Why Stephen A. Smith believes he deserves some credit for Knicks reaching NBA Finals

Veteran analyst and lifelong New York Knicks fan Stephen A Smith wants credit for his team reaching the NBA Finals. For the first time in 26 years, the Knicks return to the NBA Finals to face the San Antonio Spurs. Ahead of New York’s 1999 rematch against the Spurs, Smith previewed Game 1.

Smith, who called out the Knicks for their poor play during the regular season, says he deserves credit for their turnaround, per ESPN’s First Take.

“I deserve some credit, so I’m gonna take it,” Smith said. “When I called the Knicks out, I almost had a stroke. You understand, on national television. They didn’t lose since.”

"I deserve some credit, so I'm gonna take it… when I called the Knicks out, I almost had a stroke. You understand, on national television. They didn't lose since."

Stephen A. Smith believes he deserves some credit for New York's NBA Finals run pic.twitter.com/Jqzahuph6z

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 3, 2026

New York is entering the NBA Finals on a nine-game winning streak. Perhaps Stephen A Smith isn’t solely responsible for the Knicks’ current streak. However, he feels like he planted the seeds.

Paul Pierce puts the pressure on the Knicks ahead of NBA Finals

Hall of Fame forward Paul Pierce says the pressure’s on the Knicks to win the Finals more so than All-Star Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Despite the fact the Spurs dethroned the defending champion Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, Pierce believes the Knicks, who haven’t won a championship in over 50 years, have more weight on their shoulders.

Pierce explained why the pressure’s on the Knicks more than the Spurs in this year’s Finals, per the No Fouls Given podcast.

“Who is under the most pressure to perform in the finals? It is clearly the Knicks,” Pierce said. They haven’t won a championship in 50-plus years. They haven’t been to the finals in over 26 years. The mecca of basketball is New York. Do you see what the streets look like? When I tell you the weight of the world is on [the] New York Knicks backs.”

Paul Pierce says the Knicks have the most pressure to win the championship, and it’s not even close:

“And I know we want to say, “Hey Wemby was the child prodigy that we all seen coming from France saw him grow until he got to the league and all of this I get it.” He’s only in… pic.twitter.com/bBzbFB8IDp

— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) June 3, 2026

The last time fans in New York celebrated a title was in 1973.

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