This current Lebron stuff, which I agree has a lot to do with deflecting the ridiculous buzz of his return to Cleveland, will go unnoticed on this blog. And don’t for a second think that Lebron isn’t thinking about coming to New York later in his career should he win in Miami.

Many people have already gone on record saying they couldn’t believe he didn’t choose NY. The fact is he didn’t. At the time, from strictly a basketball perspective, I had no idea how he and Wade would fit. He would be facing the same challenges with D Rose in Chicago by the way. Bosh isn’t a physical player, and like an offensive line in football, size and depth up front is a necessity to win in the East. Frankly, it’s the Knicks biggest weakness- especially when Turiaf is hurt and despite the block shots.

So you won’t hear any opinions from me on the Lebron stuff. This is under Pat Riley’s watch and I get the funny feeling that he isn’t crying in his hair gel over his tortured young disciple. Fair or not, that’s an easy perception to make following a career of sketchy and slimy moves.

They’ll get it together, they have too much talent not to. And you sleep in the bed you make, which is to say they are locked in to what they have. If I were the coach I would have Lebron or Wade on the floor for long stretches, not both then give the ball to the player who had the better game down the stretch.

No one cares in Miami. It’s the worst sports town anywhere. I lived down there for a few winters. The Dolphins, who pose as a great, traditional, football franchise couldn’t sell out a playoff game against the Patriots (for crying out loud) forcing us who wanted to bet on the game to have to watch it in a pitch black bar south of West Palm Beach with the shades drawn and the door locked.

And Lebron pulled strings to get his beatwriter from Cleveland down there via ESPN, again, for crying out loud.

But who cares?

Here, we care about the Knicks, not players who didn’t have the guts to play here.

The days leading up to the “Decision” were very hectic, and multiple sources who I’ve talked to over the past few weeks have filled me in on just how close James came to playing for the Knicks. In fact, his people, most notably Maverick Carter, were pushing New York tremendously contrary to pretty much every report that was made throughout the process. Ultimately, a source tells me, Lebron decided against the advice of his team and “decided to play with his friends.”

“Lebron’s team realized that NY was the fit and they were pushing him hard there. James had basically decided and contacted Amar’e Stoudemire to tell him to get ready,” the source said. “In the end, Lebron  went over the heads of his team and chose Miami.”

On the Saturday before, we reported that the Knicks’ had a third meeting with Lebron’s people in Ohio. Two of the three were reported elsewhere, the third was immediately refuted. That meeting that including Scott O’Neil and Glen Grunwald was to iron out the numbers and finalize a deal to NY. When the Knicks finalized a deal for Amar’e Stoudemire Monday they had their first max player set, setting the stage to add another in James who seemed excited at the notion.

“I’m telling you that Amar’e swore Lebron would be a Knick 48 hours before the decision,” another source added.

To take it a step further, a source with close ties to Madison Square Garden told me a week after the decision that “employees were informed that Lebron was going to be at MSG Wednesday (July 7th) in the afternoon” and to “keep their mouths shut.”

Lebron never showed.

Moreover, a real estate agent who contacted TKB, said that James was very much interested in a posh pad in lower Manhattan but took his name out of consideration only to re-contact and restart negotiations on Tuesday.

While I could never confirm a meeting with the Knicks, TKB reported both Carter and Randy Mims were in town on Wednesday and that’s when all the steam of Lebron deciding on NY came to a head. Newsday reported first that Greenwich, CT was going to be the location for the announcement. It was also the same day that Jared Dudley and Chad Ocho Cinco went live that James was going to NY. Dudley and Stoudemire were friends and teammates in Phoenix. James was in town for Carmelo Anthony’s wedding, we were told, but after choosing Miami, he flew to South Beach and then heading back north after he, Wade and Chris Bosh were introduced. To this day Greenwich, CT still doesn’t make a shred of sense to be the location for a decision. Yes, the charity that received a very generous donation from the ad proceeds was the Boys and Girls Club, but the organization was founded in Hartford, CT, and it’s national headquarters, at one point, was in Atlanta. If Lebron were in town for Melo’s wedding, why not make the decision in Miami and fly to NY on Friday, which he ultimately ended up doing? Why not hold the announcement at ESPN in Bristol, or at the Hartford location?

Why Greenwich?

What happened on Wednesday that caused all the momentum of New York to shift to Miami?

I never thought that James and Chris Bosh were a tandem, but I was wrong. Bosh was always the X-Factor, I’m told, ultimately in James’ decision for this reason. Bosh had already committed to Miami to play with Wade weeks before, but wasn’t interested in taking less than a max contract thus eliminating the possibility of a “Big 3.” He didn’t feel as if leaving money on the table was in his best interest because he couldn’t make up the difference in Miami in endorsements.  But during the day Wednesday when all the focus shifted to New York, Bosh understood he was the hold up and that James would choose Miami if all three took pay cuts.  They realized that Pat Riley was the key to them winning multiple titles. He agreed and that’s when word started to spread that Miami was, indeed, the destination. James was in.

Lebron’s team tried to change his mind at the last minute all day Thursday, pleading with him about legacy and how Miami wouldn’t be a better fit than New York, but in the end James felt the need to chase titles with his friends.

But, as we’ve told you here throughout the whole process, New York was very much in play up until Wednesday, regardless of what the national media led you to believe.

RicBucher

Ric Bucher

@RicBucher: Never tweeted LeBron was in Mia. A source said he was. Passed it on to the mothership. Made a 2nd call, told he was in Akron. Killed report.

Jul 8, 2010 @ 05:03 AM from web

Now let’s sit back and wait for 9:00pm, when we’ll hear it directly from LeBron …

Whenever there is a vacuum of information, rumors begin to surface. When it was reported that LeBron James would be waiting until the conclusion of his Akron basketball camp on Wednesday to make his decision, it gave the basketball world several days to churn out different scenarios and rumors and nobody seemed to be on the same page.

But in the last twenty-four hours, there have been lot of rumblings indicating that James could be leaning towards New York and reviving the Knicks with Amar’e Stoudemire.

Several sources indicated that James’ advisors Maverick Carter and Randy Mims could be travelling to New York on Wednesday and sources have hinted that James will be joining them for the trip. Sources also said that Carter and Mims have been picking the Knicks’ brains for details and information on their salary cap and free agent plans over the past few days.

Trying to confirm and again have been unsuccessful. But we’ve noted several times now that Maverick Carter will be in NY Wednesday. If the report is true, it would appear we could know why.

Stay tuned.

But when has this not been the case? It hasn’t been the case because  it was reported earlier that Bosh to Miami was a “done deal.” In this game there is no such thing.

Ultimately, it comes down to this. If Bosh wants major money he has to accept a sign and trade. In order for him to go to Cleveland, there has to be a salary match, meaning the Cavs strip themselves of players on their roster. Are the Raptors really pumped about a Jamison/Mo Williams situation for example? Maybe if Isiah Thomas were running them (sorry Zeke)…but logically I can’t see that. Do the Raptors want Michael Beasley? Not from what I’m gathering.

What about the Nets? Interesting. They are a possibility. Can Bosh and Lebron end up in Newark? Again, that’s a big wild card still in play.

Chicago? Well, if the Heat strike out with a big can Wade stay in South Beach?

Again, with Amar’e out of the mix, the market on bigs now has a brighter spotlight. It’s Bosh’s move…as it’s always seemed to be.

Also, for a great article on the Amar’e/Bosh debate, head to CBSsportsline…

PDcavsinsider

Brian Windhorst

@PDcavsinsider: Also, can confirm several reports of a rift between Wes Wesley & James camp. Wes was indeed pushing Chicago, I'm told.

Jul 6, 2010 @ 03:12 AM from TweetDeck

The idea that Wes has been boxed out of the inner circle is something that has been talked about for the last week or so. People I’ve spoken to have said similar things about Wes pushing Chicago. I’ve talked to another person who said that Maverick Carter will be in town Wednesday. I can’t say for sure if it’s for personal reasons, or for a meeting with either the Knicks or Nets…will keep digging.

The key to this whole thing as been the decision of Chris Bosh. Do the Cavs have what it takes to deal with Toronto? Does Bosh get paid and head for Ohio? Or does he head to South Beach with Wade? Does he join Wade in Chicago?

The best move for both he and Toronto would be a sign and trade to Houston. Bosh is from Dallas and he’s made it clear in NY that he’s a kid from the South. It seems all signs i’m getting indicate that the Bosh/Wade team in South Beach is far from a given.

Where does that leave NJ? Would Bosh consider teaming with James in NJ for less than the max?

Again, all these questions have answers. And things will start to unravel once Chris Bosh makes his decision.

The great free-agent class of 2010 turned out to be a two-man class, and Amare Stoudemire does not have a desk in that room. He is not LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, and no, he is not a true max-out player or $100 million asset, either.

But you do know what Amare Stoudemire is, right?

A hell of a catch for the New York Knicks.

In fact, if Stoudemire can persuade James or Wade to join him, he will represent the smartest signing the Knicks have ever made.

First domino has fallen.  Maybe Amar’e can send LeBron a NYK cap to wear during the Nike camp in Akron.

More from Ian O’Connor (via Twitter) –

Ian_OConnor

Ian O'Connor

@Ian_OConnor: #Knicks hope this becomes Escape to New York deal w/ DWade & #LeBron racing each other to Garden w/ both afraid of being stuck alone

Jul 6, 2010 @ 03:38 AM from web

George Steinbrenner turns 80 Sunday, coincidentally at the same time LeBron James is about to make up his mind which city he’s going to anoint with his world-class basketball talents. And even though The Boss’ roar and bombast have been muted by steadily advancing dementia, this July 4 confluence of events got me thinking about what might have been had Steinbrenner gone through with that deal to sell the Yankees to Cablevision back in 1997 – in which he was to remain general partner of the Bombers and also oversee all operations of the Knicks and Rangers.

Imagine if Steinbrenner – the old George, that is – was the one pursuing LeBron for the Knicks?

I almost forgot that George started out in Cleveland.  Maybe that should tell LeBron something.

Best wishes go out to the Boss and the Steinbrenner family.

But being King in NY is something completely different.  Ask Clyde. Ask Willis. Ask Mark Messier.