NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
ESPN star Stephen A. Smith has long been one of the New York Knicks’ most vocal critics, but the New York City native struck a different tone this week.
Days after the Knicks won their first NBA title in more than five decades, the longtime “First Take” host joined Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart for a live taping of their “Roommates Show” podcast. The event was streamed live from inside the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden on Friday, a day after the Knicks’ long-awaited ticker-tape championship parade.
Smith appeared to face boos shortly after being welcomed on stage. The noise grew louder when Hart said he had kept mental receipts of Smith’s past Knicks criticisms.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson celebrates with teammates after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas on June 13, 2026. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
One of Hart’s notes centered on Smith’s contention that Villanova’s 2016 national championship roster lacked NBA-caliber prospects. Hart, Brunson and Mikal Bridges later became NBA draft picks and helped fuel the Knicks’ title run. Brunson signed with New York through 2022, a move Smith quickly dismissed by declaring the guard is “not the answer” for the Knicks.
JALEN BRUNSON’S SISTER BLASTES ESPN AFTER STEPHEN A SMITH KNICKS RANT: ‘ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS’
After revisiting Smith’s earlier comments, Hart pointed to the championship trophy next to him and pressed the 58-year-old to acknowledge his remarks. “We now sit here with this golden trophy to your right. Can you sit here and admit that you were wrong?”
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart looks on after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on May 23, 2026. (David Richard/Imagn Images)
Smith did not back down. Instead, he offered an apology to Brunson, Hart and the Knicks organization.
“I was more and more 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’ve 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 before I last won the title in New York on Saturday.”
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. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
But Smith suggested his apology came with a caveat: If years of criticism helped end the Knicks’ championship drought, he’d be happy to do it again.
“So I apologize for being wrong,” Smith continued. “But let me be absolutely 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.
