The Knick' s have been down this path before.  A "legendary" city player that has a street rep that some fans want to see in orange and blue.  Only this time they listen to reason and fought the urge to redo the Stephon Marbury disaster.  The Knicks passed on Brooklyn legend and Univ. of Cincinnati Freshman Lance Stephenson.  Many colleges passed on the "one-and-done" Stephenson who showed talent but lives on potential.  Having been selected by the Knick's would have led both Stephenson and the Knick's down a path that would have ended poorly for each.  There is too much history and pressure on NYC high school legends to succeed at home.  And in the age that basketball now is, having his entourage with him is just too distracting from someone that needs to still learn the game.  Indiana is the right place for Stephenson, and should he develop, can always look 3 years from now to signing as a free agent with his hometown team.

The countdown is on in several NBA cities as free agency begins at the stroke of midnight Wednesday.  The New York Post has a countdown clock on its Sports Page, with daily articles regarding the meetings LeBron James is set to take Thursday, first meeting with the Knicks and then the Nets in Ohio.

Hate to tell it to the Knicks, but if there is a betting line in Vegas (and you know there is one), they are a 1,000 - 1 shot at landing James despite clearing enough cap room to get him a playmate superstar.  Its not their fault.  They have done everything within their power and scope.  Only they do not have any present players on their roster that will assist James in his pursuit of a championship.  Their are some nice pieces, but just that, nice pieces.

Truth is, across the river the Nets are better situated with Brook Lopez and company to entice James.  But they are at least two years away from moving to Brooklyn and a marketing dream.  If James re-ups with the Cav's for only 3 years, you and everyone else will know that it is with an eye to leave Cleveland after the term is up to go play in JZ's playhouse on Atlantic Ave.

Smart play for James is either going to Chicago or Miami where there are players that are of talent and room to bring along additional talent with James.

We will see GM's sweat on Thursday and teams come up short, having to explain to an angry fan base why they were not a target of the free agent's affection.  For the Knick's, its nothing they did wrong, they just don't have enough ammunition.

In seven days the frenzy will begin.  Yesterday was the appetizer that we ate as we wait for the main course.  It filled us a little, teased our palate, but left us hungry for something more substantial.

The NBA free agent period opens at 12:01 AM July 1 with main course dishes of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh, among others.  Teams over the past two years frantically scrambled to clear salary cap room in anticipation of luring one, or possibly two of these talented individuals.  The Chicago Bulls pulled off a Draft Day trade of Kirk Hinrich to the Washington Wizards in order to land LeBron plus another free agent to pair with Derrick Rose.  Miami cleared more space to make room for keeping Wade plus adding additional free agents, such as James.

Teams like the Knicks and Nets may be left out in the cold come next Friday.

Truthfully, who is really going to tune into tonight's NBA Draft?  Other than John Wall and Evan Turner, are there any impact players?  Will any of the lottery picks have their options picked up after their guaranteed 3 year contracts expire?

The truth is July 1 is only seven days away.  The fever pitch will build until the strike of midnight and the exec's of the teams with cap room all hit their speed dials for LeBron, Dwayne, Chris and the rest.  This will be the NBA excitement, the NBA replenishment, that we as fans are all looking for.

While your team may make a questionable selection in tonight's draft, look toward's next week as an indicator as to who they may be going after to fill the obvious needs they didn't address with the draft.

The 2010 Game Over Classic just concluded this past weekend at two sites.  Champions were crowned in 8 divisions.  To see photos and videos of the action, go to www.gameoversportz.com .  If you are not yet a member, becoming on is free and only takes a moment.

The replenishment begins Thursday evening as the NBA will hold its annual draft of amateur players.  The Washington Wizards hold the top pick this year, followed by the 76ers and Nets.  Kentucky freshman John Wall is expected to be the first overall selection, Ohio State's Evan Turner to go to the Sixers, and the Nets selecting Georgia Tech big man Derrick Favors.  There are two rounds to the draft.  The New York Knicks do not have a First Round Selection.

The Los Angeles Lakers won their 16th NBA Championship by beating their arch rivals, the Boston Celtics,  in a 7th Game slugfest.  After trailing by as much as 13 points in the middle of the 3rd Quarter, the Lakers were able to shut down the Celtic attack.  The championship brings them to within one overall championship of the Celtics, who have 17.  Kobe Bryant received the Finals MVP award.