USA - Spike Lee enjoys action in Istanbul

ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) – When it comes to basketball, Spike Lee only associates with the best.

Remember the Michael Jordan Nike Commercials with Spike?

The famous American movie director is also often courtside whenever big games are played at Madison Square Garden.

Well, the eyes of the basketball world are currently on Istanbul for the FIBA World Championship and not surprisingly, Spike Lee has decided to come to the city where east meets west to take in the action.

His main interest, not surprisingly, is Team USA.

"I'm wondering what these young boys will do,” Lee said.

“We have a lot of important players missing but we keep winning and we are doing well right now. Also I heard that Spain and Turkey have a good team but I haven’t had a chance to see them yet."

The USA, behind the big new superstar of the NBA, Kevin Durant, won all five of their games at the Abdi Ipekci in Group B.

They will face Angola in the Eighth Finals on Monday.

This isn’t the first time that Lee has travelled to the city on the Bosphorus.

"I have been in here before and I really love Istanbul,” he said.

“I am impressed once again by this city. I will stay until Wednesday. Then I have to go back home due to my children's school starting."

One of the main attractions in Istanbul, at least this summer, is Turkey national team star Hedo Turkoglu.

The versatile forward has spent a lot of time in the NBA but loves to put on the national team jersey.

"I watched Hedo in the NBA and I think he is a really effective and good player," Lee said.

As for the coming season in the NBA, Lee is like everyone else.

He’s interested to see what kind of impact USA Olympic gold medalists LeBron James and Chris Bosh are going to have on the Miami Heat.

Both joined the Heat, where Dwyane Wade plays and has already won an NBA title, as free agents.

Lee, a fan of the Knicks, said: "I am waiting for the new NBA season. It will be really enjoyable. The Miami Heat especially is making me excited, already."
 
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