{"id":732089,"date":"2026-05-12T04:24:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T04:24:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/732089\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T04:24:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T04:24:26","slug":"stephen-a-smith-declares-that-the-knicks-will-win-the-nba-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/732089\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen A Smith declares that the Knicks will win the NBA Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stephen A Smith declares that the Knicks will win the NBA Championship<\/a> appeared first on ClutchPoints<\/a>. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After watching the New York Knicks<\/a> sweep the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> in four games, ESPN\u2019s Stephen A. Smith, a noted supporter of the orange and blue, was feeling himself.<\/p>\n

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Riding high on the momentum of another 30-point win<\/a>, plus the usual fun and games Knicks fans have become famous for after the final buzzer, Smith brought his celebratory vibes to First Take, boldly declaring that his Knickerbockers aren\u2019t just winning the Eastern Conference but the whole darn thing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSixers, my condolences. We\u2019ll talk about them. Later, New York Knicks going to the finals,\u201d Smith declared. \u201cI think they can win the championship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Very interested by Smith\u2019s reaction, fellow correspondent Jay Williams wanted to get a firm confirmation that this is an actual prediction, instead of just a spur-of-the-moment decision. Smith, in his typically flashy fashion, doubled down on his declaration over and over again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m taking the Knicks to win the title. I\u2019m taking the Knicks to win the title. I\u2019m taking the Knicks to win the title,\u201d Smith declared. \u201cWe winning the chip! We winning the chip! We winning the chip!\u201d<\/p>\n

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Sitting pretty with a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals already locked up, the Knicks have been on an absolute roll this postseason, outscoring opponents by an even larger average than the reigning NBA Champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a>. If the Knickerbockers are able to replicate their success in the ECF against either the Toronto Raptors<\/a> or the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a>, then they will be four wins away from bringing the first NBA Championship back to the Big Apple for the first time this century.<\/p>\n

Related: Carmelo Anthony only pulling up to MSG if Knicks advance to NBA Finals<\/a><\/p>\n

Related: Knicks rumors: The Kentucky star to keep an eye on in 2026 NBA Draft<\/a><\/p>\n