The New York Knicks won their third championship in franchise history earlier this year, thanks to NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson and his supporting cast. One individual they didn't have to contend with during their postseason run was superstar LeBron James, who was eliminated with the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round by the Oklahoma City Thunder. This offseason, James decided he wouldn't return to the Lakers, instead signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.
That instantly created a formidable Eastern Conference opponent for the Knicks as they look to repeat as champions this season. In one of his recent rants on ESPN, Stephen A. Smith spoke about James choosing the 76ers and said, "We don't need him in New York," but then made a surprising admission.
More news: Bronny James Gets Candid About Playing First Lakers Season Without LeBron "But I'm gonna say something on national television that might shock a lot of people. We know that [LeBron] and I don't mess with each other. If the New York Knicks had lost, I would have come on national TV and begged LeBron James to come to the Knicks," Smith admitted on "First Take." The ESPN star suggested "life is short" and he's moved on since their earlier feuds to where he wouldn't hold back from begging James to play for New York.
"I woulda offered to carry LeBron's bags. I woulda offered to caddy for him, occasionally, while he's trying to learn golf," Smith joked. He also said he would stop short of proclaiming James the greatest of all time, because that spot is still held by Michael Jordan.
However, Smith said he does have James at No. 2 on that list of all-time greats. "But I am not lying, I am not exaggerating, and I am not engaging in hyperbole. If the New York Knicks had lost in the NBA Finals, I would have begged, and I mean begged, LeBron James to come to New York," he reiterated.
Smith has become known as fully supporting the Knicks, and was especially pleased with their run through the playoffs. They lost two games in their first series to the Atlanta Hawks, but then began an epic run that saw them go 12-1 en route to winning the NBA Championship. James will suit up for the 76ers next season, and his first regular-season game is against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
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