By Jordan Heller
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — As all of Manhattan held its breath awaiting LeBron James' decision about whether he'd play for the Knicks, numerous reports had him all but pledged to join the Miami Heat.
King James had reportedly even secured 25 rooms at the W Hotel in South Beach to celebrate his forthcoming decision, which is due at 9 p.m., the New York Post reported.
But the W Hotel wouldn't confirm James' reservation.
"At this time we are instructed to give no comment," a spokeswoman told DNAinfo.
At a Knicks press conference earlier in the day to announce the signing of Amar'e Stoudemire, it seemed the team was resigned to not landing the most coveted superstar on the free agent market.
"I'm not sure. I really have no control over it. I'm gonna let him figure it out," Stoudemire told reporters when asked about whether James would join him on the Knicks.
Knicks president Donnie Walsh was equally unenthusiastic.
"I'm going to be happy today no matter what happens," he told reporters. "We got Amar'e Stoudemire."
According to another team official, James playing for the Miami Heat seems to be a done deal.
"By going to Miami there is less pressure on him," the official said, according to the Daily News. "If the Heat lose, it's because of [Dwayne] Wade, [General Manager Pat] Riley and LeBron. Maybe he just didn't want the pressure of playing in New York."
Another bad sign for the Knicks? Riley also reportedly has a floor booked at a Greenwich, CT restaurant close to where James will make his announcement, according to Hollywoodlife.com.
A manager at Polpo Restaurant denied that the floor had been booked by Riley, but said that there was a party for 15 for Vitamin Water. While Riley does not appear to have any relationship to the drink, James is a spokesperson for the brand.
