Old clip of Stephen A. Smith dismissing Knicks’ Jalen Brunson resurfaces

The New York Knicks have seized the opportunity the downfall of their Eastern Conference peers have opened up, as they have made it all the way to the NBA Finals for the first since 1999. And unlike 27 years ago, the Knicks appear to have a legitimate shot at winning it all, as they have won 11 consecutive games and have looked very much dominant on their way to the NBA Finals — with even the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs having their work cut out for them.

Jalen Brunson has done nothing but turn the Knicks around ever since he came over in free agency back in 2023. There are many who’ve doubted his ability to lead the team deep into the playoffs, but since the 2023 NBA playoffs, the Knicks have made it to the second round twice, the Conference Finals twice, and they’ve now reached the NBA Finals.

Everyone who doubted Brunson’s viability as the first option in a championship caliber team is having to eat crow. And even Stephen A. Smith, who is unabashedly a diehard Knicks fan, said in the past that he doesn’t believe in Brunson — with fans bringing back receipts now that New York has broken its 27-year NBA Finals drought.

“I’m tired y’all… The Knicks are acting like he’s KD… Jalen Brunson isn’t the answer… You creating this cap space to get Jalen Brunson? Is he KD? Is he Kawhi Leonard?… All of this stuff you’re going to because you’re selling New York on Jalen Brunson?” Smith said after the 2022 NBA Draft.

Old footage of NY Knicks fan Stephen A Smith PISSED OFF while reacting to the Knicks pursuing Jalen Brunson in free agency after the 2022 NBA draft is resurfacing

“I’m tired y’all… The Knicks are acting like he’s KD… JALEN BRUNSON ISN’T THE ANSWER… You creating this cap… pic.twitter.com/5tlwcfBgIq

— Slime (@ItsKingSlime) May 27, 2026

In Smith’s defense, Brunson was far from a proven commodity at the time. He was breaking out as a big-time playoff performer for the Dallas Mavericks, but leading another team as the first option, especially a big market franchise like the Knicks, was another story entirely.

But Brunson has made a career of proving others wrong, and Smith has to be over the moon that the 29-year-old guard has made him eat his words, as this just means that the Knicks have become successful after being a laughingstock for so long.

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