Stephen A. Smith Uses One Word to Describe Knicks' Leon Rose After Tom Thibodeau News

Smith, who was born and raised in New York, fully believed that the Knicks had what it took to get past the Pacers, and had the Knicks run things back with a similar roster, likely would have believed in them, especially in a weak Eastern Conference.

After the news of Thibodeau's dismissal was revealed, Smith took to ESPN to call Rose a "coward" and urged him to meet the music. 

"I think we all, as New Yorkers, should finally on Rose a statement offensive," he said on ESPN. "Get the hell in front of a microphone and a camera and answer questions. Stop being a coward because that's how he's acting."

Smith went on to say that firing Thibodeau does not get the Knicks closer to a title, and he would have preferred to see the roster change over the coaching staff.

"They know that you're going to support the Knicks, no matter what Leon Rose does, no matter what James Dolan does, and that's why they get away with acting the way that they're acting," said Smith, before pivoting. "Leon Rose has done a damn good job."

The Knicks, it would seem, have finally built a winning team, although whoever takes over will have big shoes to fill.