PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Brunson heard "MVP!" chants each time the New York Knicks All-Star stepped to the free-throw line. The former Villanova All-American signed dozens of autographs before the game — many for fans wearing his old college jersey.
Spike Lee wore Brunson's Knicks gear from his baseline seat and the filmmaker was as animated as he would have been while sitting in his familiar spot at Madison Square Garden.
But this was in Philly — even though cheers for the Knicks and their team colors inside the arena made it seem like a stand-in for Madison Square Garden.