If you are having a bad day, just go to YouTube and watch Stephen A. Smith throw a tantrum on the New York Knicks; it’ll put you in a good mood.
Whether it’s the team missing out on Zion Williamson, blowing a 28-point lead to the Brooklyn Nets courtesy of a rookie (at the time) named Cam Thomas, or heck, just because what can go wrong ends up going wrong, it’s a curable part of daily life.
But now we got a new form of entertainment. This involves Donovan Mitchell, who, by the way, dropped 71 points against the Chicago Bulls. Folks will recall when Smith was on television talking about how the New York Knicks would get Mitchell’s services from the Jazz, only for Mitchell to be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Stephen A. Smith went on an epic tirade after being reminded about losing Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers following Mitchell’s breakout performance.
Following Mitchell’s breakout game, the topic came on First Take, and moderator Molly Qerim tried to poke fun at Smith for Mitchell’s big night by trolling him about the Knicks. Bad idea, or rather, not bad at all.
"This is the kind of stuff I’m talking about when I’m talking about the damn Knicks. Everybody knows I’m a Knicks fan, right? I wanted Donovan Mitchell, but you didn’t get Donovan Mitchell. You got me. Jalen Brunson, who I appreciate, I think he’s an all-star this year. But you didn’t get Donovan Mitchell. I’m talking about a dude that you say, “Here’s the ball. Take me there”. And they are capable. This is the kind of stuff that ticks me off. I’ll be quick. I gotta say this. I was the one on the air, screaming on ESPN Radio in New York, draft Donovan Mitchell. That damn Phil Jackson drafted Frank Ntilikina. That’s why I think he should be banned from the state of New York. That damn Phil Jackson. You gave us Frank Ntilikina instead of Donovan Mitchell. And now Leon Rose, y’all accumulate all of these damn picks, and you got an opportunity to go out there and get him; you irritate Danny Ainge by going to the Dallas-Utah series acting like you were recruiting for Kentucky. Okay, instead of recognizing this is the NBA, and you inflame things with Danny, he doesn’t want to do business with y’all. He ends up giving a better deal to Cleveland. And Donovan Mitchell, who wanted to be in New York, who’s from New York, who expected to be when the New York Knicks uniform dropped in 71 points. 71 POINTS!! In an NBA Game. And the Knicks have given us what? I’ve just; I’m so sick of them. They make me sick. This is what I’m talking about. Yeah, You’re gonna win your games, you’re gonna be average, but then you’re gonna turn around, and you go home and the first round of the playoffs."
Tell us how you really feel. This right here is hilarious. At the same time, there are several things wrong with this, but not for the reasons you would think.
First and foremost, just because Phil Jackson drafted someone else other than Donovan Mitchell and didn’t listen to Stephen A, all of a sudden, he should be banned from New York? No wonder Michael Wilbon was on point in saying that if Stephen A wanted everyone who failed the Knicks to be banned from New York, the city’s population would be down to 100.
Furthermore, this is a form of karma. After all, when the Dallas Cowboys lose, who else but Stephen A to walk around and bloviate about the loss by trolling the fans in montages and laughing endlessly? If you can’t dish it and be able to take it, then don’t say anything.
Also, on the subject of New York, didn’t Smith’s Yankees do a lot of talking as well, only to get SWEPT by the Houston Astros after chanting “We Want Houston?” Sounds familiar; oh wait, that actually happened. It’s easy to talk when you have the upper hand, but sometimes, a gentle, or rather, a harsh reminder of reality, is necessary.
Stephen A. Smith ranting about the Knicks. It never gets old. Here’s hoping for more because each one seems to get better than the last.