Rusty Weiss
In case you missed it, the New York Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. They’ve rattled off a 12-game playoff winning streak, steamrolled opponents, and have the basketball world buzzing. They continued the red-hot streak by taking Game 1 in San Antonio last night against the Spurs.
But according to one man, none of this would be possible without… his yelling.
On Wednesday’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith stepped to the mic and delivered what might be the most Stephen A. Smith moment of his career.
“I deserve some credit, so I’m going to take it,” he confidently declared.
Stephen A.’s Nuclear Rant That ‘Saved’ the Knicks
He went on to explain that his nuclear meltdown after the Knicks’ Game 3 loss to the Atlanta Hawks — the one where he nearly “had a stroke on national television” while calling players “sorry a**es” and predicting firings and roster overhauls — was the spark that turned everything around.
The odds that anybody on the Knicks even heard about his comments are slim to none. But Stephen A. thinks he’s the most important cog in this payoff run.
Smith, who was very vocal about his beloved team’s shortcomings during the Hawks series, unleashed a fiery rant demanding accountability across the entire organization if the Knicks fail to advance.
“Heads need to roll,” he declared, targeting everyone from the president and GM to the coach, players, and even the dance team.
“Bunch of sorry a**es right now. I’m so sick of what I’m seeing right now. I’m losing my damn mind,” the irate ESPN personality ranted.
From ‘Sorry A**es’ to Championship Contenders — All Thanks to One Studio Yell?
Now, he’s singing a different tune. And taking credit for the winning streak.
“You know, when I called the Knicks out, I almost had a stroke on national television. They didn’t lose since,” he said. “They’ve been 11-0.”
You read that correctly. In Stephen A.’s world, the Knicks didn’t flip the switch because of adjustments by coach Tom Thibodeau, Jalen Brunson’s leadership, or Mikal Bridges finding his rhythm. No, they started winning because a guy in a studio screamed at them for five straight minutes.
Let’s be real: Stephen A. has been covering the Knicks forever. He’s a loud, passionate voice who clearly loves (or at least loves talking about) New York basketball. But claiming your televised rant deserves a championship ring is next-level main character syndrome.
The Knicks were already a talented, gritty team. They responded the way champions do — by locking in and playing better. They didn’t huddle up in the locker room crying because Stephen A. said mean things about them.
What a rube.
