The American director Spike Lee is in Istanbul for five days to attend the 8th finals of the World Championship and support the United States. For Hoopsnotes.com, Romain Brunet was able to meet him exclusively at the end of a Team USA’s practice to talk about Team USA, the Knicks and his love for the game.

What do you think of the fact that there are so many absents for Team USA?

It’s a good thing for players who are there because, for them, it is an opportunity to show what they can do. Of course Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Stoudemire and others are not there,
but the team has to do with what is here and I am sure they will do everything to get the title.

In what place do you see them finish?

Gold. That’s what they came looking for and I think they will take the gold back.

Is international basketball something that you love to follow?

I love it. I was already in Barcelona in 1992, you know. But even if there are differences between the international basketball and the NBA, it’s still basketball. I like to follow our team. I was at the Madison Square Garden to see them play against France and now I am here in Istanbul. I know many players in the team and Coach K was nice enough to let me come to see them. I had the chance to take breakfast with them this morning.

What do you think of Kevin Durant?

Kevin is exceptional! And one might even say he is the second best player in the league. I know there may be people who think otherwise, but he was only 21 years, gave a lot of trouble to the Lakers in the playoffs and has an enormous heart. This summer, he is the real leader of this American team, he scores, he takes rebounds, he has got many responsibilities. He will have a great year next season.

And the Turkish fans, do they impress you?

Yes, they must make noise and set the fire tonight (the interview was made before the game between Turkey and France), perhaps as much as at the Madison Square Garden.

Surely even more…

(Skeptical look) Compared to last season, yes, you are surely right. But you know, there was a great atmosphere when the New York Knicks played against Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the playoffs. What is unfortunate is that with the economic crisis, fans of other countries can’t travel as much as before.

You’re a great fan of the Knicks, did they have a successfull summer in your opinion?

Yes, they are going in the right direction. We will make the playoffs this year for the first time for a long time. Stoudemire, Anthony Randolph, Turiaf… The Knicks’ fans are tired to wait for the start of the season. And I can assure you they are all circling their calendars for the coming of the Miami Heat at the Garden. (Laughs)

Is LeBron James expected to be booed?

I do not think this is the word that fits … (laughs) More seriously, it is true that I was disappointed with his decision at first, but, hey, it’s the choice he did and we should learn to respect that and move on. We’ll see if they win all the rings they said they would win.

Does the arrival of Ronny Turiaf make you happy?

Oh yes! Ronny Turiaf could well become the favorite of the public. He is a fighter who plays with his heart and gives everything he has, he will just become the new Charles Oakley. And, then, maybe we will get another French one of these days, Tony Parker. Vive la France! There is also Thierry Henry who plays for the Red Bulls. France invaded New York! (Laughs)

And the failed return of Isiah Thomas, did you follow it?

(Annoyed) Only Mr. James Dolan and Isiah Thomas know the background of this story. I read newspapers like everybody else, but we can not really trust them …

Will you stay until the end of the world championship?

No, I’m leaving Wednesday. I’m only here for the knockout stages. But I will look at the end of the competition on television in the United States.

Interview by Romain Brunet in Istanbul