ESPN's Stephen A. Smith Expresses Confidence In New York Knicks Ahead Of Game 6 Against Miami Heat

No matter the result, New York Knicks fans are always going to bring the energy. One of the most vocal Knicks fans expressing excitement this morning was ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith. Smith opened up First Take on Thursday praising his team, just days after saying the series was over.

“Did you miss me?” Smith said. “That’s right I’m back! I had a day off to recover after watching the New York Knicks perform in Game 4 in such sorry fashion. I suspected they would handle their business in New York City, which they did last night in Game 5. Now we’ve got a Game 6 in Miami Friday night. I didn’t even bring up what the hell’s going on between Phoenix and Denver, or Boston and Philadelphia. ”

Smith even addressed rumors of players complaining about him criticizing them.

"To the New York Knicks, and I need an iso. ... Word has gotten to me that you all have been complaining about me. ... I don't give a damn. Not even a little bit."@stephenasmith has a message for the Knicks 👀 pic.twitter.com/tLivjvrXaW
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 11, 2023

“I don’t give a damn, not even a little bit,” Smith said. “I ain’t gonna lose a second of sleep over how you feel about what I’ve said, because I love the Knicks. There’s two teams I have no objectivity about: the Knicks and the Yankees. I am a fan first. That doesn’t stop me from giving my analysis, but it hits me personally because there’s no one on this planet that roots for the Knicks more than me. And damn it, we as Knicks fans have suffered for over 50 years.”

To this, some on social media ridiculed Smith for believing players were invested in his words.

This guys trynna so hard to be the villain 🤣🤣
— ZAID💤💤 (@zaidnoubani24) May 11, 2023

this dude really think he that of a big deal 🤣🤣
— OPINIONATED (@Carlemagn) May 11, 2023

The Heat host New York Friday night for Game 6. If the Knicks somehow defeat Miami to force Game 7, Smith might celebrate like his team just won the Finals.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.