The New York Knicks are on an absolute roll. Since falling behind the Atlanta Hawks 2-1 in the first round, the Knicks have won nine consecutive games, defeating the Hawks 4-2, sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers, and taking a 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Celebrity Knicks fans like Timothée Chalamet and Ben Stiller have been making road trips with plenty of others showing their support through other forms of media.
However, not every Knicks fan with a platform is excited. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has a different stance.
The NBA World Rips Stephen A. Smith After His Take Prior to Knicks-Cavaliers Game 3
The Knicks are poised to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
Despite their success and the excitement of their fanbase, Smith does not believe a finals appearance is enough. He believes if the Knicks don’t take home a title this year, they will need to make roster changes in the offseason.
“A Finals appearance doesn’t erase or eradicate the stench of having failed to have won the championship since 1973,” Smith said.
The NBA world did not take kindly to Smith’s comments.
Matteo Piper Jenks doesn’t consider Smith to be a real Knicks fan.
“Absolutely no Knicks fan thinks this way in the midst of one of our greatest playoff runs ever with a great core and future … anudder example of how @stephenasmith is a fraudulent Knicks fan,” he wrote.
Absolutely no Knicks fan thinks this way in the midst of one of our greatest playoff runs ever with a great core and future … anudder example of how @stephenasmith is a fraudulent Knicks fan
— Matteo Piper Jenks 🧲 🇮🇹 (@MattPiperJenks) May 22, 2026
Max Popiel is just happy the Knicks seem to have competent people in charge.
“Idc about 1973, I care about now Stephen A,” Popiel said. “This management is much more competent than what was going on in my childhood, and I was born in 2001.”
Idc about 1973 I care about now Stephen A. This management is much more competent than what was going on in my childhood and I was born in 2001
— Max Popiel (@MaxPopiel1) May 22, 2026
Jeff Johnson joked that people are simply taking shots at the Knicks for the clicks.
“The Knicks For Clicks Industrial Complex (KFCIC) is leaving here with somethin,” Johnson posted. “A Knicks fan would not have these discussion less than 12 hours after the team wins their historic 9th straight playoff game, btw.”
The Knicks For Clicks Industrial Complex (KFCIC) is leaving here with somethin.
A Knicks fan would not have these discussion less than 12 hours after the team wins their historic 9th straight playoff game, btw https://t.co/7mZupdys8P
— Jeff Johnson (@JeffJSays) May 22, 2026
Some were still surprised by the take.
“Team is on a generational playoff run and we’re on the media talking about roster changes??” Knickstape Shmurda asked.
Team is on a generational playoff run and we’re on the media talking about roster changes?? https://t.co/kkknD6CNVO
— Knickstape Shmurda (@daley_shmurda) May 22, 2026
New York Knicks Podcast believes Smith’s advice shows what the Knicks should NOT do.
“The Knicks should always do the opposite of whatever Stephen A says, he doesn’t know ball at all,” they wrote on X.
The Knicks should always do the opposite of whatever Stephen A says, he doesn’t know ball at all. https://t.co/wB9fRqocvo
— NYKnicksPodcast (@NYKnicksPodcast) May 22, 2026
The desire for a championship, especially in the basketball mecca, makes sense, but Smith’s hot takes about changing the roster while the team is on a nine-game playoff win streak seem quite premature and really isn’t letting yourself enjoy the moment as a fan.
Game 3 between the Knicks and Cavaliers tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET Saturday, and the game can be seen on ABC.
