Stephen A. Smith Has Prolonged Meltdown After Knicks Trade Out of First Round

The New York Knicks are always disappointing Stephen A.  Smith.

The NY native is one of the most vocal of the Knicks’ long-suffering fanbase. Him and film director and Knicks super fan Spike Lee are definitely the most visible.  Smith was noticeably timid prior to the draft.

KNICKS 😢😢😢😢 pic.twitter.com/UfDUVDk5kQ

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 24, 2022

So it was no surprise that Smith was pinning his hopes on New York’s selection at No. 11. Heading into the draft, there were even rumors that the Knicks might try to trade up in an effort to selected Purdue star Jaden Ivey.

That didn’t happen. That didn’t stop Smith and Lee, who walked onto the ABC set prior New York’s selection, from searching for a higher power to lead the Knicks to the promised land.

Spike Lee and Stephen A. Smith had to pray for the Knicks during the #NBADraft 😅 pic.twitter.com/WFVCT4QkUL

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 24, 2022

Smith and Lee’s prayers seemed to go unanswered.  New York took Ousmane Dieng with the No. 11 pick before sending his rights to the Oklahoma City Thunder. That didn’t do a whole lot to alleviate Smith and Lee’s fears.  Their exasperated expressions tell you everything you need to know.

See below:

Spike Lee & Stephen A Smith reaction to Knicks drafting Ousmane Dieng is hilarious 🤣😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/mqNvdM7JrQ

— Shannon Sharpe Burner Account (@shannonsharpeee) June 24, 2022

Lee even consoled Smith after his Knicks preference, Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis, went to the Wizards at No. 10.

IT HAPPENED AGAIN! 😡😡😡 pic.twitter.com/TVqqb6bg8o

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 24, 2022

Spike Lee consoling Stephen A 😭

Knicks fans going through it

(via @stephenasmith) pic.twitter.com/KCGs6tNUDC

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 24, 2022

The @WashWizards select @JohnnyDavis with the 10th pick in the 2022 #NBADraft presented by State Farm! pic.twitter.com/IsRY3FMXcL

— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2022

Stephen A. Smith wore that frustration on his face.

Stephen A Smith is having a ABSOLUTE MELTDOWN over The Knicks 😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/5dSi4Zjheh

— Shannon Sharpe Burner Account (@shannonsharpeee) June 24, 2022

The King. pic.twitter.com/Dbm3TG7xAU

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 24, 2022

stephen a smith going through all 5 stages of grief rn #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/M4sGUp2vDG

— grace (@grace07490780) June 24, 2022

Smith, who had to be consoled by his ESPN colleagues when he realized the Knicks weren’t drafting anybody.

.@KevinNegandhi had @stephenasmith's emotions all over the place in this clip 😅 pic.twitter.com/718NYPw4mQ

— ESPN (@espn) June 24, 2022

“We’ve seen shot blockers drafted, we’ve seen athletes drafted, we’ve seen shooters drafted, we’ve seen point guards drafted, we’ve seen everything drafted,” Smith said during ABC’s telecast.

But the Knicks didn’t draft anybody.

…We’ve got picks all over the place. Every ingredient that you could muster. You want paprika, you want black pepper, you want salt, you want nothing, it doesn’t matter. Everybody got something…but one team. And that’s the New York Knicks.”

Just part of Stephen A.’s brand, the suffering New York Knicks fan.

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