Knicks forward Josh Hart tells ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to “shut the hell up”
josh-hart-blasts-stephen-a-smith-over-knicks-criticism
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart delivered a blunt rebuke of ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith on Thursday morning, calling the television personality a “part-time Knicks fan” and telling him to “shut the hell up.”
Hart’s comments, reported by Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, came after Smith used ESPN’s “First Take” earlier in the week to demand that the veteran swingman “sit down and be quiet unless he’s playing.”
The exchange was sparked by Hart’s public defense of teammate Mikal Bridges, who has faced mounting criticism during a scoring slump that has seen him average fewer than 10 points over his last 10 games. Smith lambasted New York’s decision to surrender seven first-round picks to acquire Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in 2024, arguing the return has not justified the cost.
Hart countered that Bridges is receiving disproportionate backlash, insisting the wing is “simply doing what the team asks” and acknowledging that Bridges’ role has diminished from last season. “I’m definitely not going to listen to a part-time Knicks fan,” Hart said. “When Stephen A. rolls up to MSG with ‘New York’ on his chest and ties up his sneaks and plays for us, then I’ll listen.”
Smith, a Queens native who often proclaims lifelong allegiance to the franchise, has occasionally stumbled over details, including misidentifying Knicks guard Miles McBride as “Michael” and praising players no longer on the roster. Hart also noted that he and Smith briefly worked together at ESPN during the 2024 NBA Finals.
The Knicks, who reached the Eastern Conference finals last season before dismissing head coach Tom Thibodeau, doubled down on their championship pursuit with the Bridges trade. The organization now faces heightened expectations of a Finals appearance.
Source: Hoops Wire
