Stephen A. Smith Praises Knicks Comeback, Slams Spurs Mistakes, and Sends Love to Israel

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith gave Sports Channel an interview after the New York Knicks’ stunning 29-point comeback, saying he had never seen anything like it, especially not in New York. The Knicks are one win away from the championship and could make history by beating San Antonio in Game 5, after a turnaround led by Mike Brown’s team.

Smith said he had seen other major comebacks in sports, but not one involving the Knicks from that kind of deficit. He noted that New York benefited from San Antonio’s mistakes, while Jalen Brunson took over the game and OG Anunoby provided the defensive lift. He also pointed to missed free throws by “Wemby,” and said the coach kept his promise not to bench Dylan Harper in the fourth quarter, even though Harper barely touched the ball in the final 10 minutes despite being the team’s best offensive option.

Smith then criticized the Spurs’ decision-making, saying De'Aaron Fox could not even bring the ball up with younger players around him, and asking why the tallest player was defending beyond the three-point line when the team needed rebounds. He referenced the 2013 NBA Finals and said the Spurs ignored the lesson of keeping a big man near the basket. He also condemned late three-point attempts with more than 10 seconds left, calling it “stupid basketball.”

Looking back at the game, Smith said he could not believe San Antonio let it happen, but stressed that nobody expected the Knicks to recover from 29 down. He said he was in the crowd, called the Knicks his lifelong team, and added, “For the first time in 32 years, we are 48 minutes from an NBA championship. I can’t believe it.” He ended with a message to Israeli fans, saying he loves Israel, has found everyone he has met from there wonderful, has told people he will visit someday, and that “the United States loves you.”