No one backs New York teams like the king of hot takes, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. A native of Hollis, Queens, and a fan of the Knicks, as long as memory stretches, he has been clear that the city is all about harsh truths for its sports teams. “And our passion, our knowledge, our commitment to accountability from our teams, is unparalleled and unapologetic,” he’d say. But for someone as committed, celebrating and criticising every minute, leaving out a crucial detail about the city should be unheard of. Yet, here we are.

But don’t worry, Elle Duncan is here to remind everyone of the history.

In the latest episode of First Take, the spotlight was on Travis Hunter and the Giants’ eyes on the Colorado Buffaloes’ two-way star for the 2025 draft. If you ask Kai Cenat, the team, with its no.3 pick, should definitely go for it because it almost seems like the need of the hour for the city.

“He [Travis Hunter] ought to come to the New York Giants, come on we need something. I wanna see a city really get active and we win something, whether it’s basketball, football—that’s New York… I feel like it’s been way long overdue, and I’m waiting for it,” he says in the episode.

Sure, the Yankees last won their World Series title in 2009, the Giants secured their Super Bowl victory in 2012, and the Knicks? It goes back decades. But one New York team did bring joy to the city just last year and everyone on the panel seemed to have forgotten, except for one– Elle Duncan. Just when the analyst was chiming to correct Kai Cenat on the live television, Stephen A. got all fired up about the New York Giants. He jumped in, passionately talking about them and completely ignoring what Elle had to say. But don’t worry. Elle being Elle did eventually get the last laugh.

She made it a point to correct the YouTuber. When ESPN posted the clipping of the whole incident on X, Elle was there to remind everyone that the New York Liberty had already delivered a trophy to the city this past year! She said, “Was trying to jump in to say..@nyliberty ALREADY took care of that.”

How can you be a fan of New York-based franchises and not know the Liberty won their first title in 28 years last year? Thousands had lined up in the Canyon of Heroes in downtown Manhattan to watch the women’s team take its victory parade. “It really puts into perspective what it means to bring a championship to this city and how it really takes everyone,” Sabrina Ionescu had said as kids swarmed the streets wearing jerseys of their favorite players.

It was a day 20 million New Yorkers cheered in unison for the first time in a decade for one of its sports team. For the first time since 1973 for its basketball team. It was celebrations galore, and not surprisingly, the ESPN analyst was one of the first ones to join in too.

Stephen A. Smith celebrates the Liberty win

As confetti poured down and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” played, the Liberty, led by Breanna Stewart, did what no one else had in their 28-year existence as a franchise–win the WNBA title. They defeated the Minnesota Lynx in 5 games, with the game 5 ending in a 67-62 overtime win.

“I’ve been manifesting this moment for awhile, There’s no feeling like it,” Stewie had said as Jonquel Jones led her team with 17 points towards the victory. After taking a trip to the Finals five times since its joining, the Liberty had finally managed to make that leap.

The veteran sports commentator was certainly delighted! He took to X to post, ” Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! New York. Stand Up! New York Stand Up!! Go NY, Go NY….Go……..say Go NY, Go NY, GO!!!!!!@nyliberty.” His emotions definitely resonated loudly with the New York faithful. Perhaps his beloved Knicks would do the same this year? They certainly have the team to do it!

That said, when Elle Duncan is around, you can’t afford to be ignorant about women’s sports, no matter the topic! So, be prepared to give credit where it’s due.