To the victor go the spoils, and in modern times, the spoils comprise of getting to taunt your fallen opponent on social media.
After the Heat defeated the Knicks, 96-92, in Game 6 on Friday night in Miami to win their playoff series and advance to the Eastern Conference finals, they had virtually no choice but to take a potshot at ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, a fervent Knicks fan.
“You’ll be going back to the Garden @stephenasmith… next season. #WINNING,” the Heat tweeted, with a waving hand emoji.
“I choose to believe because it ain’t over until it’s over,” Smith said on ESPN prior to Game 6, according to Sports Illustrated.
“History says Miami Heat up 3–1 in the postseason are 14-0 all-time. History says New York Knicks down 3-1 in postseason 0-14 all-time. This is not just a chance to change history, it’s a chance to make history. What you going to do? This orange and blue.
This time, all you need is one game. … all your soul … all your blood… your effort … one game… to get them back to the Garden. How much do you want it? How much do you need it?”
After the game, Smith was in prime form, lavishing praise on Jalen Brunson for being “the only one who showed up” with a 41-point performance, lambasting RJ Barrett and imploring the Knicks to trade away Julius Randle and to try to land Damian Lillard.
“RJ Barrett, 1-for-10 shooting from the field, really? You got the nerve to be sensitive about criticism? Julius Randle, Julius Randle, Julius Randle, 3-for-14, once again, playoffs arrive, once again you fold. Done. Done. It’s time to trade Julius Randle. It is time for him to go,” Smith said.
“I want Damian Lillard. I don’t care what you got to do to get him, I want Damian Lillard. Goodbye.”
The Heat await the winner of Game 7 between the Celtics and Sixers to see who they will face in the next round.