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Stephen A. Smith’s rare positivity could jinx Knicks in pivotal season

By Jordanna Clark

Jun 9, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith speaks before game four of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Sports television personality Stephen A. Smith speaks before game four of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Stephen A. Smith is saying positive things about the New York Knicks? Even after they lost their first game of the season? Knowing him, it’s surprising that he wasn’t screaming about the sky falling on ESPN’s First Take on Thursday.

The sports personality was at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, a place he avoided for years, even as a fan. Stephen A. has gone on numerous rants about James Dolan, but he was in the same building as the owner for NBA Countdown.

While it makes sense that SAS is optimistic about the Knicks, given the position that the team is in, it’s unusual to hear him speak highly of his favorite team. It’s unusual to listen to media outlets talk highly of them. However, that’s exactly what happened on First Take.

Realistically, New York could secure the No. 3 seed behind Milwaukee and Boston in the East. The James Harden saga will plague Philadelphia until a trade happens, and Daryl Morey doesn’t want to let the disgruntled guard go for cheap.

Cleveland, not Philadelphia, could be New York’s biggest threat for a top-three spot. Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers won 51 games in 2022-23 and have a more robust roster this season.

Stephen A. Smith predicts Knicks will finish as No. 3 seed in East

New York’s first game was ugly, especially the team’s struggle from the free throw line. It’s way too early to panic, and Mike Wilbon thinks so, too.

Even though it was last season that New York proved many naysayers wrong, it’s odd to hear the team talked about positively, especially by Stephen A., of all people. It almost feels like he could be jinxing New York by not raging about how they’re an incompetent team.

Stephen A. Smith, any chance you can go back to trashing the Knicks? Thanks!

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