Stephen A. Trolls Josh Hart in New Video, 'You Haven't Won a Game Since You Clapped Back at Me'

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith continued his criticism of New York Knicks star Josh Hart on Wednesday's edition of First Take, noting the team hasn't won a game since Hart said Smith should "shut the hell up."

To start from the beginning, Hart defended his teammate, Mikal Bridges, from what he feels is "unfair" criticism for his stats (e.g. 10.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 3.1 APG in March), which some may feel are lacking after a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets (of note: five unprotected first-round picks went the Nets' way) to acquire him in the summer of 2024.

"He's been doing what's been asked of him," Hart said in part, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. "And I've said it before — when you're a guy who, for a year and a half [with the Brooklyn Nets] when you're the No. 1 guy and he's getting those plays called for him."

Smith then went on First Take and bluntly told Hart to "be quiet."

Hart felt the same way about Smith.

"For me, I think Stephen A., as a part-time Knicks fan, needs to shut the hell up," Hart said, per Steve Popper of Newsday. "He barely knows guys that are on the team."

Smith then delivered a 15-minute video in response to those comments.

"I love Josh Hart...Josh Hart is the Energizer Bunny for the Knicks. He makes them better in every way; his game, his character, his toughness. I love the guy," Smith said in part, per Andrew Peters of B/R.

However, Smith also had some other things to say.

"First of all, you don't know who I know," he said. "Secondly, you don't know who talks to me. Thirdly, you don't even know how close I am to the people that cut your checks, Josh Hart. Clearly, you haven't done your homework."

The Knicks just lost three straight road games to the Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets by a combined 39 points, and all were by at least 11 points.

New York is still third in the Eastern Conference with a 48-28 record, but there's obviously concern the Knicks may not be able to make the leap to the NBA Finals after making runs to the second round in 2023 and 2024 and conference finals in 2025.

As far as the Smith-Hart "beef" goes, the only block to any outside noise, like Smith's comments, is winning games.

The Knicks are gutting through a tough stretch, but everyone starts at 0-0 in the playoffs. They can truly quiet outside detractors by making a deep playoff run. In the meantime, New York will look to get back in the win column Wednesday when it visits the Memphis Grizzlies.