New York Yankees

You ask me what the key to tonight is? The 3 things I will tell you are Gallo, Wil, and LeBron's favorite baseball team.

How much of an impact will tonight have on LeBron for 2010? I say we MAKE IT have a huge impact.

For starters, the Knicks need to show LeBron that he has some solid pieces here. Gallo needs to shoot the eyes out of the hoop tonight so LeBron sees the potential of the second coming of Dirk to play with. Then if Wil comes out and shows the sparks he has shown over the past few seasons (he averaged 14 & 6 as a 21 year old) - even just one or two of those moves that make you say "Wow! Look at his athleticism" it will go a long way.

LeBron was quoted today in the Post saying "It doesn't matter where I'll be, I'm good enough to help a team win basketball games." He truly, and correctly, believes this to be the case (see 2009 Cavs Roster). It doesn't matter who is around him, but it would be nice for him to know he has a few good pieces to get to a top team in the East in 2010. Then he can have a championship caliber team when Eddy and Jared's $17 mil come off the books in 2011 for the next Knicks big free agent signing.

The other key to tonight- as said here earlier- is the New York Yankees. I'm hoping for all the big Yankee names to be there. Bring them out on the court before the game, congratulate them during the timeouts, show each player individually every chance you can get, keep on that all night. Oh and get a camera on LeBron during it- imagine the uproar if LeBron was seen clapping- or just even smiling- we all know how much he loves the Yanks (he also reportedly texted Jeter, A-Rod, & CC after they won).

So tonight, remember the keys:
1. Yankees, Yankees and more Yankees.
2. A heavy dose of Gallo.
3. Empire State of Mind.
4. A Coaching mistake by Mike Brown and a good night from Mike D.
5. Wilson Chandler shows up.
6. Hot Chicks sitting courtside.
7. No Goofing around.
8. A Knowledgeable Crowd.

NY Post Reports:
Not that there is ever an occasion in New York at which Bernie Williams is not proudly hailed, but imagine him playing the Star-Spangled Banner at the Garden Friday night with dawn's early light having revealed the Yankees as World Series champions.

Noted Yankees fan LeBron James and the Cavaliers will be in the house to face the Knicks, and so will the four-time World Series winner, five-time All Star and one-time Grammy-nominated jazz-Latin-classical guitarist. Williams is doing some serious picking in his next chosen field, and as a longtime Knicks fan and sometimes Garden patron, he is grinning at the opportunity to perform there on a marquee basketball night.

"I don't know about meeting him, but my family is at least hoping to get a glimpse at LeBron," said Williams. "It's going to be pretty exciting."

I love this move, the Yankees are LeBrons favorite baseball team (we've all heard plenty about that "controversy"), this is a great way to show LeBron how your future is more secure in NY. How we take care of our own- a la John Starks and Allan Houston walking around the Garden each game.

Not mention that the Yankees *fingers crossed for LeBron to NY fans* should be bringing home a championship by Friday's game. That means most likely a number Yankee players will be in attendance. What better way to show LeBron the way New York treats its champions, and the champions of the team he himself loves, by hearing the cheers of all of NY.

Perhaps LeBrons 1st and only appearance at the Garden being so early in the season can be turned into a positive.