While filling as the host of the Michael K. Show on ESPN Radio earlier today, Stephen A. Smith dropped a bit of a bombshell for New York Knicks fans. HOOPSWORLD’s Tommy Beer notified us by tweeting Smith’s rumors about LeBron James possibly coming to the Knicks not this summer, but next.

Would this have any connection to the report of the Knicks offering Carmelo Anthony the chance to pick his teammates in 2015? It’s possible, but more than likely unrelated… since the sources are from two distinctly different corners.

LeBron flirted with the Big Apple in the summer of 2010, when most pundits believed his destination was either Manhattan or staying in Cleveland (South Beach swooped in at the last minute). New York fans grew so attached to the idea that shirts like this one were commonplace. Even up until the night of “The Decision,” the Knicks were a key player in the LeBron sweepstakes.

Because of that, no one should downplay this rumor just because it’s New York and they love a good story, or because it’s Stephen A. and he’s known to say some wild things. LeBron’s reported infatuation with being the country’s biggest star could lead him to consider New York, the country’s biggest city.

SupremeCommander wrote:I personally think him going back to Cleveland is more plausible if he decides to make a move. I will say though that LBJ + Melo would be one of the greatest 1, 2s in league history. Plus, imagine what winning in NYC would do for his legacy

F him. I'd prefer watching the Knicks knocking out whichever team he's on...

arkrud wrote:If Melo will opt out and go to LA-land it is a possibility.
But only if LA will not snatch both of them and we will get Kobe to join MSG senior community for pre-retirement money.

Melo goes home to LA it will be to the Clippers to join Chris Paul and Blake not to be Kobe's caddy

sealy wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:I personally think him going back to Cleveland is more plausible if he decides to make a move. I will say though that LBJ + Melo would be one of the greatest 1, 2s in league history. Plus, imagine what winning in NYC would do for his legacy

F him. I'd prefer watching the Knicks knocking out whichever team he's on...

Damn girls, I know we all wanted the dude and he handled it awful creating a public relations nightmare but this dude is welcome to be a knick anytime he wants. We not talking Jordan cuz that legacy is cemented, but we talking about the best player on the planet at the moment!

Melo tried to get "colude" with Paul and if he did, you think we'd hold that against him?

Im sure we'd all rather the knicks man up and draft stars and brand them "knicks for life" and hold them icons if they are able to deliver us to the promise land. Jordan and Pippen were stars in a different era with different economics.

This is amazing:

Jordans salary with Bulls

1984-85 - $550,000
1985-86 - $630,000
1986-87 - $737,500
1987-88 - $845,000
1988-89 - $2,000,000
1989-90 - $2,250,000
1990-91 - $2,500,000
1991-92 - $3,250,000
1992-93 - $4,000,000
1993-94 - $4,000,000
1994-95 - $3,850,000
1995-96 - $3,850,000
1996-97 - $30,140,000
1997-98 - $33,140,000

After his divorce he is still worth about $650 million.

My point? Maybe in the present CBA Jordan, or Pippen would have left in order to get paid market value. NObody gets 30mm per and we talking 15 years after the fact!!!!!!

Back to Melo and Lebron.

Lets assume Lebron is a bit smarter so I doubt he is going to do another "The Decison" so the whole "Boo Hoo Im a knick fan......Fool me once shame on you.........Blah blah" is a waste of time. Those two want to collude in NYC thats fine. Rather here than with Lakers!

I would agree that Cleveland makes more sense as they should be pretty good in two years and he can redeem himself with the good folks in Cleveland. The prodigal son returns!

It makes sense that he will keep it all under wraps nice and tight to protect his brand, not protect knick fans emotions.

Yea, right. Deal with a cynical a$shole fanbase like us, with a chip or bust pressure plate hanging on his head? Don't think so.

Believe it when I see it.