‘Just stop!’ yells Stephen A. Smith to First Take guest after ‘eye candy’ remark leaves Molly Qerim and Chiney in shock
FIRST Take analyst Kendrick Perkins thinks the 2023-24 New York Knicks are a lot like him.
The ex-NBA center said the Knicks are "eye candy" to the rest of the league, leaving Stephen A. Smith, 56, screaming on Friday morning.
Perkins, 39, defended the Knicks after Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green suggested New York's strong postseason is a "fluke."
Perk called it a "lazy a** take," arguing the team is 2-0 up against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals because of years of smart moves by the front office and coaching staff.
He pointed out the hiring of head coach Tom Thibodeau in 2020, Jalen Brunson's signing in 2022, and the Josh Hart trade in 2023.
"Now all of a sudden, you look at what they're doing right now without their other All-Star in Julius Randle and they're making waves," Perkins said.
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"And they're only going to continue to get better.
"And you know the beautiful thing about the New York Knicks in the position that they're in?
"Their books are not cooked."
Perkins mentioned the haul of draft picks the Knicks own, including all of their first-rounders until 2030.
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He also emphasized New York's salary cap flexibility with the team projected to be more than $20 million under the luxury tax threshold in the offseason, per Spotrac.
"They're like me," Perk said.
"They're eye candy to the rest of the league."
Perkins meant that the Knicks would be an attractive destination for free-agent superstars in the years to come.
But Stephen A. had an issue with the comparison his First Take colleague used, and which prompted awkward smiles from host Molly Qerim and WNBA star Chiney Ogwumike
"Will you stop?" Just stop!" Smith said after rolling his eyes.
Stephen A. Smith's journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
"You got Molly and Chiney right there and you're going to call yourself eye candy? Just stop!"
Ogwumike didn't disagree with Perkins being eye candy before echoing his view on Green's "fluke" remark.
And Perk doubled down on his take, adding the Knicks should watch Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard after the Milwaukee Bucks' first-round playoff exit in the duo's first season together.
"Giannis is unpredictable at this point," he said.
"He might want out. Guess where he can end up? In New York.
"They're eye candy right now."
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The Knicks suffered a huge blow ahead of Game 3 against the Pacers with OG Anunoby ruled out for the Friday clash due to a hamstring strain.
Meanwhile, Brunson was listed as questionable after hurting his foot in Wednesday's 130-121 win in Game 2.