Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart turned a live podcast taping into a public apology session for Stephen A. Smith after the ESPN personality was loudly booed by New York Knicks fans.
The moment happened Friday during a live edition of The Roommates Show at the Infosys Theater inside Madison Square Garden. Brunson, Hart and co-host Matt Hillman brought Smith onstage as a surprise guest, but the crowd immediately let him hear it.
Variety reported that the sold-out show was simulcast on ESPN and benefited the Garden of Dreams Foundation.
The Knicks were still celebrating their first NBA championship in 53 years, and Smith was walking into a room full of fans who remembered his old doubts.
The Crowd Booed Smith as He Took the Stage
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Smith was greeted by loud boos and heckling during his surprise appearance, according to Variety. Hart tried to joke through the noise as Smith walked out, asking whether the crowd was really saying “Deuce,” a reference to Knicks guard Miles “Deuce” McBride.
Smith also tried to play along, telling the crowd that boos were basically cheers.
The crowd did not let up quickly. TMZ reported that Brunson and Hart used the moment to confront Smith about past comments that had aged badly after the Knicks’ title run.
Brunson and Hart Brought Up Smith’s Old Takes
The main issue was Smith’s past skepticism about Brunson, Hart and their Villanova teammates. Variety reported that Smith once said Villanova did not have a real NBA prospect on the roster after the Wildcats won the 2016 NCAA men’s national championship. The team included future NBA players Brunson, Hart, Mikal Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo.
TMZ also noted that Smith later criticized the Knicks’ 2022 move for Brunson, questioning whether Brunson was really the answer for New York.
Smith Finally Apologized to the Knicks
Onstage, Hart pointed toward the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy and asked Smith whether he could admit he was wrong. Smith first joked that he could not hear the question. Then he gave the answer the room wanted.
“I was beyond wrong,” Smith said, according to Variety. He apologized to Brunson, Hart and the entire Knicks organization, adding that he had never been happier to be wrong. Smith still added one more Stephen A. twist. He said he would be wrong again if it meant another Knicks championship.
The Moment Fit the Knicks’ Celebration Week
The exchange came one day after New York’s ticker-tape parade, where fans celebrated the Knicks’ first title since 1973.
Variety reported that Brunson and Hart brought the Larry O’Brien Trophy onstage to loud applause and MVP chants for Brunson. The show also featured appearances from Karl-Anthony Towns, Miles McBride, Carmelo Anthony and the hosts’ wives, Ali Brunson, Shannon Hart and Samara Hillman.