Stephen A. Smith Explains Why He Deserves Credit for Knicks in NBA Finals
The New York Knicks are in the NBA Finals after putting together what many fans consider an impressive run, given their dominance of the Eastern Conference.
Along the way, they’ve had plenty of fans backing them, and as one might expect, ESPN’s biggest Knicks fan, Stephen A. Smith, believes he deserves credit for their success.
“I deserve some credit, so I’m gonna take it. You know, when I called the Knicks out, I almost had a stroke on national television,” Smith said, adding, “They didn’t lose since. They’ve been 11-0.”
They achieved an admirable streak in this NBA postseason, compiling 11 straight wins, starting with three consecutive victories to close out their opening-round series against the Atlanta Hawks.
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New York followed that up by toppling Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Then they bulldozed through the Eastern Conference Finals by embarrassing Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and the Cleveland Cavaliers in a similar fashion, 4-0.
After Smith took some credit for his criticism sparking this major Knicks’ run, he sent them a strong warning about taking on the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
“There’s a level of urgency. The Spurs can kick your [expletive]. You gotta show up,” Smith said on ESPN, addressing the Knicks. “You gotta be ready for this. You gotta understand, you gotta take them out. You can’t give them no life to breathe!”
Smith is now in San Antonio, where Game 1 tips off Wednesday night, days after the Spurs emerged victorious from a seven-game battle against NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder, which is no easy feat. Outplaying the reigning champions could mean they are now physically and mentally exhausted, or that they have ultimate confidence in their ability to win big games.
Before that, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have appeared in back-to-back Western Conference Finals, and seemed on the brink of reaching the NBA Finals each time.
Meanwhile, the Knicks were resting up in anticipation of their NBA Finals matchup against a team it knows is young, hungry, and extremely talented. Whether they continue the dominance they displayed in the East or are rusty coming out of the gate remains to be seen, but Smith’s message was loud and clear: the Knicks better be prepared.
Game 1 between the Knicks and Thunder begins at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN on Wednesday.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 9:44 AM.