By Yepoka Yeebo & Michael Ventura
DNAinfo Staff
MANHATTAN — LeBron James met with the Knicks Thursday afternoon and the team left feeling good about their chances of signing him.
"We tried to put him in a New York state of mind,” Coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters after the meeting in Ohio.
D'Antoni was joined on the recruiting trip by team owner James Dolan, president Donnie Walsh and Allan Houston.
"There was no commitment; it was a non-committal meeting," said Walsh, the New York Post reported. "We got the opportunity, which were thankful for, to talk about the New York Knicks and explain what we're trying to do."
D'Antoni also spoke to the fact that the Knicks are no longer considered front runners to land James.
"I know you guys, nothing personal, I'm glad we're not considered a lead horse," D'Antoni said, according to the Post.
The Knicks are set to meet Friday with free agents Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, the New York Times reported.
Joe Johnson, another player of interest to the Knicks, was offered $119.5 million over six years to stay in Atlanta, the Times said.
Meanwhile, back in Manhattan, Knicks fans showed their love for LeBron with a 50-foot mural of the superstar wearing a Knicks uniform on the court of the legendary Rucker Park in Harlem.
"This place is a Mecca for street ball, when people think of basketball in New York, they think of Madison Square Garden, and Rucker Park," said Greg Marius, founder of the Entertainers Basketball Classic, which runs events on the court. "We wanted to have something here so LeBron would know it's not just the Garden that wants him, it's the real fans."
But some of the players at the park were doubtful the tribute would work.
"It's all for no reason, I don't think he'll come to New York," said 15-year-old Cheffar Hunter.
