From witnessing the NY Knicks win their first-ever championship to a dry spell of decades, Spike Lee has been cheering for the franchise through thick and thin. His courtside presence and unwavering loyalty have made him so synonymous with the team that one doubts there will ever be a celebrity fan who loves the game and the Knicks as much as Lee. Well, Timothée Chalamet has been gaining some high attention as a modern-day fan of the franchise. His growing presence at games and genuine enthusiasm are always visible. And his passion for the team? Strong enough to make Amar’e Stoudemire make a bold prediction for Chalamet.

Chalamet’s courtside energy recently hit a fever pitch during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Celtics. Sitting alongside girlfriend Kylie Jenner and her sister Kendall Jenner, the Oscar-winning actor didn’t hold back. As the Knicks delivered a big-time 121-113 win to take a 3-1 series lead, Chalamet was all in—leaping, pacing, and even dropping to one knee with a fist pump. And trust us, it was a moment that didn’t escape Amar’e Stoudemire.

Appearing on TMZ Sports, the 6x NBA All-Star was asked about his experience with Knicks fans. His response? Pure love. “The Knicks fans are loyal fans and they know when you’re loyal to them, so they seen my loyalty as a player when I played for New York and what I stood for as a player and my heart was given to uh the city of New York and the state of New York for that matter” he shared, reflecting on the mutual respect he felt during his playing days in New York. Then came a nostalgic twist—remember that viral pic of a young Chalamet, barely a teenager, getting Stoudemire’s autograph? That moment came full circle when the two reunited during Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. And for Amar’e Stoudemire, it was surreal.

“That was awesome, man. I mean, that’s when I first signed with the Knicks. I was a producer of the Broadway show called the Rock of Ages, and I was leaving out of that show, and I met young Timothy then. And then to see him now, as a successful actor, as he’s doing with his beautiful career, it’s great to see that full circle moment.” Now, it turns out, the admiration goes both ways.

Not only is Chalamet a genuine fan of Amar’e Stoudemire, but the former NBA star is also impressed with Chalamet’s rise—and his Knicks devotion. So much so that Stoudemire made a bold comparison that Knicks fans won’t take lightly. “He’s like the next Spike Lee when it comes to like, Knicks die hard fans… And we appreciate that because as players we play our hearts out, we give the game everything, and then see fans who really appreciate that goes a long way. So yeah, he’s the next one in line for sure. Best celebrity fans in basketball.”

And when you consider that Spike Lee earned a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame’s SuperFan Gallery, you know that’s not just any compliment—it’s a legendary one. As for Lee, his love for the franchise, even after all these years, stands at an apex level. So much so, he has declared a championship in the cards, basing his belief on a particular development.

What makes Spike Lee think that the Knicks will have a winning season in 2025

Only in New York could a filmmaker, a basketball team, and a newly elected pope be part of the same championship prophecy—but here we are. Knicks superfan and iconic director Spike Lee has made a bold call: the Knicks are headed for NBA glory this season. And surprisingly, he says the inspiration came from none other than Pope Leo XIV.

Now, you might raise an eyebrow. The Pope is from Chicago and bleeds Cubs blue, right? True. But there’s more to the story than hometown pride. He graduated from Villanova University back in 1977. That detail is giving Knicks fans a big reason to believe, considering stars like Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart also emerged from the same college legacy.

If you’ve ever watched a Knicks game at MSG, you know Spike Lee’s courtside energy is legendary. On Instagram, he praised both the pontiff and the team, hinting that this moment might just be divine intervention. “What a holy blessing. The Knickerbockers are gonna win the 2024-25 NBA world championship. It is divinity. God Bless.” It’s clear there is no matching the optimism that Lee has for his favorite NBA team. Timothée Chalamet? Well, he has a long way to go before coming anywhere near Spike’s legacy as a fan.