LAS VEGAS – As the buzzer sounded on one of the biggest New York Knicks wins in recent history, renowned filmmaker and Knicks fan Spike Lee triumphantly held up one finger in the air.
Lee’s hand gesture signified the one victory needed for the Knicks to win the NBA Cup after they defeated the Orlando Magic 132-120 in the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday. New York will play the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup championship game tonight at T-Mobile Arena. While it isn’t an NBA title, the Knicks have an opportunity to win their first championship since 1973.
So, will Lee be back tonight sitting courtside rooting on his Knicks?
“Put that recorder closer to me. Ask me again,” Lee said with a sly grin.
The Andscape reporter again asked if Lee would be at the NBA Cup Finals on Tuesday?
Lee answered: “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?”
The answer to all the above is yes, which was a humorous roundabout way of Lee saying he would be at the NBA Cup championship game rooting on his beloved Knicks.
“All right, then,” Lee said with a smile.
The Academy Award-winning American filmmaker is known for producing acclaimed movies such as “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” “BlacKkKlansman,” “Mo’ Betta Blues,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” “He Got Game,” Oscar-nominated documentaries and more. The 68-year-old is also a renowned Knicks fan since childhood who is often seen at their games home and away decked in Knicks gear and cheering for them.
Lee credits his late father, Bill, for his love of the Knicks. They attended games together at the third Madison Square Garden before the venue was demolished in 1968 and the current Garden was built. Spike Lee attended the deciding Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals when the Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lee often wears a necklace with former Knicks coach Red Holzman’s 1973 NBA championship ring hanging from it, and he is in the James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery at the Naismith Basketball at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The following is a Q&A with Lee, who talks about why he believes these Knicks are a championship-caliber team, first-year Knicks head coach Mike Brown, whether an NBA Cup title means something to him, his love for star guard Jalen Brunson, and more with Andscape.
Marc J. Spears/Andscape
I saw you put up one finger in the air. Does this NBA Cup win and making it to the finals means something to you?
Yeah. It’s not over. Tuesday. … It’s great. But we got a bigger thing. It’s a path.
What was it like seeing the Knicks win championships in the 1970s?
In ’69-70 [season], I was there at Game 7 at 13 years old. The last time we won was the 1972-73 season. That is more than 50 years. That’s five decades. It’s been a long, long, long, long time. But it’s going to be a joyous day in New York City [to win a title]. It’s going to happen.
What makes this team capable of winning an NBA title this season?
Every piece. Every piece. Every piece.
Considering how long you’ve been a patient Knicks fan, what would a title personally mean to you?
I can’t even talk about it. I don’t want to jinx it. But this is a great team. Brunson’s our guy.
Where does Brunson rank among your favorite Knicks players?
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 Holtzman. 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.
What do you think of Mike Brown’s coaching job in his first season with New York?
He’s doing a great job. He’s using the bench.
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