“They’re going to the Finals. They’re going to the Finals. How many years do they have to wait for three possible obstacles—Tatum, Haliburton, and Lillard—to be out with injuries?” he said with his trademark conviction.
Mikal Bridges: The key piece in the Knicks new project
In his analysis, Stephen A. Smith emphasized that Mikal Bridges is the player who can make the difference if Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson maintain their star-level performances.
However, he also lamented that the team sacrificed its draft capital in the trade with the Brooklyn Nets, which, according to him, prevented Giannis Antetokounmpo from joining New York.
“You gave up five picks for that. If the Knicks still had them, Giannis would probably already be here,” Stephen A. Smith exclaimed, mixing frustration with resignation.
Bridges, who recently signed a four-year, $150 million extension, has become a crucial piece in coach Tom Thibodeau’s system. His current $90.9 million contract is nearing its end, but the Knicks see his renewal as a vital move to sustain their competitive core.
A bright future, but no ring, says Stephen A. Smith
Despite his optimism, Stephen A. Smith was blunt in ruling out the Knicks as 2025 NBA champions. While he firmly believes New York can emerge from the East, he insisted that the Oklahoma City Thunder remain an unbeatable obstacle.
“You’re not beating Oklahoma City. They know how to defend, and when it’s time to make adjustments, they do,” said Stephen A. Smith, noting that the Thunder’s 68–14 record represents a model of consistency and discipline few teams can match.
