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ESPN star Stephen A. Smith has long been one of the New York Knicks’ most vocal critics, but the New York 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 broadcast live from 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 on stage. The noise grew louder when Hart said he kept mental records of Smith’s past criticism of the Knicks.
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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 assertion that Villanova’s 2016 national championship team lacked NBA-caliber prospects. Hart, Brunson and Mikal Bridges went on to become NBA draft picks and help fuel the Knicks’ title run. Brunson signed with New York in 2022, a move Smith quickly dismissed saying the guard “is not the answer” for the Knicks.
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After revisiting Smith’s past comments, Hart pointed to the championship trophy next to him and pressed the 58-year-old to acknowledge his remarks. “We are now sitting here with this gold trophy 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 3 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 fight back. Instead, he apologized to Brunson, Hart and the Knicks organization.
“I was completely wrong. I apologize to that 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 my womb as a Knicks fan. I’m 58 years old. The last time the New York Knicks were won a title before last Saturday, I was 4 years old.”
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. (By 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 happily 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.
