Stephen A. Smith Channeled Every Knicks Fan With Fiery Game 7 Message to Team

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Stephen A. Smith is one of the most successful personalities in sports media, but at heart, he is a die-hard New York Knicks fan. And following New York's 116-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the East semifinals, Smith traded in his proverbial analyst hat for a Knicks cap during ESPN's postgame coverage of Friday night's contest.
Having witnessed plenty of struggles as a Knicks fan, Smith isn't about to let the team squander an opportunity to make the Eastern Conference finals for just the second time since 2000.
In a segment sure to make New Yorkers proud, Smith spoke for every Knicks fan, imploring the team to "get it done" in a fiery speech.
Stephen A. Smith has a Game 7 message for the Knicks:
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 18, 2024
"HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE: THERE IS NO TOMORROW! THERE IS NO TOMORROW! GET IT DONE... GET IT DONE SUNDAY AT 3:30 EASTERN! BE READY! I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT YOU GOTTA DO! FIGURE IT OUT!" pic.twitter.com/wPyWGac3VZ
After boldly declaring that both Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein, each of whom are nursing injuries, will play and that the Knicks are "going to the Conference finals," Smith began his impassioned speech.
"But dammit, this is what it's about," Smith said. "You've been waiting for decades to get back to the Eastern Conference finals. I understand how you're feeling right now. You didn't put yourself in this position, a lot of injuries, but dammit you've gotten to this point. It's Game 7..."
"Here's the bottom line. There is no tomorrow! There is no tomorrow! Get it done... Get it done Sunday at 3:30 Eastern! Be ready! I don't give a damn what you gotta do! Figure it out!"
What a speech! Someone needs to put it to music and send it to Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau so he can play it for the Knicks in the locker room before Sunday's game.
That said, New York shouldn't need any added motivation or adrenaline, as Madison Square Garden will be packed with 19,500 raucous Knicks fans ready to will their team to victory on Sunday afternoon.

Tim Capurso is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated, primarily covering MLB, college football and college basketball. Before joining SI in November 2023, Capurso worked at RotoBaller and ClutchPoints and is a graduate of Assumption University. When he's not working, he can be found at the gym, reading a book or enjoying a good hike. A resident of New York, Capurso openly wonders if the Giants will ever be a winning football team again.