ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, a well-known critic of the New York Knicks, expressed a change in sentiment after the team won their first NBA title in over fifty years. Smith, originally from New York City, appeared alongside Knicks players Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart during a live taping of their “Roommates Show” podcast. This event was streamed from the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden, occurring a day after the Knicks’ ticker-tape championship parade.
As Smith joined the stage, the audience voiced their disapproval, particularly when Hart highlighted Smith’s previous criticism of the Knicks. One of Hart’s pointed remarks involved Smith’s critique of the 2016 Villanova national championship team, which he claimed lacked NBA-caliber talent. Hart, Brunson, and Mikal Bridges, who were part of that team, later became NBA players and were instrumental in the Knicks’ title success. In 2022, Brunson’s signing with the Knicks was downplayed by Smith, who declared Brunson “isn’t the answer,” a statement that Hart openly challenged during the podcast.
“We are now sitting here with this golden trophy there to your right. Can you sit here and admit you were wrong?” Hart asked Smith, referencing the championship trophy on stage. Smith admitted his mistake and offered a public apology to Brunson, Hart, and the Knicks organization.
“I was beyond wrong. I’m apologizing to this brother on national television; I’m apologizing to you; I’m apologizing to the entire Knicks organization. Let me be very, very clear — I have never been more happy to be wrong in my life. Let me be very, very clear — I came out of the womb a Knicks fan. I’m 58 years old. The last time the New York Knicks won a title before last Saturday, I was 4.”
Though apologetic, Smith suggested that if his critiques contributed to the team ending their championship drought, he would repeat his actions. “So, I apologize for being wrong,” Smith continued. “But let me be very clear: if it means another championship, I would do it again.”
The podcast episode also featured appearances by Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride, and former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony, highlighting the celebration and reflection on the team’s historic victory.