As Donnie Walsh cleared in two hours, what Isiah couldn't in five seasons, the speculation began:
Will LeBron James be wearing orange and blue instead of the burgundy and navy come the beginning of the 2010-2011 season?
From photo shops of LeBron in a Knicks “23” uniform, to the billboards on 7th Avenue with his likeness, the dislike for New York across the country, especially in Cleveland, will only intensify over the next two seasons.
But many factors have to be taken into consideration before we even talk about the “King of Cleveland” becoming the “King of NY.”
If LeBron wins a title in Cleveland, many will argue that his work will be done in his home state delivering its only world title since 1964. The LeBron/NY frenzy has also made numerous journalists forget that the Cavaliers can offer LeBron close to $25 million more than the Knicks can due to the Larry Bird exception.
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In addition, they will also have a similar amount of cap room available as Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao will be the only players on the books. But, what Cleveland can't offer LeBron is celebrity row, the No. 1 city in the world, Madison Avenue, and Madison Square Garden.
But before even talking LeBron, the focus should be on the player who is the most likely signing in NY: Steve Nash.
The Canadian could be the dessert to the main course of either LeBron, Bosh, Wade, or Amare. Every summer, Nash makes his home in NY city in Battery Park and has had the best years of his career under the free-wheeling D'Antoni system. He may have not delivered a title to the land of the Sun, but he stands right there with Barkley, KJ, and Chambers as one of the top players in Suns history so there's not much left to accomplish.
For Nash, it won't be a money issue, because he will be two years older and on the down-side of his career. It will mostly be about bringing a title to a franchise that last won one when Phil Jackson was part of the '72 title team.
So New York, thank Donnie Walsh for probably delivering Steve Nash to you already, but hold off on LeBron. You'll have to wait and see if the King likes his current palace or wants to move into the one everyone dreams of playing in on 34th and 7th.
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about 1 month ago
I couldn't disagree with you more. What's your next article going to be about? How about "Forget Angelina Jolie-What You Really Want is Rosie O'Donnell"
If LeBron is Plan A, I'm guessing Nash is probably Plan G.
from about 1 month ago
All i'm saying is that Nash is a more realistic signing because they have the money, he's familiar with D'Antoni, and lives in NY in the summer.
from about 1 month ago
He's also from Canada and has mentioned playing for the Raptors before retiring. His family has lived in Phoenix since he first played for them in 1996. At 36 he shouldn't cost anyone more than the mid-level exemption. There's no reason the Knicks should choose between one or the other when they easily have the money to sign them both. And another star. Stoudemire maybe?
from about 1 month ago
Stoudemire to me would make enormous sense because he's still young and when Duncan and all these other PF's are gone, he will be the best power forward by such a huge margin in the league that he will be even more unstoppable than before. Agree with you there Andrew.
about 1 month ago
Not completely unreasonable- Nash would still be good at his age.
But with all this hype around LeBron going to NY,
It might just be a deed worth condemning to hell if it doesnt happen
about 1 month ago
Totally unreasonable. Nash will probably retire in two years. 36 for a point guard is OLD. Sure, he'll probably still be in good shape and will retain most of his skills, but his defense will be completely non-existent. It's just not plausible.
about 1 month ago
I think its non exisistant now. He just doesn't strike me as a guy that's going to retire at 36. In addition, just like he's doing with Shaq, Porter is monitoring Nash's minutes too. That will always help a player's career be extended. I expect the Knicks to get at least a big man if they can't get a LeBron and pair him with Nash. Being in NY will allow Nash to be closer to both of his off-season homes, Canada and NY, and play in a system he was highly successful in. But, who knows. Thanks for the comment A-TRAIN.
about 1 month ago
Nash will go to New York to reunite himself with Mike D'Antoni. The Knciks will still be a horrible defenive team if Nash comes. At 36 80 percent of the point guards in the league will be better than Nash, not Nash being better than 80 percent of the point guards. Nash isn't even better than 80 percent of the point guards now.
I'll be a horrible signing by the Knicks, but it's going to happen. The Knicks will also be more likely to sign Stoudemire if Nash goes to New York. It'll be a reunion of the coach who doens't believe in defense and the two players who rarely play it.
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