It feels like a fait accompli now: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh joined forces with the Heat in 2010.
But did the Knicks, owned by James Dolan and led by Donnie Walsh, who deals with health issues, ever get a chance to sign LeBron?
Bill Simmons in “The Bill Simmons Podcast:”
From everyone I’ve spoken to since, it’s clear that the Knicks were the first choice. And sorry, Knicks fans, ear muffs. But basically it was the Knicks who lost, and they just couldn’t stay out of their own way. And the stories are legendary.
They had the legendary reunion. Donnie Walsh was in the wheelchair and Dolan was Dolan. And it was complete: they had nothing prepared. And it just couldn’t have been worse, obviously. It was a disaster.
The Knicks made a dubious presentation, and it looks worse as we’ve learned more. Dolan reportedly released copies of his CD during free agent meetings that summer.
But did LeBron really favor the Knicks before the meeting? I am skeptical, at least how this is presented.
It wouldn’t surprise me if LeBron had different top options, including the Cavaliers and Bulls, at different points in the process. I had an important decision. There was much to consider.
However, that’s different than the Knicks who led in July 2010 and fell short just because they ruined the meeting.
LeBron also seems to have enjoyed teasing the Knicks in later years. Convincing people that the Knicks almost made it, exact or not, would fit perfectly.
Rumor: LeBron James planned to sign with Knicks until the 2010 ‘disaster’ meeting originally appeared on NBCSports.com
