Stephen A. Smith Calls Max Kellerman a “Traitor” Over Porzingis Take
Stephen A. Smith erupted on ESPN's First Take, calling Max Kellerman a "traitor" for suggesting the New York Knicks should let Kristaps Porzingis walk. Smith argued passionately for Porzingis's potential and slammed the Knicks' history of mismanagement, urging fans to consider supporting other teams.
Stephen A. Smith Unleashes Fury on Max Kellerman, Declaring Him a “Traitor”
The debate over Kristaps Porzingis’s future with the New York Knicks reached a boiling point on ESPN’s First Take, igniting a fiery exchange between Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman. Smith, a lifelong Knicks fan, vehemently disagreed with Kellerman’s stance that the franchise should not match any offer for the Latvian star, labeling Kellerman a “traitor” to New York City and its fanbase.
The Porzingis Predicament: A Humanitarian Plea vs. Franchise Loyalty
Kellerman, arguing from a perspective of player welfare, suggested that Porzingis should be allowed to leave the Knicks to pursue his potential elsewhere. “I’m a humanitarian, and I don’t think Porzingis should be consigned to this fate for the rest of his career because he wants to live the American dream,” Kellerman stated. He elaborated that the Knicks, in his view, are a “bad organization” that would likely “ruin his career,” despite acknowledging recent positive changes under a new coach and GM.
Smith, however, saw this as a betrayal of New York’s basketball heritage. “You’re a traitor,” Smith declared, directly addressing Kellerman. “You don’t deserve to be in New York anymore. You’re a traitor.” Smith’s frustration stems from what he perceives as a pattern of mismanagement by the Knicks, a franchise that has struggled for consistent success. He pointed to the team’s playoff drought, noting they haven’t had a winning record in 15 of the last 18 years, with only a brief three-year gap seeing them reach the postseason.
“Let My People Go”: Smith’s Powerful Analogy
Smith invoked a powerful analogy from the Passover Seder, relating the biblical story of Exodus. “Let my people go,” he chanted, drawing a parallel to Porzingis’s situation. “You need to let Porzingis go. Let him go and be great somewhere. Don’t have this franchise ruin him.” He urged Knicks fans to also consider moving on, suggesting they are “allowed to leave” and find other teams to support given the franchise’s prolonged struggles.
Kellerman’s “Bill Simmons Theory” and the 46-Year Wait
The discussion touched upon the idea, championed by Bill Simmons, that fans are justified in switching allegiances after a significant period without a championship. Smith countered that for the Knicks, that period has stretched to 46 years, making such a shift understandable. Kellerman, a self-proclaimed native New Yorker, was accused by Smith of disregarding the Knicks fanbase by prioritizing Porzingis’s feelings over the team’s immediate needs.
“You sit up here and you’re saying to New York City, ‘Forget y’all. Forget something. I want to think about Porzingis.’ It’s gonna feel… you’re headed a check, go play.”
Porzingis’s Potential and the Knicks’ Track Record
Smith highlighted Porzingis’s immense talent, recalling his previous averages of 22 points and 8 rebounds, coupled with nearly 40% three-point shooting and over 40% field goal shooting. He argued that the “upside is dead” if the Knicks fail to capitalize on such a commodity. “We’re in the business of trying to accumulate talent,” Smith emphasized.
The core of Smith’s argument is his deep-seated distrust of the Knicks’ ability to nurture a talent like Porzingis, whom he believes has the potential to be “the best player in basketball.” He contrasted this with the hypothetical success Porzingis might find under a coach like Gregg Popovich. “What Popovich would do if he could get his hands on Porzingis,” Smith mused, underscoring the perceived wasted potential.
A Call for New Yorkers to Seek Greener Pastures
Smith concluded his impassioned plea by encouraging New Yorkers to “start sniffing around for other teams.” He drew parallels to other New York sports franchises, suggesting that fans of the Yankees and Giants also deserve the best and should demand more from their teams, implying the Knicks are currently falling far short of that standard and have become a “laughingstock.” The segment ended with Smith calling for a commercial break, leaving the fiery debate unresolved.
Source: Stephen A calls Max a traitor for Kristaps Porzingis take First Take (YouTube)
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