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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 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 livestreamed from inside the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden on Friday, one day after the Knicks’ long-awaited ticker-tape championship parade.
Smith appeared to face boos shortly after he was welcomed to the stage. The noise grew louder when Hart said he had kept mental receipts of Smith’s past Knicks criticism.
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New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson celebrates with teammates after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in game five 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 claim 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 in 2022, a move Smith quickly dismissed by declaring the guard “isn’t the answer” for the Knicks.
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After revisiting Smith’s past comments, Hart pointed to the championship trophy beside him and pressed the 58-year-old to acknowledge his remarks. “We are now sitting here with this golden trophy there to your right. Can you sit here and admit you were wrong?”
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart looks on 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/Imagn Images)
Smith did not push back. Instead, he offered an 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.”
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 Nov. 8, 2024. (Paras 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.
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