Basketball fuels moments that really bring out your natural side. Emotions run deep. You don’t usually let the cameras stop you from letting your reflexes take over. Well, in a high-octane Knicks vs Pistons Game 4, the die-hard Knicks fans jumped in excitement as Karl-Anthony Towns hit a triple from downtown to put the Knicks 94-93 up over Detroit with 46.6 seconds left in the game. But when the cameras panned to longtime Knicks fan Spike Lee, the fans didn’t exactly seem to be pleased with it.

The Oscar-winning director is beloved in the movie business. Movies like BlacKkKlansman and Inside Job have given him enough credit to last a lifetime. He even became the youngest person ever to receive an Honorary Academy Award at age 58, truly a “a champion of independent film and an inspiration to young filmmakers.” But if there’s anything he loves as much as filmmaking, it’s sitting courtside at the MSG, cheering on his historic team with every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears he can give them.

But Spike’s not very loved in the NBA community. His courtside antics aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. It really seemed like his reaction to KAT’s 3 from deep was the writing on the wall, though. He did seem to have the last laugh, though, as the Knicks edged out a 94-93 win in Detroit to take a 3-1 lead in the series. But the reactions from the community do feel like a wave of overwhelming emotions.

Fans are not pleased with Spike Lee, as jokes roll

About 99% of the community feel the same way- why was Spike Lee on our TV screens in the first place? Or as the fans like to say it, “Spike Lee is an embarrassment.” Or how about, “I CANNOT STAND Spike Lee.” Or maybe, “Spike Lee may be the most annoying fan ever.” All of them have the same notions. So let’s break them down. None of these would come to the surface if not for precedent. Spike’s history with courtside drama goes way back to the ’90s. Who can forget his tussle with Indiana Pacers’ sharpshooter Reggie Miller in 1994? Reggie Miller exploded for 39 points in Game 5 of the ’94 ECF. Then came his legendary choke gesture, mocking Spike Lee. Their feud inspired ESPN’s “Winning Time” film, but the Knicks had the final laugh, capturing the series in seven epic games. This confrontation set the template for Lee’s persona as both provocateur and lightning rod whenever the Knicks face elite opposition.

How he wishes this were the one and only. Let’s quickly get into the next one. Spike Lee has made himself so meme-worthy that he got NBA teams dissing him. In particular, the Indiana Pacers. Back in the 2024 playoffs, the NY’s elimination was confirmed after a 130-109 Game 7 loss to the Pacers. ESPN couldn’t help but show a discouraged Spike Lee sitting courtside, which the Pacers’ social media handle took no time in publicising.

But Spike is an Oscar-winning director, after all. Keep in mind that just 99% of fans were mentioned to be infuriated. The rest of the 1% didn’t exactly show full-fledged support for the man, but chose to make it a light-hearted scene for the rest of us. “Spike Lee Living 🤣🤣” was an amazing way to highlight the other side of the debate. Even “Spike Lee is ecstatic! Loool” summed it up perfectly. But the winner was clearly “Spike Lee was me yesterday when AG hit that game winner.” Nuggets fan alert!

Aaron Gordon hit a buzzer-beating dunk on Nikola Jokic‘s near 20-feet attempt at an alley-oop. He even confirmed after the game that it was the intended plan in the timeout right before the moment. Can you imagine Spike’s reactions if he were a Denver fan? Or better yet, can you imagine the community’s reactions to those hypothetical reactions?

Were the community’s reactions a bit too far-fetched? Maybe. But Spike Lee’s history with courtside shenanigans has settled rent-free into the minds of the opposing fans. Regardless of what it is, it’ll be hard to find a more passionate and convivial Knicks fan than the Oscar winner.