Stephen A. Smith’s unabashed support for the New York Knicks has long been a hallmark of his personality, but it drew particular ire during ESPN’s pre-game coverage before Sunday’s Game 7 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Criticism of Smith’s enthusiastic fandom surfaced during an episode of “First Take,” where co-host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo took issue with Smith and famed Knicks fan Spike Lee hyping up the team before the game at Madison Square Garden.
Russo, exasperated by the footage of Smith and Lee, exclaimed, “Look at you two, a bunch of dopey Knicks fans at that ridiculous pregame. By the way Steve, that is not a local show Sunday at three o’clock. That is a national pregame show of the NBA.”
Smith, unfazed by Russo’s disapproval, retorted sharply, “So? Don’t sound like one of those pathetic critics,” as reported by Awful Announcing. “Listen, y’all don’t say anything when I’m hating on the Cowboys. Why the hell are you going to get on me for loving the New York Knicks, who I have been a diehard fan of all my life? Kick rocks. Go kick rocks.”
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The exchange highlights ongoing debates about objectivity in sports broadcasting. Pacers fans, and neutral viewers alike, found Smith’s pre-game show too partisan, akin to a Knicks pep rally.
This sentiment is reminiscent of complaints from Knicks fans about Pacers legend Reggie Miller calling a game for TNT—demonstrating the challenges of balancing fan identity with professional broadcasting duties.
The critique of ESPN’s impartiality wasn’t limited to Russo.
Pat McAfee, former Indianapolis Colts punter, commented that the on-air personalities seemed to be “praying” for an Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Knicks and Celtics—a dream dashed when the Pacers moved past the injured Knicks squad.
As the Pacers prepare to face Boston in their series, the conversation around media bias and the role of personality in sports commentary continues.
