The pitchman: Donnie - I hope he knows how to sell, recommend he go in with a story along the lines of the following:

• we will win with you and a second superstar - immediately;
• we are young and getting better - lots of upside and potential for a decade-long run;
• we play in NYC and will help you build a legacy of a champion;
• your legacy is worth more in NYC than it is in any other city - hundreds of millions more (and have the biz case to back it up);
• if you want to be considered the best there ever was, return glory to the NY Knickerbockers by winning multiple championships;
• the Knicks have resources that no other team has (including shady russian characters), and will use these resources to help you be the best ever.

That's seven, maybe eight guys. Do this and we win. No one else can bring this. Who's Chicago gonna bring, MJ? Don't think so. The Nets? Shady russian dude trumps Jay-Z. The Heat? Wade and Riley, OK, but who the hell wants to play in Miami?

I'm confident. The fact that NYC has been underplayed to date works in our favor - there's misdirection going on here and we're the beneficiaries.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D'Antoni will meet with James in Ohio. It is likely that Garden Chairman James Dolan and Walsh's understudy, Allan Houston, will also make the trip.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/knicks/2010/06/knicks-will-make-pitch-to-lebr.html#ixzz0s22WdmM4

Childs2Dudley wrote:

Knicks president Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D'Antoni will meet with James in Ohio. It is likely that Garden Chairman James Dolan and Walsh's understudy, Allan Houston, will also make the trip.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/knicks/2010/06/knicks-will-make-pitch-to-lebr.html#ixzz0s22WdmM4

Is Walsh grooming Houston to take over?

I think its a reach to think any visit by anyone is going to have a lot of impact, but i certainly think LeBron won't be impacted by a guy he never saw play talking about how great it was when he won here 40 years ago

stanleybostitch wrote:Been thinking about the July 1 meeting, and how the Knicks should play things; assuming that a reasonable number of people can come to the meeting, who would you have them bring, and how does this support their message? My thoughts below.

The pitchman: Donnie - I hope he knows how to sell, recommend he go in with a story along the lines of the following:

• we will win with you and a second superstar - immediately;
• we are young and getting better - lots of upside and potential for a decade-long run;
• we play in NYC and will help you build a legacy of a champion;
• your legacy is worth more in NYC than it is in any other city - hundreds of millions more (and have the biz case to back it up);
• if you want to be considered the best there ever was, return glory to the NY Knickerbockers by winning multiple championships;
• the Knicks have resources that no other team has (including shady russian characters), and will use these resources to help you be the best ever.

The basketball mastermind: D'Antoni - talk x's and o's, how the system is built for Lebron to win championships, give specific examples of how Lebron's game translates to 7SOL, talk about the roles of different players like Bosh and Gallo; above all, BOND with the man, show respect, and make it clear that playing will be FUN with D'Antoni.
The legacy: Walt Clyde - sells what it's like to win in NYC, what it's like to walk down the street, what it really means to be a Knick;
The fan: Spike Lee - this is a natural, bring Spike to represent the fans of NY, and also as a rep to the hollywood for any and all of Lebron's inner circle who are interested;
The billionaire: Michael Bloomberg - sells not just the city of NY but the fact that he's a billionare and can help Lebron join the club; if possible, bring more than one Billionaire, would Warren Buffet help us out here?
The numbers guy: Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs (and one of his directs) - this is the guy who walks through the numbers on why Lebron is worth more in NYC than anywhere else;
The surprise: Chris Bosh (signed on the dotted line) - if this were possible - sign Bosh at 12:01am July 1 and bring him to the damn meeting. Game over.
The aparatchicks (there because they have to be): Dolan, hopefully way, way, way in the background, maybe have him take notes or chew gum or something.

That's seven, maybe eight guys. Do this and we win. No one else can bring this. Who's Chicago gonna bring, MJ? Don't think so. The Nets? Shady russian dude trumps Jay-Z. The Heat? Wade and Riley, OK, but who the hell wants to play in Miami?

I'm confident. The fact that NYC has been underplayed to date works in our favor - there's misdirection going on here and we're the beneficiaries.

I like your picks. A solid group. One minor change. Bill Bradley, who gave an eloquent depiction of the thrill of his life in winning championships in NY as being more then his victory in elections to the Senate. It also shows how far you can go after your NY time is over. Sorry Clyde, sill love you.