Because they apparently don’t have enough problems, the Knicks have managed to antagonize their biggest celebrity fan and most enthusiastic brand ambassador.
Spike Lee says he is “being harassed” by team owner James Dolan after video surfaced of the famed movie director loudly arguing with Madison Square Garden’s security staff Monday night.
Lee ended up in his familiar courtside perch, cheering on New York’s dramatic 125-123 win against the visiting Houston Rockets, but says he won’t be back at MSG until next season.
Per ESPN:
“I’m coming back next year, but I’m done for the season,” Lee said. “I’m done.”
Lee’s comments come a day after he and the Knicks had a disagreement over which entrance the award-winning screenwriter and director could use. A video circulated online showing Lee yelling at Garden security outside an elevator, leading some to say he was thrown out of the arena. But a Knicks spokesman said that was untrue and that it was simply an issue of Lee using the wrong entrance.
Lee and Knicks owner James Dolan could be seen shaking hands and smiling at halftime, and Lee was in his sideline seat for the second half.
Lee classified the Knicks’ version of events as “spin” and said that he’s being “harassed by James Dolan. I don’t know why.”
UPDATE: In their infinite wisdom, New York’s braintrust doused fuel on this public relations fiasco by calling Lee’s claims “laughable.”
Spike responded by telling a reporter the team set him up.
This could only ever happen to the Knicks.
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