Stephen A. Smith SLAMS the New York Knicks for a Game 6 loss and demands Damian Lillard trade
The Miami Heat beat the New York Knicks 92-96.
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Julius Randle (L- via Andy Lyons/Getty Images) and Stephen A. Smith (R- via Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks had a fighting campaign in the 2023 playoffs. They walked into the postseason with the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. However, they met a highly spirited and experienced Miami Heat in the Conference Semi-Finals. The Miami Heat have impressed everyone in the playoffs so far. They walked in as a Play-In team and managed to secure the eighth seed. However, in the first round, they met the number one seed, Milwaukee Bucks, and eliminated them in five games.
Elimination from title contention is a bitter feeling for any team and everyone attached to it. Moreover, the fans’ sentiments always tend to take over after a win or loss. Quite often, they also have an outburst of emotions after a game. Reputed NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith who is an ardent Knicks fan didn’t hide his feelings after New York’s elimination.
Stephen A. Smith took to Twitter and posted a video expressing his feelings. “Needed a few moments. Season’s over. Guess in the end I always knew the New York Knicks would lose. Team can’t shoot,” he started. “Jalen Brunson spectacular. But he was the only one who showed up. RJ Barrett shooting 1-10 from the field. Really?” he further went on.
“Julius Randle. 3-14. Once again playoffs arrive once again you fold. Done. It’s time to trade Julius Randle. It’s time for him to go. I want Damian Lillard. I don’t care what you have to do to get him, I want Damian Lillard,” he finished.
The Knicks managed to push the series from Game 6. However, a team effort from Miami enabled them to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo put up 24 and 23 points each. Jalen Brunson rose yet again for the Knicks with 41 points. However, his lone fight wasn’t enough to keep NY’s season alive as they lost Game 6 by a final score of 92-96.
Will the New York Knicks trade Julius Randle?
Julius Randle has been quite a decent guard for the New York Knicks. He has averaged 22.5 points per game during his tenure in NY. However, he averaged 16.6 points per game in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Jalen Brunson, on the other, has averaged 27.8 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.9 rebounds in 11 games in the 2023 playoffs. It could be fair to say that Randle’s performance in comparison has been pretty disappointing. However, will the Knicks trade him away?
Speculations about player trades are always conversation topics in the NBA. For starters, talks about Giannis Antetokounmpo being a potential target swirled the air for NY. After Stephen A. Smith’s video, many are also wondering if the Knicks could actually get Damian Lillard on board. Lillard has been a loyal guard to the Portland Trail Blazers. However, the team has always failed to make a genuine title contention run. After continuous failures, Lillard expressed the urgency of a winning mentality within the organization. It could be assumed that he could also consider a team-up with Brunson at NY if his demands are not met.
For the time being, there is absolutely no light on any of these rumors. The New York Knicks will have quite a bit to reflect on in the off-season. The Miami Heat walk into the Eastern Conference Finals and wait for their opponent. They will play either one of the Philadelphia 76ers or the Boston Celtics. The two teams will meet for Game 7 in Boston for the series decider on May 13.
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Nikhil Sonmali
(1112 Articles Published)