The disclosure that there will be no LeBron James free-agent tour has only amped up speculation about what team holds the edge.
So Jay-Z and the Nets (and Knicks, too) won't be putting on a high-energy show for LeBron James in either New Jersey or New York this week ... that doesn't slow the New York's media's certainty that James is likely coming their way.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The disclosure that there will be no LeBron James free-agent tour has only amped up speculation about what team holds the edge.
Some observers believe the Cavs own favorite status because James is a lifelong Akron-area resident. It's known, too, that Cavaliers executives recently visited James at his Bath Township home.
The James free-agent saga is again in "What's it mean?" mode.
• Some think the Knicks' chances are damaged because the team can't showboat James around New York. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News isn't buying into that, as he writes:
"LeBron knows Manhattan, he understands the history of Madison Square Garden and he has plenty of celebrity friends on speed dial. If he decides to sign with the Knicks, it will have nothing to do with a fancy meal served inside a penthouse apartment overlooking Central Park.
"It will come down to knowing that the Knicks can sign two 'max' free agents and still have enough cap space to sign another significant free agent next summer. Although the Bulls and Heat are clearing cap space, several people familiar with James' thinking believe that the Knicks are still his desired destination if he elects to leave Cleveland in his rearview mirror.
"'He told me after the Olympics he wanted to live in New York,' said one source. 'And as far as I know, nothing has changed.'"
As Isola contends, "LeBron knows Manhattan." Some evidence comes in another New York Daily News story. Writes Rich Schapiro:
"The NBA's most coveted free agent made a cameo appearance at Manhattan's Avenue nightclub Thursday night -- and rubbed shoulders with singer Mary J. Blige and actor Jeremy Piven.
"James, in a plaid shirt and black shades, looked all business as a security guard led him into the Chelsea hot spot. Even as revelers raised cell phone cameras, James remained stone-faced. His diamond stud earring twinkled as the cameras flashed.
"The NBA's reigning MVP loosened up later in the night, smiling wide as a brunette hottie danced beside him."
• Some in Chicago think it's great James won't fly around the country, and that he might consider only basketball in making his decision. Nick Friedell writes for ESPNChicago.com:
"He'll be meeting teams in Ohio and they'll be delivering their plans one by one -- on his turf.
"This new development in the LeBronWatch figures to help [General Manager Gar] Forman and the Bulls more than their competition.
"All we've heard over the past few days is how teams such as the New York Knicks are ready to wine and dine James whenever he comes to their town. They planned on putting together elaborate dinners and introducing him to celebrities who would tell him how great their particular city is. I never got the sense from anyone within the Bulls' organization that they planned to do the same. They figured that their message to James was simple:
"If you come play with us, we'll contend for titles right away.
"Sure, they would sell the organization's championship history and they'd sell new head coach Tom Thibodeau's pedigree, but those were all the perfunctory things that would go into any recruiting pitch. The difference is that they didn't need the extravagance that other teams needed to cover up the fact that the players on their rosters just aren't as good as anything the Bulls have to offer."
• The Cavaliers are allowed to visit with James at any time. But what other teams might he first see come Tuesday? Writes Chris Broussard for ESPN.com:
"Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the latest plan calls for the New Jersey Nets -- led by new owner Mikhail Prokhorov and minority owner/longtime James pal Jay-Z -- to be the first team to meet James face to face. No one from James' camp, though, would confirm the meeting.
"On Saturday, a source told ESPNNewYork.com's Ian O'Connor that the Knicks also will be meeting with James on Thursday."