Filmmaker Spike Lee says he’d commerce considered one of his Oscars to see the Knicks win all of it within the NBA Finals.
“I obtained two. I’d commerce the honorary one and hold the one for screenwriting for ‘BlacKkKlansman,'” Lee stated in an interview with CNN printed on Thursday. “Commerce that in a second.”
The filmmaker additionally hinted he’d be prepared to go on yet one more film with longtime collaborator Denzel Washington if it meant a Knicks championship. They’ve labored collectively on 5 movies over greater than twenty years.
“Effectively, Denzel said publicly like he solely has two extra movies and he is carried out,” Lee stated.
He added that the actor in all probability would not take subject together with his selection: “However Denzel understands why, he stated already he is retiring.”
David E. Klutho /Sports activities Illustrated by way of Getty Pictures
Lee additionally recalled bringing Knicks jerseys to the Vatican after studying Pope Leo XIV attended Villanova College, the alma mater of three present Knicks gamers, together with captain Jalen Brunson.
“I had two going to Vatican Metropolis. I gave him one, signed by me, and I gave him one other for him to signal. It got here again two months later, nevertheless it was signed,” Lee stated.
A lifelong Knicks fan, Lee has been a staple at Madison Sq. Backyard for many years.
In the course of the Knicks’ present Finals run, Lee attended every of the primary 4 video games, making the journey to San Antonio for Video games 1 and a couple of earlier than returning to Madison Sq. Backyard for Video games 3 and 4.
New York Every day Information Archive/NY Every day Information by way of Getty Pictures
In a Could interview with NPR, Lee stated his father started taking him to Knicks video games as a baby. His father’s lawyer, who held season tickets within the Backyard’s yellow seats, gave him the chance to attend the 1970 NBA Finals.
“He stated, ‘You go to the sport.’ I used to be on the Willis Reed sport slash Walt Frazier sport, the place the Knicks received their first NBA championship,” Lee stated.
The sport left such a long-lasting impression on Lee that he made a promise to himself. “So I stated, Lord, if I ever make any cash, I simply wish to get season tickets,” he stated.
Lee went on to do precisely that. He has held New York Knicks season tickets since 1985, per ESPN. In 2024, he was acknowledged as a SuperFan by the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame.
The typical ticket for a New York Knicks sport can value wherever between $250 and $350, per Ticketmaster. As of Friday, StubHub listings for Saturday’s Recreation 5 ranged from about $1,400 to greater than $35,000.
