http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/msg_schedules_program_fit_for_king_Jy0x1lhdLaClchGlYdDQcJ

MSG Network will launch a new weekly Knicks show scheduled to debut at midnight on July 1. Whether LeBron James makes a guest appearance is unclear.

It's being called "Knicks Night Live," but it might as well be called "The LeBron Watch."

The program will be shown every Thursday night, with its first episode hitting the airwaves the moment LeBron James and the star-studded free-agent class officially hit the market.

If things work out in July, it may spawn a new Knicks show next season -- "The King James Hour."

Asked if it would give a superstar such as James his own show, MSG Network general manager Dan Ronanye told The Post: "We've always tried to provide a way for our viewers to get to know the players in unique ways," he said. "We're open to looking at any opportunities."

In other words, yes! "The Mike D'Antoni Show" turned out 25 episodes last season, and Ronanye said he has agreed to do another season.

But ratings for James' show would be another boon for owner James Dolan. Expect that to come up during James' recruiting visit.

The shows, hosted by Al Trautwig and Kelly Tripucka, will be filmed in the Garden concourse. The summer plot will either become a fantasy thriller with a Cinderella ending or a Shakespearean tragedy.

Ronanye admits there is no telling if the weekly free-agent show will spawn a happy ending.

The Knicks have put all their eggs in one basket, getting $34 million under the salary cap in hopes of signing either James and Chris Bosh or a mélange of talent to revive a dead franchise. There is a chance of striking out.

"We'll take whatever comes our way," Ronanye said. "The interesting part is nobody knows what's going to happen. It will unfold before everybody's eyes. That's what makes the show interesting and unpredictable.

"Knicks fans have been looking forward to this summer for a long time and we want to make sure they have all the news as it happens," added Ronanye.

MSG Network hasn't had a news show for two years, probably because it's all been bad news. But Ronanye said it will have a breaking-news desk in July.

jimimou wrote:

martin wrote:

jimimou wrote:

Childs2Dudley wrote:

jimimou wrote:this is retarded, cant believe the knicks taking out the lotion and rubbing one out for lebron in this fashion. where in the history of sports has this ever been done to this magnified extent?

You're acting like they're canceling their amazing shows for this thing. All they do during the offseason is re-play High School Football games and play paid programming constantly. Nothing entertaining or even important.

i find the whole concept of lebron groveling sickening - has nothing to do with what's on TV that night or not.

isn't this jumping the gun a bit? It's a new Knicks show that's gonna air weekly, just like the one MDA does. First episode will be on Free Agency, which it should. No mention of any focus on just LeBron, no?

just my opinion - i am not a fan of all the asskissing going on w getting lebron to ny

So you would prefer that Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni sit and do nothing? It makes no sense. We're coming off the worst decade in New York Knicks history. Players are not going to line up to sign here. We need to sell ourselves. I don't get fans like you.