The Boston Celtics are on top of the NBA universe, that much is certain, but there are always going to be challengers looking to dethrone the champions.
In the Eastern Conference, many look to the rival Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks as teams on the rise that have the greatest chance of hurdling past the Celtics into the promised land.
Of the two, which one should carry the mantle as the most likely to end Boston’s reign?
Smith told The OGs Show that he believes the 76ers are a better NBA team than the Knicks.
Stephen A. Smith believes that the Philadelphia 76ers are better than the New York Knicks 👀
(🎥 @theOGsShow / https://t.co/Fu9RbiJhmN) pic.twitter.com/KyKKqPwckl
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 9, 2024
The ESPN commentator noted that the 76ers’ Joel Embiid fought through injuries to average 35 points per game against the Knicks on one leg.
Smith also praised Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxie as a “special” player who will cause New York matchup nightmares.
Maxie recently received a $204 million extension, and while this was the maximum he could receive, Smith still believes that the star deserved more.
The question to Smith is if “Paul George is what Paul George is supposed to be.”
If he lives up to his billing, George, Embiid and Smith are a formidable lineup.
Smith is a notable lifelong Knicks fan who bleeds for the Orange and Blue, but he had to concede that New York is not a better team than Boston or Philly.
And while Boston is on “another level” as the newly crowned NBA champions, the 76ers are onto something special with George, Embiid and Smith leading the club.
And, as Smith was forced to recognize, they are a step ahead of his beloved Knicks.
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