NBA Fans Want Vincent Goodwill 'Fired' From ESPN's Programming

Senior NBA writer Vincent Goodwill fired off a take on "Get Up" this week that struck a nerve with the majority of the sports world.

During this Tuesday's episode of "Get Up," ESPN's Mike Greenberg moderated a debate over whether or not NBA dynasties help or hurt the league. This has become a popular topic due to the fact that eight different teams have won a championship since 2019.

Goodwill, who joined ESPN in September 2025, claims dynasties are good for the NBA because they "validate" greatness.

"Dynasty is better for the sport," Goodwill said. "I like to know that greatness is validated. How do we know that any of the last eight champions are actually validated because they have not done it again? Giannis is itching to get out, Boston is thinking about trading Jaylen Brown, they don't believe in their one championship. LeBron's one championship in LA was not enough. So why would it be enough for us?"

ESPN analyst Alan Hahn interrupted and said the Larry O'Brien Trophy alone should validate every champion over the past eight years.

Goodwill then replied, "You mean participation trophy?"

Was this a direct shot at the Knicks?

As you'd imagine, New York Knicks fans aren't thrilled about the Larry O'Brien Trophy being referred to as a participation trophy - especially since their team just won a title for the first time since 1973.

"So the Knicks go 16-3 in the playoffs and win the title and now it's a participation trophy? We get it you hate NY but this is the dumbest most dishonest stuff I've ever heard on ESPN and that's saying something," one fan replied.

"Knicks win it now it doesn't count," a second fan said. "Can't make this up, he's not moving the goal posts here he's removing them."

"He's a clown. We all need to move on quickly from this and forget it," a third fan wrote.

"That's gotta be the dumbest thing Alan Hahn has heard in years, and he sits next to Peter Rosenberg for 4 hours a day 5 days a week," another fan commented.

"Why even cover the NBA if this is how you feel?! Fire him," a social media user added.

What makes this claim even more bizarre is that Goodwill was brought in by ESPN to provide in-depth reporting on the Knicks and Nets.

So why would Goodwill discredit the Knicks after their biggest accomplishment in over 50 years? We're not quite sure.

Copyright The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 8:55 AM.