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ESPN<\/a>\u2019s Stephen A. Smith<\/a> on Tuesday urged Donald Trump<\/a> to \u201cstay the hell away\u201d from the New York Knicks<\/a> for the rest of the NBA Finals<\/a> after the president, who attended the team\u2019s Game 3 loss, mocked his \u201clow IQ<\/a>.\u201d (Watch more below.)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cYou want to talk about IQ? I could say I put my IQ up against yours any day of the week,\u201d said the commentator, who Trump once deemed a possible 2028 presidential candidate<\/a>, on ESPN\u2019s \u201cFirst Take.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He later continued, \u201cI could ask you to debate me since you think you\u2019re that dude, OK? We could go a myriad of ways with all of this. But I\u2019m not gonna let you off the hook because none of that is important.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The remarks from Smith mark a rapid escalation in a war of words seemingly sparked when the commentator used Monday\u2019s edition of \u201cFirst Take\u201d to preemptively blame<\/a> Trump if the Knicks were to lose to the San Antonio Spurs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Knicks were on a dominant 13-game win streak<\/a> heading into the matchup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Trump\u2019s decision to attend the game led to heightened security measures at Madison Square Garden and a canceled watch party<\/a> outside the arena.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Once inside, he was greeted by a storm of boos<\/a>, appeared to nod off<\/a> in his seat and apparently left<\/a> less than halfway through the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Trump, when confronted with Smith\u2019s comments after the game, described Smith as a \u201cnice guy\u201d before adding, \u201cBut you need a certain aptitude to run for president. You need a high IQ. I\u2019m not sure that Stephen has that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Less than 12 hours later, Smith said he appreciated Trump calling him a nice guy before showing what he suggested was his \u201cother side.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAnd my other side came out last night when I recognized that businesses that are accustomed to being patronized were compromised by you because you showed up. The crowd that surrounded [MSG] and its surrounding areas you compromised,\u201d said Smith to Trump, a New Yorker and onetime MSG fixture<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI thought you were about the economy? I thought you were about helping New Yorkers because you love New York?\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He later went on, \u201cWe know you\u2019ve made a lot of money. We know you keep making money. But have the New York Knicks benefited?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Smith proceeded to argue that the team \u2014 and the fanbase cheering on its historic postseason run<\/a> \u2014 were on a roll before he showed up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIt\u2019s clear you need your rest, isn\u2019t it?\u201d said Smith in a dig at Trump seemingly dozing off at the game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThe New York Knicks need it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n