New York hosted its first NBA Finals game since 1999 on Monday. Some big names appeared for the big night, including American President Donald Trump. While it was the first time a sitting President visited an NBA Finals game, not everyone was happy about it. Stephen A. Smith voiced his opinion on why it was not a great idea, but following the New York Knicks‘ 115-111 loss to the Spurs, the President took a sharp swipe at Stephen A. Smith.

“I think he’s a nice guy, but you need a certain aptitude to run for president,” Trump stated directly to reporters. “You need a high IQ. I’m not sure that Stephen has that. I don’t think he does actually.”

Trump addressed the media outside his plane after attending Game 3. It was there that the reporters asked him about Smiths’ chances of making a run for the presidency.

It’s no secret that Smith wants to run for the presidency in the near future. While he’s not officially campaigning, he’s built a political persona with commentary beyond his day job, talking about sports.

“I have no choice, because I’ve had elected officials, and I’m not going to give their names, elected officials coming up to me. I’ve had folks who are pundits come up to me. I’ve had folks that got a lot of money, billionaires, and others that have talked to me about exploratory committees and things of that nature. I’m not a politician. I’ve never had a desire to be a politician,” Smith told ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl.

When it was confirmed that the president was attending the game, Smith criticized the decision and explicitly declared that he would blame Trump if the Knicks lost. The Knicks did, in fact, lose with Trump watching from Dolan’s suite with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and his granddaughter, Kai.

While it is unclear when he will make the official decision on running for the presidency. However, he did point out why he wasn’t happy with the current POTUS visiting MSG, and it did not have a political reason.

President Trump and Stephen A. Smith’s feud escalates over Knicks’ Finals run

Hours before tip-off, the sheer volume of federal security measures threatened to overshadow the franchise’s first home Finals appearance since 1999 and a rowdy city that wanted to be front and center of the Knicks’ resurgence.

In an episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show just before the game, the veteran analyst argued that the President would disrupt a moment that should be about the team and its fans.

“This is about an individual engaging in a level of narcissism that really rakes my freakin’ nerves. He’s got no business here tonight,” Smith stated passionately on his podcast. “It has nothing to do with politics. It has everything to do with the fervor that exists around the New York Knicks, and he is disrupting everything the Knicks have been vibing with.”

Smith’s concerns were echoed across the Garden’s vicinity as the NYPD established a strict “frozen zone” spanning several city blocks, forcing the cancellation of the team’s massive outdoor plaza watch party.  Additional security measures were implemented inside the arena for ticketholders.

The sudden logistical changes left thousands of fans frustrated, forcing them into packed local bars and side-street viewing stations. When the Knicks lost, these unofficial watch parties turned into riots. NYPD officers had to use aggressive crowd control to contain the situation. Pepper spray was used, and several arrests were reportedly made.

Even before the game began, the environment that greeted a sitting president inside the arena was hostile. Fans rained boos and jeers when Trump was shown on the Jumbotron during the national anthem. Fans, who complained to the media that their moment was stolen from them, also booed at the outdoor watch parties.

It was clear that all the security restrictions and the subsequent 115-111 loss left local spectators incredibly agitated. Trump’s clapback at Smith, the Knicks’ loss, and the law and order breakdown set the stage for a strong response from Stephen A. when the First Take panel discusses the 2-1 series shift.