ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has publicly apologized to Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and the entire New York Knicks organization. After the team secured its first NBA title in over 50 years, the analyst admitted he was wrong to doubt their championship potential.
Smith’s initial skepticism was rooted in a common league-wide question: could a team led by Jalen Brunson’s high-usage, isolation-heavy offense truly contend? The answer was a dominant playoff run. Brunson dismantled opposing defenses with relentless drives and clutch shot-making, while Josh Hart provided the essential rebounding, defense, and transition energy that repeatedly broke opponents. Their two-man game proved to be an unstoppable force that traditional superstar models couldn’t solve.
On a live recording of “The Roommates” podcast with Hart and Brunson, Smith made his apology direct. “I’m a grown a** man. I was beyond grown. I apologized to this brother on national television. I’m apologizing to you,” he said. He later added the apology was for the entire franchise and its long-suffering fans.
“I’m apologizing to the entire Knicks organization. Let me be very, very clear — I have never been more happy to be wrong in my life. Let me be very, very clear — I came out of the womb a Knicks fan. I’m 58-years-old. The last time the New York Knicks won a title before last Saturday, I was four.”
The admission solidifies the Knicks’ new reality. They are not just contenders; they are champions. For Smith, it’s a moment of public accountability. For Brunson, it’s the ultimate validation after facing questions his entire career. Smith also apologized directly to the Knicks’ star guard on ESPN’s First Take.
“In his own way, he reminds me of this every time. It’s automatic… national television, I owe this man an apology. I am grateful for what you have done for this city, what y’all have done for this city, and you won’t be hearing any more doubts from me, my brother,”
