It’s no secret that ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith is a big New York Knicks fan. And with Damian Lillard’s status in flux due mostly to his desire to get traded to the Miami Heat, Smith made the case on First Take Tuesday for why Lillard’s best destination is actually New York, not Miami.
Smith was seen hugging a logo of the Knicks on the First Take set before launching into a monologue on why the Knicks are a the best fit for the Trail Blazer’s star’s services.
“This is the Mecca, this ain’t Portland. This is New York City, baby,” Smith said. “And if you are Damian Lillard, this is why you should call your agent Aaron Goodwin… and tell him to add the great New York Knicks to your list of your coveted destinations.”
He then listed five reasons why the Knicks are the right landing spot.
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.@stephenasmith gives us ALL the reasons Dame should play for the Knicks 👀
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 25, 2023
1. Knicks assets > Heat assets
2. NYC attracts talent
3. Randle will adjust
4. Dame/Brunson can coexist
5. MSG is the Mecca pic.twitter.com/QafTvr3401
Smith’s proposed package for the Knicks to send to Portland included R.J. Barrett, Evan Fournier, Quentin Grimes and potentially Immanuel Quickley, as well as “three to four” picks. He believes that package far outweighs what the Heat could offer, with many proposed deals centering around talented young guard Tyler Herro.
“The Portland Trail Blazers can’t possibly argue that that’s not enough assets,” Smith said. “They can’t do it.”
By the end of the segment, First Take co-host Ryan Clark had his head in his hands in frustration, and some fans also chimed in about Smith’s clear New York bias.
Have some shame https://t.co/sSXFfaFFY8
— Silas P. Silas (@KennySpenceNBA) July 25, 2023
This men is an trully unprecedented entertainer. https://t.co/ktvKuJdDhb
— Diogo Da Costa (@DiogoDaCostaNBA) July 25, 2023
Knicks fans just be delusional https://t.co/g1iSarirM6
— Maurice. (@dturngotsole) July 25, 2023
Lillard in New York City would certainly be quite the story, but as of now there’s no indication Smith’s impassioned rant will have any impact on Dame’s thinking.
