Knicks’ secret LeBron James recruitment tape is leaked – with pitch to NBA star including Donald Trump and The Sopranos
The tape appears to answer a long-held question about The Sopranos’ controversial ending
THE New York Knicks attempted to lure LeBron James to the Big Apple with a remarkable recruitment video.
The unearthed 10-minute clip from 2010 features the cast of The Sopranos and a plea from ex-US President Donald Trump.
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The New York Knicks attempted to lure then-Cleveland star LeBron James to the Big Apple in 2010Credit: Getty
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James Gandolfini appeared as Tony Soprano in the clip shared by ex-ESPN writer Pablo TorreCredit: Getty
LeBron began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers but was set to become a free agent after seven seasons in Ohio.
The Knicks were keen to bring the superstar to Madison Square Garden but faced competition from the Miami Heat, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Cavaliers.
Rumors persisted for years that The Sopranos cast had reunited to film a recruitment video for the 20-time All-Star.
Former ESPN sports writer Pablo Torre has now released the “secret tape.”
Torre was joined by Jason Concepcion and Rob Perez as he debuted the footage on his podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out.
The clip sees James Gandolfini reprising his role as Tony Soprano, the final time he would play the iconic mobster.
Reading a newspaper copy of the New York Post, the actor and his on-screen wife Edie Falco discuss where LeBron could live if he moved to the Big Apple.
“Here’s a place, looks like it gets really loud there,” said Falco, as the pair study a picture of the Knicks’ home arena, MSG.
Along with Gandolfini, the video featured short pitches to LeBron from Trump, former New York mayors Rudy Guiliani and Mike Bloomberg, and Hollywood icon Robert De Niro.
“This is incredible,” gasped one NBA fan in response to the footage.
“How did you get this?” asked another.
“The only thing that pitch accomplished is answer the question if Tony lived or not,” wrote a third, referencing the infamous Sopranos black-screen ending.“That video was so bad that it made me not want to go to NYC even to visit. I’m taking my tourism to South Beach,” a fourth joked.
Ultimately, the clip was in vain as LeBron opted to move to the Heat.
He linked up with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Florida, creating the so-called Big 3.
The Akron, Ohio, native would go on to win back-to-back NBA titles with Miami in 2012 and 2013.
James, 39, is currently the oldest active player in the NBA.
He became the first player in NBA history to reach 39,000 career points last fall.
LeBron is often compared to Michael Jordan in Greatest of All Time debates.
He helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a play-in tournament victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.
The four-time MVP is chasing a fifth career Championship having last won it all with the Lakers in 2020.
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Donald Trump and Robert De Niro were also featured in the clipCredit: Getty
