Stephen A. Smith Slams Trump for Planning to Crash the NBA Finals, Warning the Presidential Motorcade Will Bring New York to Its Knees
‘You don’t understand!’
President Donald Trump’s plan to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden is already causing chaos across New York City, and Stephen A. Smith is furious about it. According to the Daily Mail, the ESPN commentator didn’t hold back on First Take this week, calling Trump’s decision “selfish, narcissistic, and ridiculous” while warning that the president’s motorcade and security measures will bring Midtown Manhattan to a standstill and ruin the vibe.
The NYPD has already shut down every sidewalk and street from West 30th to West 35th between Sixth and Eighth Avenues, blocking all pedestrian and vehicle traffic in one of the city’s busiest areas starting at 4.00 p.m. That’s hours before tip-off, and Smith made it clear he’s not happy about the disruption.
“This is the Garden. This is Midtown Manhattan. You have any idea what the congestion is going to be like?” he ranted. “I get off my radio show at 3 o’clock. I’ve been instructed that I got to go straight to the Garden for an 8:30 game. Because that’s how bad traffic is going to be.”
Smith’s frustration goes beyond just the logistical nightmare
He’s convinced Trump’s presence could jinx the Knicks, who are riding a 13-game winning streak. “Anything that disrupts it, if it causes the New York Knicks to lose, I’m blaming him. I’m blaming the president of the United States,” he declared. “And damn it, I hope the GOP lose votes because of it. If we lose tonight, I’m going to be against them all.” His warning was clear: if the Knicks lose Game 3, he’s holding Trump personally responsible.
The backlash isn’t just coming from Smith. New York lawmakers have also criticized the president’s decision, arguing that his attendance is overshadowing what should be a celebration for the city. According to The Hill, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called it a “vibe-killer”, pointing out that the security measures have already forced the cancellation of watch parties outside Madison Square Garden.
“As a politician, I’ve gone to my fair amount of sports games,” she said. “There are just some things that – you don’t want to go either to jinx it or just in general. Sometimes the accommodations that are required for the security just for you to show up are not worth shutting down for other people.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed those concerns, saying that Trump has a habit of “ruining a good thing.” “The Knicks haven’t been in the finals for 27 years, the city is trying to celebrate, we’re trying to embrace this, and this guy has to inject himself,” he said.
The criticism highlights a broader frustration
Trump’s attendance isn’t just about security but about the message it sends. For a city that’s finally celebrating its team’s return to the NBA Finals, his presence feels like an unnecessary distraction.
Smith, never one to mince words, doubled down on his stance over the weekend after facing pushback. A user accused him of hypocrisy, pointing out that he didn’t have a problem with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Smith fired back, “Grow the Hell up! I have a problem with any politician – any politician – that shows up, causes delays, and interferes with these watch parties buzzing all over NYC. It’s not political. It’s about the @nyknicks and the vibe this city has going.” He made it clear: this isn’t about party lines. It’s about the disruption Trump’s visit is causing to fans, businesses, and the city’s atmosphere.
The impact on local businesses is already being felt
With streets shut and watch parties canceled, bars and restaurants in the area are bracing for a hit. Tickets for Game 3 were already selling for upwards of $8,000, and now fans are dealing with the added stress of navigating a security lockdown just to get to the arena. For many, the excitement of the Knicks’ playoff run is being overshadowed by the logistical nightmare of Trump’s visit.
Trump, for his part, has framed his attendance as a show of support for the team and its owner, James Dolan. “I’ve been a Knicks fan for a long time, and I’m also a Jim Dolan fan,” he said. He even joked about missing part of Wednesday’s game because he was busy talking to generals about the Iran war. But for fans like Smith, the president’s presence isn’t a gesture of fandom; it’s an unwelcome intrusion.
“This man gonna sit up there and show up to the Garden tonight,” Smith said. “I mean, you gotta be kidding me. You got people gotta show up 4 or 5 hours before the damn game.”
The controversy underscores a larger issue: the challenges of balancing security for high-profile figures with the everyday realities of city life. The unprecedented security measures that will have to be in place for a Trump visit reflect the unique demands of protecting someone in his position.
For New Yorkers, the trade-off feels steep. The Knicks’ playoff run is a rare moment of unity and excitement for the city, and Trump’s attendance risks turning it into a political spectacle.
Smith’s warning about the “vibe” of the game isn’t just hyperbole
The energy at Madison Square Garden is electric right now. The last thing anyone wants is for that energy to be drained by traffic jams, canceled events, and the inevitable debates about whether Trump’s presence is more of a distraction than a show of support. For Smith, the message is simple: “Anyone who messes with that needs to not show up.”
As the Knicks prepare to take the court for Game 3, the stakes are higher than ever, not just for the team, but for the city itself. If the Knicks win, the celebration will be that much sweeter. But if they lose, don’t be surprised if Stephen A. Smith leads the charge in blaming Trump for ruining what should have been a perfect night.
(Featured image: Moody College of Communication)
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