Latest news with #FirstTake
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Steven A Smith says only divine intervention can make New York Knicks win NBA championship: 'I give them zero chance'
Image credit: Getty Images The New York Knicks made a comeback in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder after the latter had dominated them 3-1 in the series. However, this doesn't seem to be enough to impress sports analyst Stephen A. Smith, who has clearly declared that there is absolutely 'zero chance' of winning the NBA Finals, and he didn't seem to be kidding while making such a claim. He went on to compare the Knicks with the Thunder and said only God could make them win the trophy. Steven A Smith talks about New York Knicks Comparing New York Knicks players to those from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN's First Take, 'I give them zero chance. Zero. Of beating the Oklahoma City Thunder if they were to advance to the Finals. Days ago, I'm like, 'Hey, we got a chance.' And then I watched OKC, having to cover the Western Conference Finals and I see those bodies that they throw. Then I see the New York Knicks' style of play and the lack of personnel, and you just see it in the way Oklahoma City defends. And that has taken some of the luster off my championship aspirations for the New York Knicks.' Implying only God could lead the Knicks to the Finals, he added, 'Getting there, I'm all for it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Harness the power of AMD processors for Google Cloud workloads - Google Cloud: Future of Infrastructure CIO | Google Cloud, AMD Undo But I would have to cover an NBA Finals where I'm a New York Knick fan and I literally believe from the bottom of my heart that nothing short of divine intervention would propel them.' As the video of Smith's comments was shared online, NBA fans weighed in on his remarks. An X user said, 'I give them a chance. Towns and Mitchell Robinson can be a problem in the paint. OKC is young Knicks are older. That alone gives them a chance.' Also Read: 'I don't want to hear sh*t about Ryan Clark being fired': NBA Analyst Stephen A. Smith backs NFL Analyst Ryan Clark over feud with ex-NFL Analyst Robert Griffin III The New York Knicks have not won the NBA championship in the last fifty years. They won twice, in 1970 and 1973. The Oklahoma City Thunder isn't far behind in that category, having last won the NBA championship in 1979. However, looking at their form this year, many believe they have it in them to win.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Stephen A. Smith has no faith in Knicks winning NBA Finals: ‘Zero chance'
Even if they complete a miracle comeback against the Pacers, an NBA championship is not in the Knicks' future, at least according to Stephen A. Smith. During Friday's episode of ESPN's 'First Take,' Smith was brutally honest about his team, saying the Knicks have practically no shot against the Western Conference champion Thunder in the Finals. 'I give them zero chance, zero, of beating the Oklahoma City Thunder if they were to advance to the Finals,' Smith said. 'Days ago, I'm like, 'Hey, we got a chance.' And then I watched OKC, having to cover the Western Conference Finals and I see those bodies that they throw. Advertisement 3 Stephen A. Smith reports from the sideline during Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals. NBAE via Getty Images 'Then I see the New York Knicks' style of play and the lack of personnel, and you just see it in the way Oklahoma City defends. And that has taken some of the luster off my championship aspirations for the New York Knicks.' Despite the gloomy attitude about the Knicks' chances against Oklahoma City, the longtime sports commentator said he can see them at least reaching the NBA Finals. Advertisement 'Getting there, I'm all for it. But I would have to cover an NBA Finals where I'm a New York Knick fan and I literally believe from the bottom of my heart that nothing short of divine intervention would propel them.' Smith has remained tough on the Knicks throughout the Eastern Conference finals, particularly calling out the decisions of head coach Tom Thibodeau following their Game 2 loss. 3 Tom Thibodeau talks with guard Josh Hart during the second quarter of the Knicks' Game 5 win over the Pacers. AP 'I don't understand for the life of me how in the hell he has KAT playing just 28 minutes,' Smith said in a video posted on X. '[Thibodeau] is going to try to tell us it was defense. But with Mitchell Robinson on the court, the deficit increased.' Advertisement Following their 111-94 Game 5 win on Thursday, the Knicks have to win the last two games to complete the 3-1 comeback, a feat that has occurred just 13 times in NBA history. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, however, is not worried about a potential Knicks comeback, remaining confident that his team will bounce back following Thursday's loss. 'We're a resilient group. We always want to respond when things don't go well,' the star Pacers point guard told reporters after Game 5. Advertisement 3 Karl-Anthony Towns celebrates during the second quarter of the Knicks' Game 5 victory over the Pacers. AP 'We understand what the stakes are and we understand the conversation — what it'll be around our group. But we're fine. We're fine. There's no need to panic or anything.' Game 6 is set for Saturday at 8 p.m. in Indiana.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Stephen A Smith Makes Eye-Opening Prediction for Pacers-Knicks Game 6
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks are heading to a Game 6. After the Knicks were able to blow out the Pacers at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night by a final score of 111-94, they survived to play at least one more game. As the series shifts back to Indianapolis, the questions about whether or not New York can become the 14th team to come back from a 3-1 series deficit have started to rise. Stephen A. Smith, one of the most diehard Knicks fans in the world, has now spoken out with what he thinks will happen in Game 6. Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks battles for position against Myles Turner #33 and Aaron Nesmith #23 of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals... Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks battles for position against Myles Turner #33 and Aaron Nesmith #23 of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 23, 2025 in New York City. More PhotoDuring a segment on "First Take," Smith gave New York a 30 percent chance to pull off a Game 6 win in Indianapolis. He thinks the Pacers are going to take the series and deny the Knicks a chance for a Game 7 at home. Read more: Tyrese Haliburton Sends Bold Warning Before Pacers-Knicks Game 6 .@stephenasmith is giving the Knicks a 30% chance to win Game 6 against the Pacers 😅 — First Take (@FirstTake) May 30, 2025 Indiana put together one of its worst games of the season in Game 5. Tyrese Haliburton and company could not get anything going. Part of that was due to New York's defense, but the Pacers missed a lot of shots they normally make and did not look nearly as aggressive as they have throughout the playoffs. Those struggles for Indiana were made even more clear by Haliburton's stat line. He scored just eight points on 2-for-7 shooting to go along with six assists. Bennedict Mathurin was the only player who truly showed up for the Pacers, scoring 23 points and grabbing nine rebounds off the bench. Pascal Siakam scored 15 points, and Obi Toppin rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 off the bench. As for the Knicks, Jalen Brunson came through with a massive performance when his team needed him the most. He scored 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting to go along with five assists and five rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns had a double-double performance with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Read more: Shocking Contender Named as Landing Spot for Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Game 6 is going to be must-watch basketball. Indiana has a chance to punch its NBA Finals ticket, while New York is simply fighting to save its season. It will be interesting to see what the outcome ends up being. Smith simply does not see his Knicks having another win in them, but he's not counting them out entirely. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday evening and will be broadcast on TNT. For more Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Black America Web
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Kendrick Perkins Apologizes For Saying Anthony Edwards Can't Be The Face Of NBA Because He's Not A 'Family Man'
With the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry making early postseason exits, it's never been more apparent that a new face of the NBA needs to be crowned. Of the young players in the league currently atop the list is Anthony Edwards, who just got sent packing in the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a row. However, during a recent debate on ESPN's First Take , Kendrick Perkins stated that while Edwards possesses the core talent, marketability, and personality to hold that title, he may need to address his personal life first. 'You gotta be a role model, and things outside the lines matter. Now, if you go down the list of all the faces of the league in the history of the game, you look at Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, LeBron, Steph. What did they all have in common? While they was playing in the league they all were family men,' Perkins said Tuesday. 'They all were married. With kids. And if you think that don't play a role as far as the role model. This is facts.' Edward does have a child with his girlfriend, but he's also been caught up in several paternity suits, including alleged texts telling an Instagram model in 2023 to get an abortion and send him video proof of her ingesting the pill. Then, earlier this year, it happened again after he was involved with Ayesha Howard—who also has a child with Lil Baby—when a paternity test revealed he's the father of her daughter, Aubri Summer Howard. He then forfeited any parental or visitation rights and was more focused on determining a child support agreement. Despite the drama in his personal life, Perkins realized he had been wrong in bringing it up in a basketball discussion and apologized. 'Anthony Edwards is one my favorite players in the League if not my favorite player. I apologized privately so I'm apologizing publicly to the young 👑 for my comments on First Take yesterday,' he tweeted. 'My bad young fella. I Was not taking a personal shot at you but I could see how it could have been taken that way.' See social media's reaction to Perkins' blunder below. Kendrick Perkins Apologizes For Saying Anthony Edwards Can't Be The Face Of NBA Because He's Not A 'Family Man' was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton's historic stat line brings new Chris Paul appreciation
The post Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton's historic stat line brings new Chris Paul appreciation appeared first on ClutchPoints. Tyrese Haliburton delivered a historic performance on Tuesday night, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 130-121 Game 4 win over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals and pushing his team to a commanding 3-1 series lead. The All-Star guard finished with 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, and four steals while shooting 11-of-23 from the field. He recorded a game-high plus-minus of +16 and did not commit a single turnover. Advertisement Haliburton's stat line marked a first in NBA playoff history. Since turnovers began being officially tracked in the 1977-78 season, no player had ever recorded at least 30 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds with zero turnovers in a postseason game. He joins Oscar Robertson and Nikola Jokic as the only players to ever reach those point, rebound, and assist totals in a playoff game — but neither did so without a turnover. Tyrese Haliburton's mistake-free mastery in Game 4 deepens Chris Paul comparisons as Pacers near NBA Finals Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images The performance once again fueled comparisons to veteran point guard Chris Paul. Known for his elite decision-making and ball security, Paul has long been considered the gold standard for floor generals in the modern era. Advertisement ClutchPoints reporter Tomer Azarly noted on X, formerly known as Twitter, 'Tyrese Haliburton just recorded his 23rd career game of 10 assists and 0 turnovers, his 1st in the postseason. Chris Paul has 60(!!!) regular season games and 7 playoff games of 10 assists and 0 turnovers.' The conversation surrounding Haliburton's similarities to Paul intensified earlier in the week when former NBA forward Marcus Morris appeared on ESPN's First Take and drew a direct comparison. 'I think we're just so used to saying a superstar is athletic in a bigger market,' Morris said. 'What Haliburton is doing is similar to what Chris Paul's doing. We said Chris Paul was a superstar, right? Chris Paul was the ultimate general… he made guys better, he's won games.' The Pacers have now won three straight games and can close out the series on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. Game 5 tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET and will air on TNT. If Indiana advances, it would mark the franchise's first NBA Finals appearance since 2000. Haliburton's efficient, high-impact performance has defined Indiana's postseason run. With each passing game, the comparisons to Paul gain more weight — not only in play style but in the rare ability to control the pace, elevate teammates, and perform on the biggest stage without mistakes.
