ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith appeared as a guest on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast recently and made a bold prediction concerning the Dallas Mavericks. Speaking with host Carmelo Anthony, Stephen A predicted that the Mavericks, if healthy, will win the 2026 NBA Finals.

“If Kyrie Irving comes back healthy and Anthony Davis is healthy, I think Dallas should be the favorite to win it all,” Smith said.

“Let me tell you why I feel this way. Oklahoma (City) is the reigning defending camp. They pretty much had their way with most teams (in 2024-25) before the Finals.”

“(But) not Dallas,” Smith continued. “The year before (2023-24), they (beat) Oklahoma City (in the playoffs) … Kyrie and those boys is that kryptonite.”

“Cooper Flagg can play,” Smith added. “And then not only that, you got Anthony

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