Pablo Torre Finds Out Exclusive: We Found the Knicks' Top-Secret Tapes for Kawhi, Kyrie and KD
Dec 19, 2025
Join seasoned New York sports journalist Frank Isola and comedian Desus Nice as they delve into the Knicks' ambitious recruitment efforts. Hear about the unforgettable 2010 LeBron video and the over-the-top pitches for stars like Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving, including a quirky pizza-box monitor. Their humorous banter explores why these celebrity-filled efforts ultimately flopped and whether star athletes can be swayed by hip cultural references. Packed with New York anecdotes, this conversation brings the city’s vibrant energy to life.
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Knicks' 2010 LeBron Recruitment Tape
- The Knicks made a star recruitment tape for LeBron in 2010 featuring famous faces like Donald Trump and Spike Lee.
- Pablo and guests replayed and mocked the tape while highlighting its lavish celebrity cameo strategy.
Celebrity Cameos Aren't Sufficient
- The Knicks learned from past celebrity-focused pitches and tried again in 2019 to leverage New York's entertainment cachet.
- Pablo frames the 2019 effort as a quiet lesson in how celebrity alone doesn't guarantee a superstar signing.
Translation Built Bespoke Recruitment Campaigns
- In 2019 the Knicks hired Translation and spent seven figures to create bespoke recruitment packages for Kawhi, KD, and Kyrie.
- Charles Barnes explains the idea was to craft intimate, personalized assets acting like Cyrano de Bergerac for the team.