Jalen Brunson’s MVP performance in the 2026 NBA Finals prompted lofty comparisons, with ESPN’s Alan Hahn proclaiming the New York Knicks star the league’s “closest thing to Kobe Bryant.”
Many were outraged, arguing that Bryant’s legacy is incomparable. However, after Brunson led the Knicks to their first championship since 1973, he received the ultimate endorsement from the Bryant family via the late Los Angeles Lakers legend’s wife, Vanessa.
Vanessa Bryant Sends Special Message to Jalen Brunson After Knicks’ NBA Championship
Two days after the Knicks’ title win over the San Antonio Spurs, Vanessa shared a photo of Brunson on her Instagram Story with the caption, “Job’s finished.”
Vanessa Bryant on IG:
“Job’s Finished.”
(h/t @KicksFinder) pic.twitter.com/gOWE7Uherf
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 15, 2026
The iconic phrase is associated with her late husband. During the 2009 NBA Finals, Kobe famously responded, “Job’s not finished” when asked about the Lakers taking a 2-0 series lead over the Orlando Magic.
17 years later, Vanessa appeared to embrace the same “Mamba mentality” after Brunson ended New York’s 53-year championship drought while earning Finals MVP honors.
The gesture carried extra significance given Brunson’s long-standing admiration for Kobe. Throughout the Finals, the New York standout wore various models from the Hall of Famer’s signature Nike sneaker line, including several Kobe 6 Protro colorways and a custom Knicks-themed pair.
Vanessa’s sentiment came not long after Hahn made headlines with his bold Kobe comparison on “Get Up” while discussing Brunson’s heroic Finals effort.
Brunson averaged 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across five Finals outings, including a historic 45-point eruption in Saturday’s title-clinching Game 5 win.
“That’s the closest thing to Kobe we have seen in the NBA.”
– @alanhahn on Jalen Brunson
(Via @GetUpESPN ) pic.twitter.com/1dY9Q6TIQk
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 15, 2026
Brunson’s reverence for Kobe is also personal, as his mother was teammates with the 18-time All-Star’s sister, Sharia, on Temple University’s volleyball team, giving Brunson the opportunity to meet the Lakers icon at a young age.
One particular interaction with Kobe left a lasting impression on Brunson.
“I just remember him walking down the hallway,” Brunson said during an interview, while recalling meeting Bryant after a Lakers game in Chicago. “Kobe said something that, to this day, I will never forget, ‘Why work if you don’t want to be the best?'”
Brunson noted that the lesson stuck with him throughout his basketball journey. He also revealed that the five-time NBA champion later gifted him a pair of Christmas-themed Kobe sneakers.
The NBA world can debate whether it is warranted to compare Brunson to Kobe. Regardless, the Knicks star has already received a stamp of approval from the Bryant family, who may see traces of the “Black Mamba” in the newly crowned Finals MVP.
