Celtics Legend Has Fighting Words For Stephen A. Smith, Knicks Fans originally appeared on NESN.
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The New York Knicks’ first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks has been a rollercoaster.
After winning Game 1 handily, the Knicks lost back-to-back games by one point before bouncing back to win Game 4 on the road, evening the series before Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.
It’s been an emotionally taxing series for New Yorkers, who tend to overreact to the highs and lows.
On Monday’s episode of “First Take,” former Boston Celtics star Kendrick Perkins ripped into Stephen A. Smith and his fellow Knicks fans for being too fickle and emotional.
.@KendrickPerkins with an announcement for @stephenasmith and Knicks fans 📣 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/oJZ7yX2fZg
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 27, 2026
“You know what’s the sad part about it is this: y’all are somewhat spoiled,” Perkins said.
“Spoiled? Over what?” Smith screamed.
“Y’all are spoiled. Y’all are entitled. Y’all are not the Lakers. Y’all are not the Celtics,” Perkins continued, saying the Knicks haven’t won nearly enough for their fans to behave the way they do.
He’s right about that. New York has won only two NBA titles, and none since 1973. The Knicks haven’t even been to the NBA Finals since 1999, and that streak may continue given how well the Celtics are playing.
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