Josh Hart brings receipts as Stephen A Smith admits he was 'beyond wrong' about the Knicks

ESPN prima Stephen A. Smith has agelong been 1 of the New York Knicks’ loudest critics, but the New York City autochthonal struck a antithetic code this week.

Days aft the Knicks won their archetypal NBA rubric successful much than 5 decades, the longtime "First Take" big joined Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart for a unrecorded taping of their "Roommates Show" podcast. The lawsuit was livestreamed from wrong the Infosys Theater astatine Madison Square Garden connected Friday, 1 time aft the Knicks’ long-awaited ticker-tape title parade.

Smith appeared to look boos soon aft helium was welcomed to the stage. The sound grew louder erstwhile Hart said helium had kept intelligence receipts of Smith’s past Knicks criticism.

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New York Knicks defender Jalen Brunson celebrates with teammates aft the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs successful crippled 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals astatine Frost Bank Center successful San Antonio, Texas, connected June 13, 2026. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)

One of Hart’s notes centered connected Smith’s assertion that Villanova’s 2016 nationalist title roster lacked NBA-caliber prospects. Hart, Brunson and Mikal Bridges aboriginal became NBA draught picks and helped substance the Knicks’ rubric run. Brunson signed with New York successful 2022, a determination Smith rapidly dismissed by declaring the defender "isn’t the answer" for the Knicks.

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After revisiting Smith’s past comments, Hart pointed to the title trophy beside him and pressed the 58-year-old to admit his remarks. "We are present sitting present with this aureate trophy determination to your right. Can you beryllium present and admit you were wrong?"

New York Knicks guardant Josh Hart looks connected aft defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers successful crippled 3 of the Eastern Conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs astatine Rocket Arena successful Cleveland, Ohio, connected May 23, 2026. (David Richard/Imagn Images)

Smith did not propulsion back. Instead, helium offered an apology to Brunson, Hart and the Knicks organization.

"I was beyond wrong. I'm apologizing to this member connected nationalist television; I'm apologizing to you; I'm apologizing to the full Knicks organization. Let maine beryllium very, precise wide — I person ne'er been much blessed to beryllium incorrect successful my life. Let maine beryllium very, precise wide — I came retired of the womb a Knicks fan. I'm 58 years old. The past clip the New York Knicks won a rubric earlier past Saturday, I was 4."

Stephen A. Smith connected acceptable during a unrecorded broadcast of ESPN's "First Take" astatine Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College successful Atlanta, Georgia, connected Nov. 8, 2024. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

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However, Smith suggested his apology came with a caveat: If years of disapproval helped extremity the Knicks’ title drought, helium would gladly bash it again.

"So, I apologize for being wrong," Smith continued. "But fto maine beryllium precise clear: if it means different championship, I would bash it again."

Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride and erstwhile Knicks prima Carmelo Anthony besides appeared connected the podcast episode.

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