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Stephen A. Smith’s Knicks “fandom” continues to warrant endless eye rolls

ByJordanna Clark|
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 25: Commentator Stephen A. Smith looks on prior to Game Five between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat in the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 25, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 25: Commentator Stephen A. Smith looks on prior to Game Five between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat in the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 25, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

After a thrilling first-round series that ended with a New York Knicks 4-1 win, the season could conclude on Wednesday with the team facing a 3-1 deficit. It was less than two weeks ago when the vibes were high after the Knicks sent Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers home, but a lot has changed since then.

For starters, New York has had no answer for Playoff Jimmy. That’s perhaps part of the reason why he has that nickname in the first place. The Knicks’ effort in the Eastern Conference Semifinals has been hard to watch, causing many fans to go ahead and accept that the season will end with a Game 5 loss.

If the Knicks are eliminated by the Heat, the season shouldn’t be viewed as a failure. However, that doesn’t mean that fans shouldn’t be allowed to be disappointed about the lack of effort that New York has put forth in the second round. The future will still be bright, but the front office will need to make some tough decisions in the offseason.

While there are irrational people within every fanbase, the trophy for the Knicks’ most irrational fan goes to Stephen A. Smith. His commentary has caused many fans to not view him as a true fan, but that hasn’t stopped him from yelling about the team on ESPN.

Stephen A. Smith goes on several Knicks rants after Game 4 second-round playoff loss

There is something that Stephen A. Smith said that some Knicks fans probably agree with, and is that he’s on the verge of wanting Julius Randle to be traded. That’s a discussion that’s going to heat up during the offseason amongst the fanbase, and rightfully so. He had a great regular season that resulted in his second All-Star honor, but the playoffs are where the issue lies.

Not only does Stephen A. want to see Randle traded, but he went as far as to say that he’d rather have Karl-Anthony Towns.

Towns grew up a Knicks fan and has CAA ties to the organization, but he hasn’t been past the first round with the Timberwolves. He’s been part of a combined four playoff wins since he was drafted in 2015.

New York deserves to be blasted for its “effort” in Game 4, but Stephen A. has made it seem like the Knicks were everyone’s title favorites when in reality, many labeled them as nothing more than a play-in team.

He was screaming “orange and blue skies” when New York was playing well in the first round, but now, he’s back to condemning the Knicks. He and notorious Knicks fan Tracy Morgan got into it on ESPN earlier in the season over Smith’s refusal to go to the Garden. Stephen A. said after the Game 4 loss that he was planning to go to MSG for the first time this season for Game 5, but he’s changed his mind. What a bummer.

Stephen A. isn’t a bad guy by any means, but the fact that the majority of the Knicks fanbase doesn’t want anything to do with him makes sense.

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