Nick took the bait, and let it rip. The photo agency says the crooner grabbed the offending paparazzi by the neck and pushed him while saying into his ear, "I'm going to f**king kill you if I ever see you again!" They say video of the incident proves their side of the story.

Nick's rep interprets the scene in a very different way. He tells TMZ.com that the video clearly shows Nick walking Vanessa to their waiting car, approaching the paparazzi, shaking his hand, and placing his hands not on the guy's neck, but his shoulder. He says Nick just wanted to "make sure the photog knew that his comments directed at Vanessa were not appropriate," and added that there was no threat made and he was simply defending his woman's honor.

Ahhhh, the art of spin never ceases to amaze me. In any case, YOU decide. TMZ.com has posted the video for your viewing pleasure. Check it out...

http://www.tmz.com/2007/06/12/nick-vs-photog-stop-talking-sh-t/