By Michael Ventura
DNAinfo Senior Editor
MANHATTAN — Knicks fans awoke Friday morning filled with a new sense of hope and possibility — LeBron James may have played his last game as a Cleveland Cavalier.
The NBA's most valuable player had his dreams of a championship dashed Thursday night by a 94-85 loss to the Boston Celtics. King James becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1 and the Knicks have spent the last two seasons clearing up salary cap space to sign him.
Celtics fans serenaded James with chants of "New York Knicks!" whenever he went to the free throw line, the New York Post reported. Even though he posted a triple-double in the game (27 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists), it was ultimately futile against a deeper Celtics team in Game 6.
James tore off his Cavaliers jersey as he went to the locker room. At the post-game press conference, he was asked about his future.
"First of all I want to win, that's my only concern," James said after the game. "It's all about winning for me. The Cavs are committed to doing that, but at the same time, I've given myself options at this point."
The mayor of James' hometown — Akron, Ohio — added his two cents to help the superstar weigh his options.
"Who the hell would want to live in New York?" Mayor Don Plusquellic told the Daily News.
Our mayor hit back during his weekly radio program.
"I think Lebron James would love living in New York," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. He'd even give King James a "big sales pitch" if he needed convincing.
All James had to do was call, Bloomberg said.
"I think it would be great for New York if he were to come here," the mayor said.
Back in Akron, a banner was unveiled imploring James to stay. It read: "Born here. Raised Here. Plays Here. Stays Here."
James said that during the offseason he will consult with "my team" of trusted advisors before he decides whether to stay in Cleveland or move on to another suitor. The New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are all expected to take a run at James.
"Me and my team is going to figure out what’s the best possibility for me," James said. "I love the city of Cleveland, of course, the city, the fans. Another disappointing season, to say the least, but at the same time we have a great time together. So we’ll see what happens."
Cleveland fans booed James Tuesday night when he only scored 15 points in the Cavs' Game 5 loss at home. For the series, despite being hampered by a nagging elbow injury, James nearly averaged a triple-double — 26.8 points, 7.2 assists and 9.3 rebounds.
DNAinfo has posted a countdown clock to James' free agency so readers can know the exact moment he becomes available.
"A friend told me after the game that sometimes you go through a lot of nightmares before you finally accomplish your dream," James said, according to the News. "That's what going on individually for myself right now."
Knicks fans hope James can help them recover from the nightmare they've been living through for the past decade. For them, July can't come fast enough.
"I'm going to do all the wishing that I can for it," Knicks legend Willis Reed told the News. "If LeBron came to the Knicks, it would be like Christmas in July."
