Fox Sports 1 host Danny Parkins has been a vocal skeptic of the New York Knicks all postseason. But after finally conceding he was wrong about the team's championship potential, he found himself on the receiving end of a classic Hollywood roast—courtesy of none other than Ben Stiller.
It all started when Stiller liked a post on X where Parkins admitted his error. The actor, a lifelong Knicks fan, then took it a step further, calling out Parkins directly with a nod to his iconic film Meet the Parents.
“Danny. I almost responded to your (with respect) deeply flawed non believer take – in which you said you wouldn’t even believe in the Knicks if they actually won the championship,” Stiller wrote on X. He added, “so no bad blood, thanks for the MTP love, and if anything you represent what many feel when they can’t accept the reality in front of their eyes of this brilliant, record breaking team. People want to dunk on the Knicks, always have in my life time, which will make this chip all the sweeter. Much love and orange and blue skies, Focker.”
Parkins had earlier lamented on First Things First, “I guess I’m out of Ben Stiller’s circle of trust. This is very upsetting,” referencing the famous “circle of trust” scene from the comedy.
The back-and-forth didn’t end there. Parkins responded in the replies, apologizing and clarifying his stance. “Oh if I ever conveyed I wouldn’t believe in them if they WON THE TITLE then I erred as a communicator. Certainly picked ATL & CLE & think the path has inflated this team but hey, I’ve been wrong every step of the way! My lunch should be cancelled due to lack of hustle,” he wrote.
Stiller's playful jab comes as the Knicks are just four wins away from their first NBA championship since 1973. He was a child during that last title run, and his breakout role as Gaylord “Greg” Focker came a year after the Knicks fell to the Spurs in the 1999 Finals. Now, the team has a chance to rewrite history, facing either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Spurs in the Finals.
The Knicks' surge has captured the city's imagination, with fans roasting even political figures over their sudden interest. The team's dominant playoff run—including a sweep of the Cavaliers—has turned skeptics into believers, though Parkins held out until recently.
Stiller's message underscores a sentiment many Knicks fans share: after decades of disappointment, this team feels different. With a record-breaking offense and a gritty defense, they've silenced doubters at every turn. Even comparisons to legendary teams are starting to surface.
For Parkins, the lesson is clear: never doubt the Knicks—or Ben Stiller's ability to call you out for it. As the actor put it, it's all love and “orange and blue skies” from here.
