I know its not a new idea or complaint, but people seem to have softened their stance on Lebron.  Personally though, this organization bowing and scraping for LBJ embarrasses me as a Knick fan.  And NYC with all that C'mon Lebron business.  I feel humiliated for everyone being put through this process.  More than that, I just want to see him lose. Those are my biases.

Thinking rationally, too, we're probably better off longterm without Lebron coming to the Knicks this summer.  Or at least be in position to acquire more All-Star caliber players than we could with him on the roster.  According to this news Howard Beck did yesterday twat, the Knicks are willing to pair Lee and Amare.  That's awesome.  Assuming Lee doesn't get max dollars from the Knicks, and is on the books for, say, 11 million for next year, that'll leave enough cap space for another max player in 2011, i.e. Carmelo Anthony.  

Everyone's talked about this alternate scenario, or some variation of it.  But it hasn't been discussed as a primary plan.  I understand if you can sign Lebron, you do it.  A bird in the hand and so on.  But when you talk about contracts in a capped sport, who gives you what for how many dollars is key.  Who will we sign down the line who will do as much for us as David Lee can for the money we may be able to pay him?  You might say Carmelo might not even be available, right?  So why hasn't he signed that 3 year extension for 65 million?  You think he doesn't look at NY, eyebrows raised?  And it's easy to dream on that roster with Amare, Lee, Carmelo, Gallo, etc.  And does Lebron want to compare rosters to any of his other destinations?  You like the way JJ Hickson is developing?  Pretty fun getting blazed with Beasley, huh?  Anybody still give a shit about Joakim Noah's career averages of 8 pionts and 8 rebounds per game?  No?

At this point, I think the Knicks would be better served signing Lee to a semi-team friendly contract and waiting next year for Carmelo, who by the way has won a title above the high school level.  It also gives Gallo another year to get used to asserting himself and develop with this group.  And assuming the reports Lee's feeling vengeful are nonsense, David would be a god in New York if he signed that kind of deal.  Leaving a couple million on the table to facilitate a championship caliber roster with the team that drafted him?  Pure sports hero stuff.  So stay in Cleveland Lebron, sign with Chicago, get a cabana in Miami with Bosh and Wade...who cares.  Though, maybe we can exorcise some of those Jordan demons if we beat him while he's wearing a Bulls uniform.

More than anything, I want the Knicks to win, same as everyone else here.  Even the Nets fans reading this, you masochistic little chimps.  But if Lebron puts that Knicks jersey on, I'll want to see him do well and lead the team to titles.  And if he goes elsewhere, I think that ends up being more fun anyway.