When it comes to NBA fandom, celebrities are just like us—except they sit courtside, thanks to another level of financial comfort. One iconic superfan, Spike Lee, has become synonymous with the New York Knicks. As Timothée Chalamet grabs headlines for attending Knicks games, some are now wondering if he could s d Lee as the new celebrity superfan.
Recently, during a TikTok chat with First Take, Spike Lee got asked if Chalamet could follow in his footsteps as the ultimate Knicks cheerleader. Lee’s answer? Pretty much what anyone could expect:
“I got nothing but love for Timothée, but I’m not passing the baton yet. [laughs] When I exit this world, then it’s all his. Until then, they’ll have to wheel me out in a wheelchair. I’ll be right there courtside.”
Honestly, Lee’s enthusiasm doesn’t surprise me at all. This guy is a die-hard fan, still going strong at 68 years old. Fun fact: He’s held season tickets since 1985—about a decade longer than Timothée’s been alive! Sure, Chalamet has gotten some hype after being named by Pat McAfee, but to dethrone Lee as the ultimate Knicks fan? He’s got quite the uphill climb.
Sure, there are many fantastic films with Timothée to help elevate his profile, but when it comes to Knicks fandom, he’s just one of many dedicated celebs. We often see Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan at the games, and let’s not forget Mariska Hargitay getting cozy with Jalen Brunson. If Chalamet wants that number one slot, he might need to try harder amidst the celebrity competition.
But it seems like Spike isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. He even managed to turn a screening of Sinners into a Knicks fan experience, showing how serious he takes his fandom, even outside Madison Square Garden. As an NBA enthusiast myself—a Pacers fan moonlighting as a Lee admirer—I can say the Knicks will definitely feel a void when Spike decides it’s time to hang up his jersey.
That day still seems like a distant thought, especially with the Knicks looking like serious contenders for the Eastern Conference this upcoming season. With the current lineup, fans are buzzing that this could be their year—something New Yorkers haven’t cheered about since 1973. Fingers crossed they pull through, making both Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet proud!
The wait for the official NBA season kickoff isn’t until late October, so in the meantime, we have college football and cooler weather to tide us over. Once the season starts, we’ll see if Spike Lee has any changes of heart about holding onto his title!
