Acclaimed director Spike Lee has been a New York Knicks fan for as long as he’s been alive. He’s optimistic about the team’s chances going into the NBA Cup championship game. At 68, he’s one of the biggest fans of his franchise in the world. When he’s not suing the team, you can usually find him courtside in Knicks colors, even at road games. Lee has a deep connection with the team, propelled by fond recollections of going to games with icons such as Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, and Dick Barnett. These memorable performances happened at the first Madison Square Garden.
Lee’s love of the Knicks started with his dad, Bill Lee. He did this by ardently forging a love and passion for the game of basketball in his son. To this day, he vividly remembers being at that thrilling Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. That’s when the New York Knicks beat the Los Angeles Lakers. That deep past energizes his present-day passion because he feels the current collection of players has the makings of a championship team.
Overall, Lee is one of the most influential practitioners in the film industry and the basketball community. He’s behind some of the most influential films of our time, including “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” and “BlacKkKlansman.” His Oscar-nominated work as a documentary filmmaker makes him an even more impressive titan of the arts. He’s done the impossible cinematic success. He is memorialized in the James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Spike Lee’s support for the Knicks runs deeper than simple fandom. He’s got a huge affection for star guard Jalen Brunson. He thinks that they go as far as Brunson takes them. The New York Knicks celebrate after defeating the Orlando Magic 132-120 to advance to the NBA Cup Final. After the victory, Lee waved his hand after the win, indicating that his squad needs only one more win to take the championship.
“Is the Pope Catholic? Did the Pope go to Villanova? Do we have three players from Villanova? Did Pope Leo get a Knicks jersey from me?” – Spike Lee
Lee’s commitment to the Knicks is further exemplified by his wearing of a necklace featuring former coach Red Holzman’s 1973 NBA championship ring. This post is meant to be a concrete reminder of past glories, while at the same time he passionately and hopefully roots for future victories.
As Tuesday night’s NBA Cup championship game approaches, hopeful Spike Lee is still hoping. He’s confident that this year’s squad has the talent and grit necessary to add another championship trophy to New York’s collection.
“He’s getting up there. Growing up, Walt Frazier was my guy. Hey, you got Patrick [Ewing], Willis [Reed]. The guys I grew up with. Coach Red Holzman. The backcourt. [Walt] Frazier, [Earl] Monroe, [Dick] Barnett. Senator Bill Bradley. Dave DeBusschere. Cazzie Russell. Dave Stallworth. I was a kid. I grew up with those guys. It’s going to happen.” – Spike Lee
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