NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
ESPN star Stephen A. Smith has long been one of the biggest critics of the New York Knicks, but the New York City native did it differently this week.
Days after the Knicks won their first NBA title in more than five decades, the longtime “First Take” host joined Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart for a live taping of their “Roommates Show” podcast. The event was broadcast live inside the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden on Friday, one day after the Knicks' much-anticipated championship game.
Smith was seen facing a storm shortly after being welcomed to the stage. The uproar grew when Hart said he had kept mental receipts criticizing the Knicks for Smith in the past.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson celebrates with teammates after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 13, 2026. (Photos by Geoff Burke/Imagn)
One of Hart's notes focused on Smith's claim that Villanova's 2016 national championship roster lacked NBA-caliber prospects. Hart, Brunson and Mikal Bridges later became NBA draft picks and helped propel the Knicks to the title. Brunson signed with New York through 2022, a move Smith quickly dismissed as a point guard “not the answer” for the Knicks.
JALEN BRUNSON'S SISTER SLAMS ESPN AFTER STEPHEN A SMITH KNICKS: 'HE'S SO DIFFERENT'
After reviewing Smith's past comments, Hart pointed to the championship trophy next to him and pressed the 58-year-old to acknowledge his words. “We are sitting here with this golden cup over there on your right. Can you sit here and admit that you were wrong?”
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart looks on after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 23, 2026. (Photos by David Richard/Imagn)
Smith did not back down. Instead, he apologized to Brunson, Hart and the Knicks organization.
“I was wrong. I'm sorry to this brother on national television; I'm sorry to you; I'm sorry to the entire Knicks organization. Let me be very clear – I've never been happier to be wrong in my life. Let me be very clear – I was born a Knicks fan. I'm 58 years old before I win a title in New York last Saturday.
Stephen A. Smith is suspended during a live broadcast of ESPN's “First Take” at Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, on Nov. 8, 2024. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
However, Smith suggested his apology came with a caveat: If years of criticism helped end the Knicks' championship drought, he would happily do it again.
“So, I apologize for making a mistake,” Smith continued. “But let me be clear: if it meant another tournament, I would do it again.”
Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride and former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony also appeared on the podcast episode.
Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle.
