NBA Notebook | Big Apple courts King James

NEW YORK — Even Spike Lee, that noted Knicks superfan, was a LeBron James guy Tuesday night.

And when New York guard Nate Robinson, the former UW star, saw the producer had turned traitor and was wearing a pair of the special red "Big Apple" sneakers James was debuting for this game, he immediately began stepping on Lee's foot.

"Stop!" Lee said. "He's going to be your teammate."

That's what Knicks fans hope, anyway.

James' first visit to Madison Square Garden this season came just days after the Knicks made a pair of trades that freed up salary cap space for a potential run at the Cleveland Cavaliers' superstar in the summer of 2010.

It had the feel of an NBA Finals game — James' pregame press conference of some 50 media members.

James was loudly cheered during introductions by a crowd that included his buddy, rapper Jay-Z — who might prefer James goes to New Jersey, the team he partly owns — and every time he touched the ball in the early minutes. The Cavs won 119-101.

But he's uncomfortable talking about the idea.

"I am flattered [by] the rumors going around that they would love me to be part of their team," he said. "But right now I'm with the Cavs. But to answer the question, yes. Every team hopes someday maybe to make a push at trying to get me in two years, and we'll see what happens."

Notes

• Bucks center Andrew Bogut will be sidelined for a week to 10 days after sustaining a bone bruise to his left knee Monday.

• The trade that sent Zach Randolph from New York to the Clippers was completed Tuesday, though Cuttino Mobley still wasn't available to play for the Knicks. The deal was hung up when the Knicks reportedly learned of a heart condition during Mobley's physical. Randolph was prevented from playing Monday because of the delay. New York waived the physical requirement so the deal could be finalized.

• Heat forward Dorell Wright was expected to miss at least three weeks after having surgery Tuesday to remove debris from his left knee.

• Civil rights activist Clara Luper, who participated in a sit-in at a segregated lunch counter in downtown Oklahoma City in 1958, was honored at halftime of the Phoenix game.

• Phoenix reserve Leandro Barbosa returned after missing five games to return to Brazil following the death of his mother.