ESPN commentator Stephen A Smith has fired off an all-time rant at his beloved New York Knicks, calling them trash and urging fans to stop supporting the team for the rest of the season.
It comes after the Knicks lost to a weakened Brooklyn Nets team, throwing away a massive lead in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden.
The broadcaster is known for his fiery monologues against players, coaches, teams, and anything else in between – but few subjects have infuriated him as much over the years as the team he supports.
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“The New York Knicks are a national disgrace, ladies and gentlemen – they’re horrible” he began, before taking shots at coach Tom Thibodeau, star player Julius Randle and executive Leon Rose.
Even without Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, as well as Patty Mills having an off night shooting just 2-from-13, the Knicks couldn’t close out the game.
Despite having a healthy margin eaten into after halftime, the Knicks still had a 13-point lead going into the fourth quarter, before eventually losing 111-106.
“No KD, no Kyrie, no Ben Simmons – and you lose a 28-point lead?” Smith yelled.
“The New York Knicks are trash. Spike Lee shouldn’t even show up for the rest of the season – Tracy Morgan? Don’t go! Nobody go! You’re horrible! I’m so done with this team – you just stink.”
Despite coming into the season with high hopes on the back of their first play-off appearance since 2012-13, which saw Randle awarded Most Improved Player and Thibodeau Coach of the Year, the Knicks are now 25-34 and look set to miss the post-season once again.
Smith closed his rant calling for a full boycott of the team.
“I’m done, I wish Knicks fans boycott this team, I’m just sick of it. You lose to the Oklahoma City Thunder in double overtime, you’re giving up 20-point leads like it’s going out of style – and then tonight? With KD and Ben Simmons in street clothes.
“This team led by a rookie named Cam Thomas comes back on y’all and erases a 28-point deficit?
“I’m done. I don’t want to go to the Garden, I don’t even want to drive by the Garden. I’m sick of this team.”