The New York Knicks aren’t playing the way Coach Thibs would be proud of in the slightest. What was supposed to be a nitty gritty series against Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat has turned into the Knicks being down 3-1 to the 8th seed. Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley are clearly disappointed with the way this series has gone so far and hilariously went at Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith for their shortcomings.
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Everything from Julius Randle having lackluster games to their wavering defense that is highly uncharacteristic of the way they played D throughout the regular season has resulted in the Knicks being down a 3-1 hole. Randle was even quoted as saying and perhaps even admitting that the Heat just ‘want it more’ than the NYK squad.
Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley get at Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith
It’s quite rare to see Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley team up to go at Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith. Smith is usually the one instigating quarrels between the two Hall-of-Fame big men leading to hilarious bits on ‘Inside the NBA’.
However, with Kenny being a native of New York City, Chuck and Shaq felt as though it was time for them to get at him for rooting for a team that is one loss away from being eliminated from the Playoffs.
“You don’t get the ‘NY’ back until the Knicks win,” said Shaq to Kenny. Barkley chimed in by saying, “It’s going to be fun working with you, Ken Smith.” This of course, is because NY stands for New York and Kenny was actually quite responsive to this subtle roast, acknowledging that it was quite funny and witty.
Shaq: “You don’t get the N-Y back until the Knicks win.”
Chuck: “It’s gonna be fun working with you, Ken Smith.” 💀 pic.twitter.com/h96m59JKCk— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 10, 2023
Shaquille O’Neal has faith in the Warriors
Another series that has a team that was initially favored prior to the start of their series only to be down 3-1 is the Golden State Warriors. The defending champions could not handle Lonnie Walker IV’s 15 point 4th quarter in Game 4 and now have to win three straight to advance in the Playoffs.
While most of the NBA world feels as though the Lakers are going to win this series, Shaquille O’Neal believes Stephen Curry and the Warriors still have a chance. The last time the Warriors came back from a 3-1 deficit was in the 2016 Western Conference Finals against the OKC Thunder 7 years ago. Perhaps lightning man strike twice for the 4x champions.
