Stephen A. Smith sharply criticized Donald Trump’s decision to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, calling it selfish, narcissistic, and ridiculous—while many fans said the focus should stay on the Knicks.
Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back when Donald Trump decided to attend the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals game on Monday night.
The Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are set to square off for Game 3. and the president has decided to be there. For some fans. the biggest concern isn’t the matchup—it’s what Trump’s arrival will mean for regular people trying to get into Madison Square Garden. with extra stress on top of an already intense game day.
Smith was one of the critics. “This president has no business showing up in New York City. I am dead serious,” he said. “It is selfish, it is narcissistic, it is ridiculous that he is coming to this game.”
He pressed the point further by tying the decision to the location itself. “This is the Garden, this is Midtown Manhattan. Do you have any idea what the congestion is going to be like?”
Not everyone watching the situation felt the same urgency. Many fans, even if they noticed Trump’s attendance, said they’re focused on the series—and on what the crowd can do once they’re inside.
Kyu Kim told MS NOW Monday, “The more the merrier. We’re going to find ways to be crazy, right? We’re going to be the Sixth Man, right? We’re going to make sure this doesn’t get back to San Antonio. So with Trump or not, doesn’t matter.”
Others said the thought of longer waits in security lines didn’t change their plans. In the same MS NOW segment on “Katy Tur Reports,” Roger Verno said, “Just worry about the Knicks. Don’t worry about Trump and waiting in line for three hours.” He added. “I’ve waited in line for three hours for many. many things. It’s worth it. The Knicks are worth it.”.
Even New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani didn’t jump immediately into a direct condemnation of Trump’s presence at Madison Square Garden. When asked about it, he ducked the question a bit and steered attention toward the game itself and how Knicks fans should handle reactions.
“I think one of the things that I’ve learned is don’t give advice to other Knicks fans. they will make their own decisions,” Mamdani said. “I haven’t given anybody advice on how to respond to me.”
As Game 3 approaches. the contrast is sharp: Smith framed Trump’s attendance as a selfish disruption tied to New York City’s realities. while plenty of Knicks supporters treated it as a secondary concern to the bigger task in front of them—helping push the team and. as they put it. making sure the moment doesn’t shift back toward San Antonio.
Stephen A. Smith Donald Trump Knicks Spurs NBA Finals Game 3 Madison Square Garden Zohran Mamdani Kyu Kim Roger Verno Katy Tur Reports MS NOW