Please bear in mind that at least among what I consider to be the very intelligent NBA writers and “people” I speak to on a consistent basis, the Knicks should not be here. They were in such a hole, it took Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni two years just to clear the rest of the garbage out. To do so they leveraged their future, and are starting the franchise over from scratch, only without the benefit that an expansion team has of draft picks (again, traded just to get themselves out of the garbage infested hole).
Then free agency opened, and I’m not going to kid you here, they got their tails kicked. The reports were at best “lukewarm” and at worst “indifferent” on the part of their target, LeBron James. Then came word that they were in serious talks with Amar’e Stoudemire, and that Dwyane Wade was “intrigued.” Then yesterday Amar’e was escalated to starting talks.
Then late Sunday, just as you were cracking open that Bud Light and trying to figure out which end to light the Roman Candle, reports came out that James’ representatives met with Knicks executives Saturday night. This a day after Stoudemire’s little talk outside the theater. The signal is clear.
The Knicks mean business.
As our man Rob Mahoney told you when we brought you news of the second Knicks meeting, the Knicks are still facing a huge sell-job to get even one, much less two max free agents. But the fact is they’ve already planted themselves in this race. Outside of the market, they had very little going for them. Now, it’s hard to find any way to put their odds for getting James or Wade behind Miami, the Clippers, or the Nets. While the Cavs and Bulls remain firmly in the front of the pack, the Knicks are making their move. And as we head into Monday, the earliest conceivable day James could reach a decision, the Knicks have something else on their side.
Momentum.
Whoever winds up landing LeBron or Wade is likely going to do so in a wave, capitalizing on a series of meetings while leaving the competition in the dust. The Knicks have managed to get in early, land a second max free agent, then get a second meeting late.
It’s a very long way from a commitment, but it would appear the Knicks have gotten traction. They’re not out of the hole, but they can see daylight. And if they continue to pour on the pressure, the Knicks may actually pull this thing off and lead all us doubters with our jaws wide open.
Money and market go a long way. Don’t believe me? Ask yourself why Maverick Carter is meeting with Knicks people on the eve of the Fourth of July when nothing was scheduled. It’s not the first second meeting the max guys have had, but it’s certainly one that’s caused the NBA world to pick up their ears like a German Shepherd.