Basketball fans had all sorts of priceless responses to a false rumor about Stephen A. Smith possibly interviewing for the New York Knicks’ head coaching vacancy.
In a stunning move, the Knicks announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, even though they just reached the conference finals for the first time in 25 years.
The two-time Coach of the Year revived the long-suffering Knicks franchise and led them to four playoff berths in five years on the job. That included three straight runs to the elite eight, and a surprise appearance in the conference finals this year, where they fell to the Indiana Pacers in six games.
After Thibodeau’s firing, a fake rumor made the rounds that the organization would interview ESPN personality and Knicks superfan Stephen A. Smith for the HC vacancy. The rumor was shared by the satirical NBA Centel X/Twitter account:
The New York Knicks are reportedly set to interview Stephen A. Smith for their head coaching position.
— NBACentel (@TheNBACentel) June 3, 2025
(Via @ChrisBHayne) pic.twitter.com/4VaHoC0ujO
This is obviously fake news, but it didn’t stop basketball fans from sharing all sorts of priceless responses:
“Bro’s gonna be an ESPN show host, NBA Coach and be USA President in 2028 😭😭😭 If you told me this 5 years ago I woulda never believed you 🤣,” one fan said.
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Bro’s gonna be an ESPN show host, NBA Coach and be USA President in 2028 😭😭😭 If you told me this 5 years ago I woulda never believed you 🤣
— ً ً (@cam1223334) June 3, 2025
“a team coached by Stephen A. Smith would go 0-82,” said a user.
a team coached by Stephen A. Smith would go 0-82
— Celtics Lead (@CelticsLead) June 3, 2025
“If this joint actually is true bra 😂,” wrote a fan.
If this joint actually is true bra 😂
— OJ™️😮💨 (@BlessedOrri) June 3, 2025
“This would be a great idea if we have draft picks so we can easily get the 1st overall pick,” another said.
This would be a great idea if we have draft picks so we can easily get the 1st overall pick
— xPLATO (@xplatoreborn) June 3, 2025
“Knowing the Knicks franchise this is probably true,” a fan commented.
Knowing the Knicks franchise this is probably true
— bjack (@BJACKPACERS) June 3, 2025
“Imagine this actually happens tomorrow like how Centel predicted Thibs firing a day ahead,” wrote another.
Imagine this actually happens tomorrow like how Centel predicted Thibs firing a day ahead
— Baby Bull (@BTCBabyBull) June 3, 2025
As humorous and entertaining as it would be for non-Knicks fans to see, Stephen A. Smith is not about to become their head coach. But hey, at least we got some priceless reactions from fans on social media.
Stephen A. Smith Recently Signed An Extension With ESPN
In March, Smith signed a lucrative multi-year extension with the Worldwide Leader in Sports worth at least $100 million. The new deal included a reduced working schedule and the opportunities to discuss other topics like politics on other networks.
Also Read: Stephen A. Smith Issues Blunt Warning To “Future Face Of The NBA” Anthony Edwards
