The two newest Knicks, Tim Thomas and Al Harrington, stepped onto the court late in the first quarter to the barest hint of recognition, but public-address announcer Mike Walczewski felt compelled to cut off the swelling ovation for King James in favor of equal time for Zydrunas Ilgauskus.

Not what 19,763 paid for, at least until James went off for 26 points in just 30 minutes of work during a 119-101 rout that left the World's Arena Most Famous for It's Fans, at least the way James looks at it, drooling for more than two visits a year.

"The fans," James said of what he likes about New York. "Every time I come here it's a warm feeling because you know the history, and it's not just basketball, its concerts, boxing, everything.

"Being a basketball junkie like myself, how could you not like it, not say 'I like to be here?' I'm saying as a Cleveland Cavalier, not permanently."

There might be a championship won in Cleveland before July 2010. James might even, if he decides to take the $133 million max allowable under the cap to stay in Northeast Ohio instead of the $102 million he could earn elsewhere, live happily ever after bringing three or five titles to the region of his birth.

News » The courtship of LeBron has begun
The courtship of LeBron has begun
NEW YORK - LeBron James' well-worn Yankees cap assuredly fits. And Tuesday night he tried on more of New York. More from the New York Post Madonna, A-Rod winging it to Miami Beefed up Jets living large Angels raise the ante on CC More from The New York Post