NEW YORK _ Welcome to the Knicks, Leon Rose. This is what you're dealing with.
To be fair, Rose should've known about the operating procedures at MSG, having represented Carmelo Anthony for all the years of dysfunction and sideshows. It's not a normal NBA franchise. Eventually, it crushes all that is promising. And no matter what is woven into PR-crafted letters to season ticket holders, there's really only one goal at the Madison Square Garden Company: protect James Dolan and bend to his illogic.
That's it.
It's why Steve Mills was allowed to lose one billion games as an executive but couldn't survive the fans chanting "Sell the Team." It's why Marv Albert isn't invited to the 50th anniversary celebration of the 1970 championship, and why Charles Oakley was dragged out of the arena in handcuffs.
It's why the Knicks, despite all that seems rational and competent about brand building, are at war against Spike Lee.
"I'm being harassed by James Dolan," Lee said Tuesday on ESPN's "First Take." "I don't know why."
Here's what set off the latest embarrassing chain of events:
Lee arrived for Monday night's game against the Rockets through the employee entrance. The franchise's most prominent fan has always used that entrance, but said he was told by security he needed to leave the arena and go another way. An argument ensued and Lee shouted, among other things, "If you want to arrest me like Oakley, go ahead. ... " It was caught on camera and turned viral. Lee said he was escorted to another floor before taking his seat and watching the Knicks beat the Rockets, 125-123.
Lee claimed he was ready to drop the whole incident. But then he caught wind of the Knicks' version of the events through the media _ specifically that Dolan resolved the issue by speaking with Lee at halftime _ and called ESPN.
"This is Garden spin," Lee said.
So what happened with the owner at halftime?
"Dolan comes up to me, I said, 'Mr. Dolan, I don't want to talk about nothing. I've been coming through this entrance for 20 years,'" Lee said. "He said we have to talk. I said, 'Talk about what?' I have been coming here for 20 years? Why was I not notified (that I couldn't)?.'
"He says, 'Now you know.'"
Lee took umbrage with the story that he shook hands with Dolan at halftime. His interview prompted a biting statement Tuesday afternoon from the Knicks, along with a photo of Lee shaking hands with Dolan on the court:
"The idea that Spike Lee is a victim because we have repeatedly asked him to not use our employee entrance and instead use a dedicated VIP entrance _ which is used by every other celebrity who enters The Garden _ is laughable," the statement read. "It's disappointing that Spike would create this false controversy to perpetuate drama. He is welcome to come to The Garden anytime via the VIP or general entrance; just not through our employee entrance, which is what he and Jim agreed to last night when they shook hands."
It's hard to believe Lee is making ALL this up. What would be his purpose? To sabotage his beloved team? The Knicks, on the other hand, have a long history of spinning tales to suit their narrative. (A Knicks spokesman once told me that Joakim Noah, a noted pacifist, wasn't wearing the team-issued 'Military Appreciation Day' socks because they didn't have his size).
But let's say Lee was out of line Monday night and unnecessarily turned combative with security. It's certainly possible. Rich celebrities have a tendency of acting entitled.
With that being said, Lee is not the average fan _ not even the average celebrity fan _ after 20-plus years as a season-ticket holder and serving as the franchise's unofficial spokesman (Lee estimated spending $300,000 on tickets this season). If Spike Lee's not feeling respected at Madison Square Garden, there's an image problem.
"This doesn't happen to Jack Nicholson (in L.A.)," Lee said. "This doesn't happen to Drake (in Toronto)."
No matter the circumstances, a back-and-forth with Lee, the most accomplished of all African-American filmmakers, is a nonsensical battle for the Knicks. Whereas Monday there was goodwill due to Rose's first official game being an upset victory over the Rockets, Tuesday became a reminder on national TV that the Knicks are a train-wreck and James Dolan is the owner.
"In my heart I'm still the kid that was sneaking in the Garden. I love the Knicks," Lee said. "It's a shame. You look up and see the banner from 72-73. That's the last time we had a banner. Am I going to die before we get another banner? Is my son going to die before we get another banner?"
