Stephen A Smith has revealed his pick to win the 2026/27 NBA Championship – and it’s not the New York Knicks.
Smith believes the Oklahoma City Thunder are the team to beat this year and has warned the Knicks of a “tough road ahead”.
Speaking ahead of the new season, he said: “October 20th, 2026, the opening of the 2026/27 NBA season, before anything else happens a ring ceremony will take place, it will be placed on the fingers of the New York Knicks, and the banner will raise to the rafters.
“Finally, it will be official, New York Knicks are the NBA Champions.”
The ESPN personality warned that defending the title would be a much greater challenge.
He said: “It will be a tough road ahead now, because you’ve got to defend that crown and I think the Oklahoma City Thunder are the favourites to win it all.
“I don’t see anybody beating them all healthy in an NBA Finals.”
It’s safe to say fans didn’t share his confidence and criticised his assessment of the Knicks. One replied, “The banner isn’t even up yet and he is already betraying the Knicks.”
Another added: “Stop being so dramatic. We all know you will make sure to have fake emotion and espn all over it. Spike is more of a fan than you. You don’t even go to all the home games.”