As the Knicks battle through a grueling playoff series, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and NBA legend Udonis Haslem (@stephenasmith and @ud40) have voiced what many New York fans are starting to feel deep down: heightened concern. What was once a promising postseason run has begun to unravel, and the cracks are starting to show—on the court, in the locker room, and now on national TV.
Stephen A. Smith, the face of Knicks fandom in the media, didn’t hold back during this morning’s segment on First Take. “I’m worried,” he said, pacing in frustration. “Brunson’s doing everything he can, but where’s the help? Where’s the heart? This is the Garden! And we’re letting teams come in here and punk us!” His concern was not just about effort, but the overall direction of the team, especially with mounting injuries and inconsistent bench play.
Haslem, never one to mince words, chimed in with his own take. “Look, I respect what Thibs has built, but this team is wearing down. You can’t ask one or two guys to carry the whole load every night,” he said on NBA Today. “I’ve been in deep playoff runs. You need depth, toughness, and trust. Right now, the Knicks look like they’re running out of gas—and fast.”
This sudden wave of concern comes after a disappointing Game 5 performance where the Knicks looked flat, frustrated, and out of rhythm. Jalen Brunson, while still producing numbers, is clearly facing double teams and physical play every possession. Julius Randle’s absence due to injury has left a void in offensive firepower and rebounding. Josh Hart has been a warrior, but his minutes are piling up, and the rest of the bench hasn’t stepped up in a meaningful way.
Defensively, the Knicks seem a step slow. Rotations are breaking down, opponents are hitting open shots, and the physicality that defined them earlier in the season just isn’t there. For a team built on grit and grind, that’s a red flag. Thibodeau’s system requires maximum effort and mental sharpness every possession—but when fatigue and injuries stack up, it becomes unsustainable.
Stephen A. and Haslem aren’t calling it quits on the Knicks—but they’re sounding the alarm. There’s still time to salvage the series, but the window is shrinking. Game 6 looms large, and if the Knicks don’t respond with urgency, this dream season could end in bitter disappointment.
The fan base is feeling the pressure too. Social media is buzzing with frustration and worry, with fans calling for adjustments, lineup changes, and for someone anyone besides Brunson to rise to the moment.
@stephenasmith and @ud40 have “heightened concern” for the Knicks 😯, and now the question becomes: will the team respond like contenders—or fade under the weight of expectations? One thing’s for sure: all eyes are on Game 6, and the Knicks better be ready.
