. In the aftermath of watching Caruso close in on his third NBA Finals appearance, the 41-year-old legend found himself thinking fondly of the reunion and their brief time together in Los Angeles.

“I miss [Alex Caruso] every single day, every single day,” said James on the ‘Mind the Game’ podcast with Steve Nash. “To be able to compete against him, in a playoff series, it’s everything.”

LeBron recognizes Caruso’s great utility

LeBron misses him, and with good reason, as he is a difference-maker for OKC, which is already a team loaded with elite talent, but Caruso shines because of the additional areas he covers, serving as a defensive master who takes care of the heavyweights.

“Two things are for certain: if you wanna compete, AC’s gonna be right there. He’s gonna get underneath you, he’s gonna grab you, hold you, he’s gonna compete, and he’s gonna do it at a professional level. AC’s not gonna beat himself; you have to play that chess game with AC, understanding where he is on the floor. He’s damn good with his hands; you can’t play with the ball around him because he will take it from you. So, you have to be very strategic with your movements,” James added.

“Offensively, you have to be very strategic with your body positioning with him. But it was great to compete against him. I already knew he was guarding me every time he came off the bench, no matter if Dort was on the floor or not. I knew AC would check me because we have so much history.”

Caruso’s numbers

In total, over his first four seasons, Caruso averaged 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game on 42.3% shooting and 29.3% shooting from three. He was considered a favorite among fans, but his stay would last only until 2021, when he joined the Chicago Bulls.

For his part, Caruso is making his case as one of the greatest role-players ever, and it’s a sentiment that LeBron himself might agree with. While he’s always been a consistent and reliable contributor off the bench, he’s been a hero for the Thunder this year, with Game 1 being his greatest performance with 31 points, two rebounds, one assist, two steals, and two blocks on 57.9% shooting and 57.1% shooting from three.

Amid the uncertainty over his future with the Lakers, Austin Reaves was spotted at the airport, where a fan asked him questions about him and LeBron James. TMZ Sports acquired the footage and released it on social media, where Austin Reaves’ body language and words suggest he is fully inclined toward extending with the Lakers and wants them to sign the 41-year-old LeBron James as well.

“Yes,” Reaves said when the fan asked him if the Lakers want LeBron James back next year. “That’s the GOAT.” The fan then reminded him how sad it was to see the Lakers’ playoff run without Luka Doncic and asked him if he wants to have another shot with the Lakers’ Big Three next season. “Run it back,” Reaves responded. He was subsequently asked if he feels the Lakers should make roster changes in the offseason, replying, “I don’t get into all that. I’ve got to sign first.”

Austin Reaves and a decision to make

While LeBron James is already an unrestricted free agent, Austin Reaves has yet to pick up his $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season. The absolute deadline for him to decide on that player option is June 29. If the Lakers and Reaves do not come to terms on a potential extension before that time, and he does not exercise his player option, then even Reaves would become an unrestricted free agent.

All signs are that Reaves will exercise the player option if the negotiations do not yield fruit in time, as he has repeatedly suggested that he wants to retire in the purple and gold uniform.

Moreover, he would potentially be leaving $62 million on the table if he joins any other team than the Lakers. The Lakers could offer him a five-year, $240 million extension, while any other team can offer a four-year, $178 million contract at the most.

But whether LeBron James will “run it back” with him and the Lakers remains uncertain. The 41-year-old is mulling retirement, but sources suggest LeBron James will play at least one more year in the NBA.

“He has the ability to do things that we haven’t seen in our league ever,” James remarked during a Mind The Game interview. LeBron noted that Wembanyama‘s maturity is evident in his approach to the professional game, adding, “You could tell by the way he talks, you could tell by his demeanor, like you know he knows the game.“

James also pointed out the historical luck of the Spurs franchise in landing transformative big men throughout the decades. “San Antonio continues to get lucky as f— with these generational, talented, IQ, smart guys,” he said, specifically referencing the lineage that includes Hall of Famers David Robinson and Tim Duncan.

Is Wemby the future for the Spurs?

LeBron is particularly impressed by the “horse blinders” mentality Wembanyama shares with past Spurs legends, noting that for Victor, “the mission is the mission, and that is all that matters.” This dead-serious focus has already translated into historic production, with the young center averaging over 25 points and 11.5 rebounds in the 2025-26 season.

Wembanyama has almost single-handedly revitalized the San Antonio defense, leading the NBA in blocks and forcing opponents to completely abandon the paint. His ability to hit step-back threes at his height makes him a matchup nightmare that even a veteran like James admits is “pretty remarkable to see” in person.

If Wembanyama can continue this trajectory, he is expected to push the Spurs back into championship contention much faster than typical rebuilding timelines suggest. With the front office focused on surrounding him with elite playmakers, the “Wemby era” looks set to dominate the Western Conference for the next decade and beyond.