The New York Knicks are just two wins away from ending a 53-year championship drought, and the hype train has officially left the station. Naturally, everyone is wondering who gets a piece of the jewelry if New York pulls this off, including ESPN's loud and proud Knicks superfan, Stephen A. Smith.
On a recent episode of First Take, Smith completely shut down the idea of receiving championship hardware.
“I don’t want one. I didn’t earn it,” Smith said bluntly. “Only Spike Lee deserves that. I don’t deserve that… But I will tell you this much, I don’t need one.”
Stephen A. Smith says he doesn’t want a ring if the Knicks win the NBA title this year 💍
“I don’t want one. I didn’t earn it. Only Spike Lee deserves that. I don’t deserve that… But I will tell you this much, I don’t need one.”
(via @FirstTake) pic.twitter.com/jsEC1OZnGg
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 8, 2026
While Smith is content watching from the sidelines, he is absolutely terrified that a massive outside distraction is about to completely ruin the team's championship vibe. With Donald Trump confirmed to attend Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, the First Take host completely lost his mind on Monday morning over the sheer chaos heading to New York City.
Article Continues Below
“This president has no business showing up in New York City,” Smith ranted during a fiery segment. “I am dead serious. It is selfish, it is narcissistic, it is ridiculous that he is coming to this game.”
Between intense security protocols shutting down local streets, massive pedestrian gridlock, and the unprecedented cancellation of pregame media locker room access, the circus has officially arrived in Midtown Manhattan. Smith emphasized that the intense political spectacle will distract the home crowd and create an environment he has never witnessed in his 30-year sports journalism career.
“If it causes the New York Knicks to lose tonight, I’m blaming him,” Smith insisted. “I’m blaming the president of the United States! I’m gonna stay on that.”
Smith might not want a championship ring himself, but he certainly doesn't want external politics derailing New York's golden opportunity either.
The New York Knicks are just two wins away from ending a 53-year championship drought, and the hype train has officially left the station. Naturally, everyone is wondering who gets a piece of the jewelry if New York pulls this off, including ESPN's loud and proud Knicks superfan, Stephen A. Smith.