The New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time in 51 years, and the trophy presentation came with a not-so-subtle message aimed at a former employer. Casey Smith, the team’s Vice President of Sports Medicine, didn’t hold back after New York closed out the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5.
On social media shortly after the final buzzer, Smith posted what many are interpreting as a direct shot at his old boss, Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison. Smith wrote: “Shout out to my real ones. They said we weren’t a good fit for their culture. Said we weren’t good enough in our roles. Peter Patton, Heather Mau, Jalen. We did and will continue to do the work.”
Who Was Fired and Why It Matters
Smith, along with athletic trainer Heather Mau and development coach Peter Patton, were among the staff let go by Harrison during his tenure with the Mavericks. Reports at the time indicated Smith’s role had been gradually reduced before his eventual dismissal. The Knicks, a team that had battled injury issues for years, moved quickly to bring him on board.
Smith’s résumé speaks for itself. He is a Hall of Fame inductee for his work with Team USA’s 2008 and 2012 Olympic squads. During this postseason run, he played a critical role managing Knicks injuries, including backup big man Mitchell Robinson’s finger issue that could have derailed the team’s depth.
From Dallas Fallout to New York Glory
The contrast between Smith’s exit from Dallas and his arrival in New York is hard to ignore. The Knicks, who hadn’t reached the NBA Finals since 1999, won their first championship since 1973. For Smith, that ring comes with the satisfaction of proving his doubters wrong. The team has not commented on the social media post, but fans online were quick to note the timing and tone.
One of the names Smith shouted out was Jalen Brunson, the Knicks star guard who was also a former Maverick. Brunson’s father, Rick, is an assistant coach on Mike Brown’s staff and was a member of that 1999 Knicks team that lost to the Spurs. That full-circle moment adds another layer to the story.
For Nico Harrison and the Mavericks organization, the title win in New York carries a sting. The staff that Harrison deemed unfit for Dallas’s culture has now been rewarded with championship hardware. Whether this was a calculated dig or just a moment of triumph, Smith’s message made one thing clear: he saw the outcome coming.
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