Just another game here at the Garden… Well other than the packed house, row after row of celebrities (Chris Rock, John Legend, Bernie Williams, Spike Lee, Jay-Z, and about 90% of the Yankees 25-man roster) and actual energy and excitement in the building. Used to be that this palpable excitement was a stable of Madison Square Garden on nights when the Knicks took the floor. However, nowadays the Garden only really buzzes when a visiting dignitary is visiting. And tonight King James comes to town. Unfortunately, the Cavs only play in New York once this season (something LeBron bemoaned during his pregame chat with reporters.)
During Coach Mike D'Antoni's pregame press conference, he was, as usual, quick to deflect any questions about the looming Summer of 2010, and the specter of LeBron's free agency. D'Antoni is intent on trying to get his team to focus on here and now. Unfortunately, with the Knicks 1-4, coming off an embarrassing loss to the lowly and undermanned Indiana Pacers, New Yorkers are solely focused on the light at the end of the tunnel, as opposed to the darkness that has for years and still currently envelops the franchise.
LeBron, for his part, was far more willing to talk about July 1st 2010, the day he can actually openly begin his dalliance with New York, or any other team in the NBA. LeBron was asked a few questions about fitting in with Shaq ("we're still trying to learn each other strengths and weaknesses and it may take a month or two to wrinkle out…") and the 2009-2010 edition of the Cavaliers, but shortly thereafter he was quickly peppered with questions about either the Yankees or his plans next summer.
LeBron opened by congratulating the Yankees (his favorite team) and when asked if he caught the parade, but said he hadn't because he was catching up on his sleep.
The first question I asked LeBron was whether or not he had spoken with his boy C.C. Sabathia, and if CC had yet had a chance to make his recruiting pitch.
LeBron laughed and responded: "Nah, I haven't had a chance to talk to him. If he comes to the game (tonight), I'll be able to talk to him. If not, I'll give him a call after the game. You know, he has seen both sides of the fence being in Cleveland and now in New York, so it was great to see him get one."
Almost tip-off time here – can the Knicks, in a rare nationally televised contest, keep it close? Can their young core (Gallinari, Chandler) impress and make a recruiting pitch of their own? We shall see. I'll check back soon.
