Knicks Used Fat Joe to Recruit Amar’e Stoudemire

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He may not be LeBron James, but the Knicks were able to land a big name free agent in Amar’e Stoudemire, apparently with the help of a celebrity who is surprisingly not named Spike Lee.

Rapper Fat Joe, a self-proclaimed Knicks fan, is not one of the most famous  hip-hop stars in pop culture, but it appears he is just as powerful.

In an interview with MTV he stated that the Knicks organization contacted him, and asked him to get in touch with Stoudemire, who he has known since his rookie season, and help convince him to come to New York.

The Nets and Bulls may have their own superstar rappers supporting their quest for the services of “King” James, Jay-Z and T.I., respectively, but the Knicks were able to manage with just a B-list rapper.

Wouldn’t surprise me if Spike Lee just so happened to call STAT one or two times in the process though, not sure there’s a more obsessed celebrity basketball fan out there.

Jay-Z and Derek Jeter Tampering With LeBron?

The New York Knicks are on the brink of desperation, if they’re not there already, and now apparently want the most prestigious professional sports franchise in the world to help out New York City.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh wants all New Yorkers to pitch in on the ‘LeBron Project’ , but Derek Jeter has four helpful words of advice: “It wouldn’t make sense.”

There has also been much speculation that Jay-Z, hip-hop star and close friend of James, would try and pressure him into signing with the New Jersey Nets, of which he is part-owner. According to the rap mogul however, “That’s his decision.”

James is known as a Yankees fan and is also friends with pitcher CC Sabathia. He has also been seen sporting Dr. Dre’s new headphones, ironically enough donning a Red Sox logo.

I don’t know exactly when this picture was taken, but I’m liking the Mickael Pietrus fro. Hopefully this becomes a NBA trend.

My Chemical Romance Offers LeBron Free Tickets for Life to Become a Knick

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Nets co-owner Jay-Z won’t be the only musician recruiting LeBron James this offseason. LeBron is known to be an avid hip-hop fan, but that didn’t stop a band member from an entirely different genre from reaching out to the superstar.

My Chemical Romance, a metal/punk-rock band, guitarist and apparently big Knicks fan Frank Iero took to Twitter to make LeBron a special offer: Free MCR tickets for life if King James makes his way to New York next season.

I’m not sure if MCR is willing to go as far as to make a video similar to the “We are LeBron” parody performed by loyal Cavaliers fans, so they better hope that he’s enticed by the thought of being part of the MCRmy.

LeBron and Jay-Z are certainly friendly toward each other, as seen in the video below. I can’t think of a better person to persuade James to the worst team in the NBA besides the rap superstar.

Political Figures Already Pushing for LeBron James

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The waiting period until LeBron James can sign with a new team will last until at least July 1, although that hasn’t stopped authoritative figures in high places from courting him.

And I’m not talking the usual suspects, such as Spike Lee or Jay-Z. Two of the most notable political figures in America have already made a pitch to arguably the best basketball player in the world, although not for the same city.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and none other than Mr. President himself, Chicago native Barack Obama, have let LeBron James know that he is welcome in their respective cities. Discreetly, of course.

On his weekly radio show, Mayor Bloomberg said that LeBron would “love living in New York,” while an aide for President Obama said that the President “didn’t want to tamper, but as a Chicago fan he thinks LeBron would look great in a Bulls uniform.”

As of now those two cities are in the best position to lure LeBron from Cleveland. Hopefully the inevitable summer-long saga that will be LeBron’s courtship will provide some entertainement.

Spike Lee Cheering for the Celtics

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Or namely, the elimination of the Cavaliers. Since Kobe has signed an extension, it’s no secret that the renowned filmmaker wants the superstar on the Knicks, his favorite team.

Lee stated the following in an interview with ESPN’s Ian O’Connor: “I feel we have a better chance to get LeBron James if Cleveland loses this series to the Celtics. The quicker Cleveland loses, the better our chances are of getting LeBron.”

Rap mogul Jay-Z has also been trying to lure LeBron. Perhaps all the city needs is a Eli Manning/Derek Jeter combo to push him over the top.

I’m sure if The King decides to make New York his new destination, Spike would toss in a documentary of some sort. Heck, I bet just a film of James signing a max contract with the Knicks would rake in millions in New York.