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ESPN star Stephen A. Smith has long been one of the New York Knicks’ loudest critics, but the New York City native took a different tone this week.
Days after the Knicks won their first NBA title in more than five decades, the veteran “First Take” host joined Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart for a live taping of their “Roommates Show” podcast. The event was broadcast live from inside the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden on Friday, a day after the Knicks’ long-awaited championship parade.
Smith appeared to face boos shortly after being welcomed onto the stage. The noise grew louder when Hart said he had kept mental receipts of Smith’s previous criticisms of the Knicks.
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New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson celebrates with his teammates after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 13, 2026. (Geoff Burke/Image Images)
One of Hart’s notes focused on Smith’s claim that Villanova’s 2016 national championship roster lacked NBA-caliber prospects. Hart, Brunson and Mikal Bridges later became NBA draft picks and helped spark the Knicks’ title run. Brunson signed with New York in 2022, a move Smith quickly ruled out, declaring that the point guard is “not the answer” for the Knicks.
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After reviewing Smith’s earlier comments, Hart pointed to the championship trophy next to him and pressed the 58-year-old to acknowledge his comments. “Now we are sitting here with this golden trophy to your right. Can you sit here and admit that you were wrong?”
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart watches after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the Eastern Conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 23, 2026. (David Richard/Image Images)
Smith did not back down. Instead, he offered an apology to Brunson, Hart and the Knicks organization.
“I was beyond wrong. I apologize to this brother on national television; I apologize to you; I apologize to the entire Knicks organization. Let me be very, very clear: I have never been happier 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.”
Stephen A. Smith on set during a live broadcast of ESPN’s “First Take” at Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia on November 8, 2024. (For Griffin/Getty Images)
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However, Smith suggested his apology came with a caveat: If years of criticism helped end the Knicks’ championship drought, he would gladly do it again.
“So, I apologize for being wrong,” Smith continued. “But let me be very clear: If it means another championship, I would do it again.”
Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride and former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony also appeared on the podcast episode.
