Stephen A. Smith apologizes to the city of Denver: ‘This is embarrassing!’

For the Denver Nuggets and their fans who feel like they’re constantly being snubbed by the national media, please accept this apology from Stephen A. Smith.

With Denver trailing the Minnesota Timberwolves 2-0 in their Western Conference Semifinals series last week, many in the media were quick to pronounce the Nuggets dead, Smith being among them. In the wake of those predictions, the Nuggets now lead their series with Minnesota 3-2. Perhaps more important than Denver saving their season, however, is the fact that it garnered a heartfelt apology from Stephen A. Smith Wednesday morning on First Take.

“If Denver wins this series, if Denver ends up going to the Finals…not only am I going to go on [Mark Schlereth’s] show, I might personally go on a damn apology tour throughout the city of Denver.” – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/eTeFKAcdTX

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 15, 2024

“If Denver wins this series, if Denver ends up going to the Finals,” Smith said. “Not only am I going to go on [Mark Schlereth’s] radio show, I might personally go on a damn apology tour throughout the city of Denver. That’s how embarrassed I am by what I have seen Minnesota do over these last three games. It’s been bad, Perk. It’s been bad.”

“I’m looking at Denver, if they overcome this, I’ve got to be like a politician in Denver. ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry, please forgive me.’ That’s what I’ve got to do throughout the city of Denver,” Smith continued. “That’s what I’m gonna have to do! This is embarrassing!”

Down 2-0 last week, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone showed his team a video of all the “talking heads” who were quick to count them out. And while those “talking heads” alone probably shouldn’t be credited with motivating the Nuggets turnaround, their three-game win streak has made predictions of a Minnesota sweep by Smith, Charles Barkley and others look rough.

Barkley seemed bothered by the video, responding to Malone with a rant to remind the Nuggets head coach he “ain’t the greatest thing since sliced bread.” Credit to Smith, however, who had some fun with it and responded by apologizing.

[First Take]