Remember when the players used to get jetted around the country? They were wined, dined, and wooed by all suitors. Big presentations at MSG to show Allan Houston and the like why they'd want to come to NY and how great it is to play in the world's most famous arena in the best sports town on the planet. Hanging out with you potential teammates, especially the big guys (Ewing back in the day).

Now all the players seem to sit at home and have the folks come to them, with what...powerpoints or Prezi slideshows? A notion of what the city has to offer? The clearly non-guaranteed "promise" of achieving the ultimate goal of rings?

Were I in a high stakes profession, I would definitely be more interested in the former and less interested in the latter (current) procedures that dominate the pitching in the NBA. The lack of interest in that now seemingly old school recruitment is strange to me. I guess holding court for all suitors is the bigger ego stroke these days. I would think seeing your image on the side of the arena, having all levels of staff at the arena attending to your every need, actually getting a feel for the place as an insider, getting to know the city...these would all be invaluable in making your decision.

It seems like Amare might have been one of the last name brand guys to do that in general (obviously the last one for Knicks since they haven't have any real money since then). Maybe Tyson got a similar treatment.

I hope it all works out for the Knicks. It's been so long since they've been a consistent contender that it's all but taken the fun out of watching the NBA for me. Honestly, it has taken the fun out of it for me. I just can't bring myself to root for another team...