The Knicks faltered down the stretch on the road in Game 6 against the Heat on Friday night, ending the team’s season in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Miami star Jimmy Butler scored 24 points and added eight rebounds to pace the Heat, who used a series of clutch buckets and big defensive stops late to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season.
ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, a longtime Knicks fan, took to Twitter after the game to voice his displeasure over the team’s exit and his wish for a key offseason acquisition.
“Needed a few moments,” Smith began. “The season’s over. I guess in the end I always knew the New York Knicks would lose. Tom Thibodeau. Team can’t shoot, but you only play Evan Fournier 27 games this season … don’t give him a second of time in the playoffs. Grimes air ball at the end of the game. Jalen Brunson, spectacular … 41 points. But he’s the only one who showed up!” he exclaimed as he was getting visibly more frustrated.
“R.J. Barrett 1-for-10 shooting from the field. Really? Really? And you’ve got the nerve to be sensitive about criticism? Julius Randle. Julius Randle. Julius Randle…3-for-14. Once again the playoffs arrive, once again you fold. Done. Done! It’s time to trade Julius Randle. It’s time for him to go.”
Pain.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 13, 2023
I want Dame. pic.twitter.com/KAvmQI4hCX
As for offseason plans? Smith had his eye on one player.
“I want Damian Lillard. Don’t care what you gotta do, I want Damian Lillard,” Smith said before ending the video.
Lillard would be quite the acquisition for the Knicks, but it would likely take a haul to pry him away from Portland.
After a successful season for the Knicks that put the team on the cusp of a conference finals appearance, there will certainly be some retooling in the offseason around star Jalen Brunson, regardless of whether or not an acquisition of Lillard is in the cards.
