As Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and the New York Knicks celebrate their first NBA championship since 1973, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith had no choice but to accept defeat.

Smith had long been of the opinion that Brunson would not answer the Knicks' plea for a championship. He infamously bashed the Knicks for signing the 6'2" guard in 2022, exclaiming that he is no Kawhi Leonard, who led the Toronto Raptors to their first championship in 2019.

Now, with the trophy in Brunson's hands, Smith joined him and Josh Hart, alongside co-host Matt Hillman, for a recording of the popular podcast “The Roommates Show” at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden. There, Hart confronted Smith with a simple question.

“We are now sitting here with this golden trophy there to your right,” Hart said to Smith. “Can you sit here and admit you were wrong?”

After pretending he couldn’t hear the question, Smith replied, “I’m a grown-a** man. I was beyond wrong."

"I’m apologizing to this brother on national television, I’m apologizing to you, I’m apologizing to the entire Knicks organization. Let me be very, very clear, I have never been more happy to be wrong in my life.”

Smith actually apologized with a subtle pride, as he has been a lifelong Knicks fan himself. He famously said that he was four when the Knicks last won a championship.

So maybe we can let this one slide for Smith, who seems to be in some sort of controversy for his takes every other week.

Still, Smith has never been high on Brunson until now, and has highly underestimated his abilities. So naturally, a face-to-face apology was granted after Brunson's historic campaign this season.

Stephen A. Smith Gives a Face-to-Face Apology to Jalen Brunson

A face-to-face apology was long overdue from Smith, who once again, infamously said that “Villanova doesn’t have a real NBA prospect on this squad” after the team won the 2016 NCAA Men’s National Championship.

That team had future NBA difference-makers in Brunson, Hart, Mikal Bridges, and Donte DiVincenzo, to name a few.

Ten years and a plethora of more underestimating later, Brunson finally joined Smith on ESPN's First Take after winning the championship, where the analyst gave Brunson a heartfelt apology and reassured him that he would never doubt him again.

“In his own way, he reminds me of this every time. It’s automatic… national television, I owe this man an apology. I am grateful for what you have done for this city, what y’all have done for this city, and you won’t be hearing any more doubts from me, my brother,” Smith said.

"We'll see about that!" Brunson replied sarcastically with a smile.

Brunson was almost untouchable in the playoffs, averaging 28.4 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 19 games.

He closed this iconic run out with a 45-point performance in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, leading the Knicks to a 4-1 series win.

It was the same scoreline the Knicks lost to against the Spurs in 1999, where his father, Rick Brunson, also participated.

Safe to say, Brunson has cemented his title as the King of New York, and it will be interesting to see how the Knicks defend their title next season.

So, where do you rank Jalen Brunson's Finals MVP performance among the recent winners? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Joy Bassy