So, being the proud Brooklyn-born and Brooklyn-bred New York Knicks fan that he is, how can Spike Lee not shift his allegiance to the new Brooklyn Nets?
Well, easy, according to Lee, one of the most recognizable filmmakers in the world – and the most recognizable Knicks fan.
“I wish I had a dollar for every time people ask me that — I could finance another film,” Lee said to the New York Times. “No, no and no. Can’t do that. Can’t.”
The new Nets arena is no more than 10 minutes from where Lee was raised in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn. And still, he cannot muster whatever it takes to pull for the Nets.
“I am orange and blue, baby,” he says in of the Knicks colors. “Orange and blue.”
Not that he’s all that happy with the Knicks. Indeed, he’s concerned. But he cannot split loyalties, not matter what he thinks about the team’s current state. And he does have lots of thoughts, as he shared with the New York Times.
* On Jeremy Lin, who signed with the Houston Rockets after becoming an international figure with the Knicks last season, Lee said, “Presto! Change-o! Abracadabra, hocus-pocus, he’s gone! Orange and blue, the mecca and all the love he got here. Has he ever tried walking around Houston? (When he plays against the Knicks) he might get whacked. Not personal. Just basketball.”
* On Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, the Knicks’ stars: “Look, I hope Carmelo Anthony saw LeBron holding that championship trophy. Amar’e’s my man. But I’m tired of looking up at those old championship banners. No lollygagging, no half-stepping, no shenanigans, no tomfoolery. Got to get serious, got to.”
* On the Knicks-Nets matchup: “A craaaaazy game.”
* On the Knicks legacy in his family: “Orange and blue. My son is going to be orange and blue, and his son after him. And they are going to bury me in these colors. . . in Brooklyn.”
