Spike Lee and Jack Nicholson to be inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame Newslooks Washington, D.C. Mary Siddiqi Evening Edition Spike Lee, Jack Nicholson, Billy Crystal and Alan Horwitz will be honored this weekend as the newest members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s James F. Goldstein Super Fan Gallery. The honor recognizes their love of basketball, including Lee’s devotion to the Knicks and Nicholson’s iconic performances in Lakers games. These celebrities are more than just courtside fixtures—they’ve become beloved figures in the basketball world.
Basketball superfans Spike Lee and Jack Nicholson inducted into Hall of Fame quick facts:
- Spike Lee, Jack Nicholson, Billy Crystal and Alan Horwitz will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Super Fans Gallery.
- The Super Fan Gallery honors individuals for their passion, knowledge and dedication to the sport.
- Spike Lee cited Jack Nicholson as an inspiration for his on-court performances and recalled Nicholson’s famed Lakers fan status.
- Nicholson’s attendance at Lakers games made him an iconic part of NBA culture, even though he no longer regularly attends games.
- The induction ceremony will take place prior to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s main ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts.
A closer look:
Back in the 1980s and 1990s, when the Los Angeles Lakers dominated the NBA and dazzled fans with their “Showtime” basketball, one of the most recognizable figures in the main building wasn’t on the court, but sitting there side. Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson is as much a part of Lakers culture as the Lakers. Wearing sunglasses and often sitting next to the visiting team’s bench, Nicholson’s love for the game has made him the ultimate symbol for NBA fans. This weekend, he will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s James F. Goldstein Super Fan Gallery, joining fellow entertainment icons Spike Lee, Billy Crystal and businessman Aaron Horwitz Selected.
For Spike Lee, who will also be inducted into the gallery of superfans, Nicholson was a huge influence. “Growing up, the person I admired most was Jack Nicholson,” Lee recalled. “As I sat in the blue seats in the Garden, I said, ‘Hopefully one day I can sit on the sidelines like my old friend Jack Nicholson.'”
Lee has clearly achieved this goal. He has been a fixture at Madison Square Garden for decades, sitting in the front row and cheering on his beloved New York Knicks. His loyalty to the Knicks dates back to the 1980s and 1995s, when the team drafted Patrick Ewing. Lee’s courtside antics, including angering Reggie Miller during the 2016 NBA playoffs, made him one of Knicks legends. His induction into the Hall of Fame represents not only his love for the game, but also his connection with players and fans.
Longtime Los Angeles Clippers fan Billy Crystal will also join the superfan gallery. While the Clippers have historically struggled — especially compared to their rivals, the Lakers — Crystal has remained a loyal supporter of the team. His ties to the team date back to their days in San Diego, and he has been with the team throughout the years of their rebuild. “He suffered too,” joked Spike Lee, noting that it must have been difficult for Crystal to root for the Clippers during the “Magic, O’Neal and Kobe” era of the Lakers.
The fourth inductee, Alan Horwitz, is known for his staunch support of the Philadelphia 76ers. His passion for the game and loyalty to the Sixers has earned him a reputation as one of the NBA’s most loyal fans. The four inductees will join an elite group of superfans who have made significant contributions to basketball culture through their unwavering dedication.
Super Fan Gallery: Celebrating Passion for the Game
The James F. Goldstein Super Fan Gallery was established in 2018 to recognize individuals who have become outstanding figures in non-basketball circles. Named for famed NBA fan James Goldstein, who attended approximately 100 games a year, the gallery honors superfans for their knowledge of the game, love of basketball and involvement in basketball history. In addition to Goldstein, the gallery also includes actress Penny Marshall and Toronto Raptors’ most loyal supporter Nav Bhatia.
While these superfans are often celebrities, they are just like the fans who sit in the upper bleachers of various arenas around the league—they live and breathe basketball. As Billy Crystal said, “I just speak for all the true fans of the game that we love.” Crystal is a Clippers season ticket holder who embodies the kind of loyalty that the Super Fan Gallery is trying to recognize and enthusiasm.
Spike Lee’s deep connection with the NBA extends beyond the court. Over the years, Lee developed strong relationships with players, often incorporating basketball into his filmmaking career. He has collaborated with NBA legends such as Michael Jordan in Nike commercials and Ray Allen in movies he has gamefurther cementing his connection to the sport. He recalled how many NBA players from visiting teams went out of their way to say hello to him when they arrived at Madison Square Garden. “They greeted me, gave me a hug — and these were the opposing teams,” Lee said with a laugh.
Now 87, Jack Nicholson no longer attends Lakers games regularly, but he remains one of the most iconic fans in NBA history. His performance on the sidelines during the Lakers’ many championships was legendary. Nicholson would even rearrange his shooting schedule and personal plans to ensure he didn’t miss the Lakers’ key games, donning his trademark sunglasses and sit next to the visiting team’s bench. His most memorable moment may have been Game 4 of the 2004 NBA Finals, when the Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics by 2,008 points. Celtics coach Doc Rivers recalled Nicholson telling him, with his trademark candor, “We were like the walking dead,” and the Celtics fought back to win.
Although Nicholson only attended the games infrequently, his influence is enduring and he will be remembered at this weekend’s awards ceremony. Nicholson is not expected to attend the induction ceremony in person, but his place in NBA history has been cemented.
Spike Lee’s Basketball Journey
For Spike Lee, basketball was his lifelong passion. His love for the Knicks began in 1970 when, at age 13, he witnessed one of the most iconic moments in NBA history as Willis Reed limped onto the court to watch the NBA president Game 7 of the finals against the Lakers. Despite Reid’s injury, the Knicks won their first championship, and Lee was impressed by the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden. “It was the loudest sound I’ve ever heard in my life,” he said.
Lee has seen the Knicks’ ups and downs since becoming a season-ticket holder. Although the team had not won a championship since 1973, Lee’s support never wavered. He’s experienced the highs of the Patrick Ewing era and the lows of recent seasons. Now, Lee can be seen wearing a Jalen Brunson jersey, demonstrating his continued optimism for the team’s future.
in conclusion
Spike Lee, Jack Nicholson, Billy Crystal and Alan Horwitz represent the best of NBA fans. Their passion, loyalty and dedication to their team earned them a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame. As Lee said of his upcoming induction into the Hall of Fame: “Who would have thought?”
More about sports
