Filmmaker and New York Knicks superfan Spike Lee took to social media on Tuesday to explain his outfit choices during this past weekend’s NBA All-Star Game festivities.
Lee wore a pro-Palestinian outfit as he sat courtside Sunday at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. His sweater carried a keffiyeh pattern and the strap of his bag had the Palestinian flag on it. Meanwhile, Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, the first Israeli-born player in NBA All-Star history, took the floor as a starter for Team World in his All-Star debut.
In an Instagram post, Lee offered “much respect” to Avdija and said no offense was intended.
“There has been some conjecture about what I wore to the games on Saturday and Sunday. The clothes I wore are symbols of my concern for the Palestinian children and civilians, and my utmost belief in human dignity for all humankind,” Lee wrote. “What I wore was not intended as a gesture of hostility to Jewish people or to support violence against anyone, nor was it intended as a comment on the significance of Deni being an All-Star.”
Lee added that he had not been aware of Avdija’s nationality beforehand.
“There were 28 NBA players chosen to be in LA this weekend,” Lee wrote. “I didn’t know them all and Deni playing for the Portland Trailblazers, a West Coast team, I didn’t know Deni as the first Israeli born NBA All-Star. He can BALL. NOW I DO KNOW.
“LIVE AND LEARN. ONWARD AND UPWARD. PEACE AND LOVE. YA-DIG? SHO-NUFF.”