Amid the celebration after a historic performance from Jalen Brunson, Knicks fans haven’t forgotten how Stephen A. Smith reacted to his signing.
Brunson set a franchise record when he scored 47 points in the Knicks’ Game 4 win over the Philadelphia 76ers to take a 3-1 series lead. Among those celebrating was Smith, who’s been a vocal Knicks fan for years.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 28, 2024
Other Knicks fans, however, weren’t thrilled about Smith’s support. Though he now sings Brunson’s praises, he was initially dismissive of the idea of the signing him.
“Trading their first-round pick away,” Smith said on a previous episode of his show, “and for what? To go all in on clearing cap space in hopes of signing Jalen Brunson? Look, I mean, Jalen Brunson is a nice player. Hope the brother comes, hope he gets paid; but the Knicks are acting like he’s [Kevin Durant].
“The Knicks just hired this man’s father as an assistant coach. This is what you do to recruit a player in college! This is what you do at Kentucky! But the Knicks are an NBA franchise — at least they’re supposed to be.”
This was less than 2yrs ago! Funny how people get amnesia. @nyknicks #knicks
🎥 @espn pic.twitter.com/B3iFISPRWK
— Team Rondae Hollis-Jefferson 🏀 (@TeamRHJAZ) April 28, 2024
In response to the clip, countless fans accused Smith of being nothing more than a front runner.
If you ever needed acknowledgement that Stephen is NOT on our side- 2 years ago when we got JB https://t.co/TKglj4PKNs
— Coach Fah of Knicklandia (coming soon) (@FahimInsurance) April 29, 2024
This why we don’t claim Stephen A as a Knicks fan https://t.co/ysklkt1f4S
— CurryGoat.eth (@ChefGQ_) April 29, 2024
lol dude has been a bandwagon fan forever. idc what he claims. https://t.co/gZwiwZWqdB
— KingSnow 🇵🇷 #LFGM (0-162) 🍎 (@KingSnow84) April 29, 2024
Naw we don’t forget we don’t claim this clown 😂😂 he’s only a fan when we are good https://t.co/9ydVmwDsnT
— Ricky Ricardo 🚾 (BW💔) (@WCFN_GRico) April 29, 2024
@stephenasmith , this is why you ARE a clown . Knicks card REVOKED! https://t.co/JzomOm6Ejo
— CeeRuiz 🇵🇷🇺🇸 (@RuizCee) April 29, 2024
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