HoopsHype.com Rumors

Knicks season-ticket holder Spike Lee, from his seat on celebrity row last night, acknowledged his friendship with fellow Brooklynite Carmelo Anthony and delivered his wish for the coming year. "I have just one sentence for you," Lee told The Post before the Knicks' 100-95 loss to the Trail Blazers in their home opener. "Carmelo Anthony will be with the Knicks if God is willing and the creek don't rise." An old saying meaning a goal will be achieved as outside forces do not wreak havoc, "If God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise" is also the title of Lee's latest documentary on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. New York Post

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Spike Lee 

The Knicks have risen from the dead and are back in the Carmelo Anthony hunt, thanks partly to filmmaker Spike Lee. According to a source familiar with the situation, Walsh has been motivated by information from Lee, a Knicks season-ticket-holder, that Anthony's first choice is far and away the Knicks. According to the source, Anthony has had several conversations in recent weeks with Lee, who has in turn informed Knicks brass of Anthony's feelings. "Carmelo definitely, 100 percent wants to be a Knick," the source said. New York Post

New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Spike Lee 

The Knicks lost out on LeBron James, the top free agent this summer who went to Miami, and settled for signing Amar'e Stoudemire. Lee is now hoping they can get Anthony, who could be next season's top free agent. "Great. Great. Great. Great. Great. Really great," Lee said of what Anthony would mean to the Knicks. "I just hope (they can sign him). I hope so. He'd be a great addition to the team and to the franchise. " FanHouse.com

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Carmelo Anthony, Spike Lee 

Speaking to reporters Saturday at his annual basketball camp in the Denver area, Anthony did not offer a lot of clues about his plans. Lee figures to try to influence him if Anthony hasn't made a decision by Dec. 12, Denver's one regular-season appearance next season in New York. "I know him," Lee said of Anthony, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., where Lee grew up. "We're not tight, tight. Brooklyn guys, we stick together." As for James, Lee didn't have too much to say about him. "We're over LeBron," Lee said. "He had to do what he had to do." FanHouse.com

New York Knicks, Free Agency, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Spike Lee 

It was a wedding toast heard from Broadway to Bourbon Street. During Carmelo Anthony's wedding Saturday night at Cipriani's on 42nd Street, Chris Paul, the superstar New Orleans point guard, predicted a future Knicks Dream Team. Take that, LeCon. According to a person who spoke with wedding attendee Amar'e Stoudemire, Paul made the reference during a speech of a potential union of himself, Stoudemire and Anthony, saying, "We'll form our own Big 3," Paul allegedly said. Attendee Spike Lee nearly passed out at the suggestion. New York Post

New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Spike Lee 

Filmmaker Spike Lee said he doesn't blame James for joining the Miami Heat, but said The King could have been more gracious toward Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, who said he learned of the move via a last-minute phone call from Rich Paul, one of James' associates. "LeBron should have called instead of having Rich Paul call him," Lee said on ESPN. "For me, that's the same thing as Pat Riley faxing the Knicks, 'I'm outta here.'" Because of the backlash in Ohio, Lee said, James must say "outta here" to Cleveland and Akron. "I don't know how he's going to live in Akron or Cleveland anymore," Lee said. "They're going to make his life miserable. ... Why live someplace where you're going to be hated? And the first time the Heat go to (Cleveland), they're going to need the National Guard." Palm Beach Post

Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Free Agency, LeBron James, Spike Lee 

Lee said James, who turned down Knicks overtures, should not expect any warmer welcome in Madison Square Garden, either. "He's going to get it worse than Reggie Miller," Lee said. While many figure the Heat to be a favorite for the NBA title, Lee's not. "I'm not giving 'em zero (titles) until I see who else they have," Lee said. "They've got three guys now. They're not better than Chicago. I don't think they're better than Boston, either." The way it played out doesn't surprise Lee. "I cannot blame LeBron for doing what makes him happy," Lee said. "He left a lot of money on the table, but this thing was rigged from way back. Palm Beach Post

Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Free Agency, LeBron James, Spike Lee 

Knicks President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh, who thanked Isiah Thomas and Spike Lee for their help, called Stoudemire "somebody you can base your team around." He averaged 23.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in Phoenix under Mike D'Antoni, who is now his Knicks coach. "I know one thing about Amar'e is that if there is a challenge in front of him, he will do whatever it takes to get over that hurdle," D'Antoni said. "He has proven that with injuries and time and time again in Phoenix. We won a lot of games together and hopefully we'll be successful here. I do know that New York probably is not for everybody. It's a big stage. You have to show some guts and grit and you've got to come every day to work and Amar'e will do that. I'm sure we'll have other guys that follow him here. We'll see who steps up to the challenge but I know Amar'e will meet it." Arizona Republic

New York Knicks, Amare Stoudemire, Mike D'Antoni, Isiah Thomas, Donnie Walsh, Spike Lee 

When Spike Lee isn’t talking, you know the Knicks must be convinced they are still playing in the high-stakes game of free agent poker for LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, with the growing hope they are holding a winning hand. Reached on the telephone Tuesday, Lee sounded more like a cautious insider not wanting to jinx something good about to happen more than the normally loquacious director who for decades has enjoyed communing with reporters. “I can’t talk until all the signings are done,” he said. Asked if that meant more signings are imminent after Amar’e Stoudemire agreed with the Knicks on a five-year contract worth just under $100 million, Lee repeated himself. “Can’t talk until it’s all done,” he said. New York Times

New York Knicks, Free Agency, LeBron James, Spike Lee