581 Days To Go, Knicks Fans

Last night, LeBron James and the Cavaliers came to town. During a 119-101 blowout that wasn't even that close, Knicks fans treated the NBA's Chosen One as if he were already wearing #23. If Quentin Richardson is still with the team in 2010, would King James have to buy the uniform number? Once again, the Knicks are teasing their fans. They're probably thinking, "You've waited 35 years for an NBA Title, what's a few more years?"

I have to admit, I DON'T think the Lebron Love Fest is necessarily the brainchild of President Donnie Walsh or Coach Mike D'Antoni. Those guys REALLY do want to win. Last night was all about things in Dolanville. That's right, meaning one of the worst owners in sports, James Dolan. Sure, who wouldn't want LeBron on their team? But all of Dolan's Disciples, particularly Al Trautwig and Gus Johnson, act as if the Knicks' trades last week to begin clearing the salary cap set off basketball's version of the Atomic Doomsday Clock. Only 581 days till midnight: July 1, 2010.

Knicks fans have long known that all Jimmy Dolan cares about is selling out the Garden. He'd be happy just making the playoffs and getting an extra few games of revenue at MSG. Remember: During the Isiah Thomas Error, it was NEVER about winning an NBA title, but rather, "being competitive", "making the playoffs", and "showing significant improvement." There were plenty of celebs out last night,(including Plaxico Burress, whose hamstring is allegedly so bad he can't participate at Giants practice) and that's what Dolan wants. I always say, "Put a good PRODUCT on the court and people will naturally show up." Dolan is teasing Knicks fans with "We're FINALLY clearing the cap, and King James is in our sights in two years."

What such statements guarantee is that anyone who has season tickets for NEXT year won't get rid of them-after all, if you HAD seats at MSG and the Knicks snare James, how would it look to all your (most likely at those prices) high profile friends if you say,"Hey, I can't afford it anymore", or "I got tired of the losing" ? I just hope that Dolan isn't so obsessed with James that if the Knicks DON'T get him, Jimmy doesn't hinder Walsh and D'Antoni from going after other top line free agents like Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. We'll see. If there are STILL columns like this berating the Knicks in 2043, obviously this plan didn't work.

To learn more about Mike D'Antoni's 7 second Offense, check out Newsday.com.

Everyone have a blessed, safe and Happy Thanksgiving