NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
The sister of New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson called out ESPN after personality Stephen A. Smith took aim at her brother and best friend Josh Hart’s team during a “First Take” segment.
Smith called out Hart, Brunson’s teammate and co-host of the “Roommates Show” podcast, as the Knicks have struggled in recent games, especially against NBA teams with a record above .500.
Erica Brunson, Jalen’s sister, took the time to post on X on Wednesday, where she criticized the “World Leader” after hearing Smith’s rant about the Knicks.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Jalen Brunson and Erica Brunson attend the Haute Living Jalen Brunson Cover Celebration with JP Morgan Wealth Management and Mijenta Tequila at Avra Rockefeller on October 26, 2024 in New York City. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)
“I used to always have ESPN on in the background during the day,” Erica Brunson wrote in X. “It was a staple growing up. Now? I never turn it on. And this is one of the main reasons. Totally ridiculous.”
The post was prompted by a video capturing Smith’s rant about the Knicks, who have now lost three straight games.
MICHIGAN STATE COACH TOM IZZO: IT WAS ‘DIFFICULT’ TO REJECT SUNS JOB IN 2025
While the team is in playoff position, Smith took direct aim at Hart.
“A message to Josh Hart: Do I need to shut my mouth now? Does what I was saying make sense now? I mean, are you getting it now?” Smith said. “You haven’t won a game since you responded to me. You’re on a losing streak since he responded to me. Maybe if you prioritized what I was saying and paid attention to the substance and veracity of my comments instead of protecting your guys, you would be winning games when facing teams that have a record better than .500.
“Does it make sense now? Because I’m not getting personal. I’m talking about basketball, because every time you face someone who’s relatively respectable, you’re wetting the bed. You’re like 4-8, or 4-9, against winning teams since the All-Star break. But you’re 9-0 against sub-.500 teams. Well, who the hell do you think you’re going to face come playoff time?”
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart reacts to a call during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
The Knicks may be struggling in recent outings, but they’re still winners in seven of their last 10 games. But Smith added that the difficulties will come against teams they will see in the playoffs very soon.
“The New York Knicks are literally a couple of weeks away from the playoffs starting, and Josh Hart is on camera saying, ‘We’re moving in the wrong direction. You know, what do we have to do to get our stuff together?’ We’re looking at a team that doesn’t have a definitive identity yet. We’re looking at a team that New York Knicks fans know is talented and playoff caliber,” Smith said.
Like her brother, Erica Brunson went to Villanova and graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in education. He currently works at CAA, Jalen’s agency, on basketball client and marketing services.
Stephen A. Smith joined Bill Maher on the March 27 episode of “Real Time,” discussing politics and who could potentially lead both parties in the future. (Real Time with Bill Maher/YouTube)
The Knicks have just six regular-season games left before the playoffs begin. They currently sit in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, behind only the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics.
