Spike Lee, a devoted Knicks superfan, relived his memorable courtside clashes with NBA legends Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller during an appearance at the Montclair Film Festival in New Jersey. Known for his passionate support of the Knicks, Lee reflected on his vibrant interactions with players at Madison Square Garden, which he affectionately referred to as the “world’s most famous arena.”
Memorable Encounters with Michael Jordan
During his discussion, Lee reminisced about the iconic “double nickel” game in 1995, when Michael Jordan scored an incredible 55 points against the Knicks. Lee humorously recalled how competitive the atmosphere would get during Bulls games. “Anytime the Bulls would come, me and Mike would get into it,” he noted, laughing at one particular moment when Jordan told him, “Sit your skinny black ass down!”
Reggie Miller and the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals
Lee also revisited the intense rivalry with the Indiana Pacers. He described the aftermath of a significant loss in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, where Reggie Miller famously taunted the Knicks by making a choking gesture at Madison Square Garden. Lee expressed his concern over the potential backlash from the media if the Knicks had lost in that series.
- 1994: Reggie Miller’s infamous choke sign at MSG.
- Critical moments in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals.
- Lee feared being blamed by New York media for a Knicks loss.
Reflections on Filmmaking
Shifting the conversation to his filmmaking career, Lee discussed his experiences working with Denzel Washington. He shared a surprising moment from the film “Highest 2 Lowest,” where Washington spontaneously rapped lyrics from Nas’ “Illmatic” alongside A$AP Rocky. Lee’s admiration for Washington was evident, as he humorously recounted his internal struggle to maintain composure during such an unexpected performance.
A Lighthearted Banter with Stephen Colbert
The event, hosted by Stephen Colbert, was filled with laughter and camaraderie. Colbert playfully suggested that he would be available for more discussions in June, following the unexpected cancellation of his CBS show. This light-hearted exchange added a cheerful tone to the conversation about Lee’s storied basketball experiences and cinematic achievements.
