MIAMI — Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. who tweeted derogatory things about Jeremy Lin saying the Knicks point guard was getting all of the attention solely because he was Chinese-American, and Spike Lee were seen chatting courtside for an extended time last night.
“Jeremy Lin is a good player, but all the hype is because he’s Asian,” the WBC welterweight champion tweeted earlier this month. “Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise.’’
Lee immediately took to Twitter to respond to Mayweather’s comments and defend Lin.
“Floyd Mayweather I Hope You Watched Jeremy Hit The Gamewinning 3 Pointer With .005 Seconds Left.Our Guy Can BALL PLAIN AND SIMPLE.RECOGNIZE.”
After last night’s chat, it appeared Lee and Mayweather had made peace.
“Floyd Mayweather And I Had A Great Conversation Courtside,” Lee tweeted after the game. “We’re MAD COOL.ALL LOVE.2 Brotha’s.YA-DIG.’’
* Carmelo Anthony may have made a Freudian slip or just forgot about the revised lockout schedule.
Anthony said he can’t wait to face the Heat the next two times at Madison Square Garden. Actually the lockout wiped out one of those meetings and Miami will visit MSG once, on April 15.
There is always that chance the Heat will be in New York City again later in the spring, in the Eastern Conference playoffs. That is when the Knicks, who lost to the Heat 102-88 last night, are expected to be jelling with their new pieces and deeper bench.
“I’m looking forward to playing Miami, two more times in the Garden,’’ Anthony said after the loss. “I’m looking forward to that.’’
* Lin and Landry Fields will play in tonight’s Rising Stars Challenge in Orlando to kick off All-Star Weekend. … Knicks owner James Dolan sat in the fifth row. … Former Knicks president Isiah Thomas attended the previous meeting against Miami but not last night’s because his FIU team played host to Troy.
* Coach Mike D’Antoni said rookie forward Josh Harrellson will get tests Sunday to see if he’s cleared to return for Wednesday’s game versus Cleveland.