Stephen A. Smith apologizes to Knicks after title win

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith joined Knicks players Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart for a live taping of their podcast at Madison Square Garden on Friday, one day after the team’s championship parade.

Smith received boos when he took the stage. Hart said he had kept track of Smith’s past criticism of the Knicks and brought up a 2016 comment in which Smith said Villanova’s national championship roster had no NBA prospects. Brunson, Hart and Mikal Bridges later became NBA draft picks and helped the Knicks win their first title in more than 50 years.

Smith had also said Brunson was not the answer for the Knicks after the guard signed with New York in 2022. Hart pointed to the championship trophy and asked Smith if he would admit he was wrong.

Smith did not argue. He apologized to Brunson, Hart and the Knicks organization.

“I was beyond wrong,” Smith said. “I’m apologizing to this brother on national television; I’m apologizing to you; I’m apologizing to the entire Knicks organization. Let me be very, very clear — I have never been more happy to be wrong in my life. I came out of the womb a Knicks fan. I’m 58 years old. The last time the New York Knicks won a title before last Saturday, I was 4.”

Smith added that he would repeat the criticism if it led to another championship.

“So, I apologize for being wrong,” he said. “But let me be very clear: if it means another championship, I would do it again.”

Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride and former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony also appeared on the episode.