MIAMI – LeBron James started it 15 months ago at Carmelo Anthony’s wedding when he advised the soon-to-be Knick that Anthony and Chris Paul should join forces with Amar’e Stoudemire in New York. That partnership, according to James, would give the trio their best chance of competing for an NBA championship.

So when it came time to pick teams for the South Florida All-Star Classics here on Saturday, James had an easy choice to make.

“Do you think Knick fans liked that?” Anthony asked. “I’m sure they did. I liked it.”

James gave Stoudemire, Anthony and Paul the opportunity to be teammates for one night at least. That the game was played at Florida International University and with Isiah Thomas in the building is no coincidence because Thomas, according to sources, helped the Knicks obtain both Stoudemire and Anthony and is working behind the scenes to bring Paul to New York as well.

Thomas, the coach at FIU, was instrumental in bringing Saturday’s game to the FIU campus and he seemed to have a hand in every aspect of the event. Proceeds from it were directed to Mary’s Court, an educational foundation named after his late mother. Thomas and his wife, Lynn, sat courtside while their son, Joshua, a New York-based disc jockey, provided the music.

The event was important for the Knicks because it marked the first time since April that Stoudemire had played in a competitive game. Stoudemire, who suffered a back injury prior to Game 2 against Boston, is probably a few weeks away from regaining his top form. But the fact that he’s playing again is an encouraging development.

“I thought he looked great,” Anthony said.

Stoudemire has been a regular on the FIU campus, working out with Thomas’ players and even attending classes with them. He even has a new nickname, “Renaissance Man,” which is what Thomas called Stoudemire on Saturday.

No one knows what title to give Thomas, who remains close friends with Garden chairman James Dolan and says he’ll always root for the Knicks. Thomas is probably something between the de facto general manager and an unpaid adviser.

When asked about the Knicks’ chances for the upcoming season, he agreed that Stoudemire and Anthony are the right building blocks.

“I think they have a chance to be extremely successful,” Thomas said. “Both of those men, Carmelo and Stoudemire even with Chauncey (Billups), their mentality is they want to win. Carmelo’s won in college. He understands how to win. They’re tough enough to go out and win and win big and have big moments in playoff situations.”

Billups is the one proven winner on the team, but he has an expiring contract, which many teams covet. For the Knicks to have a shot to trade for Paul, they’ll likely have to use Billups in a potential deal.

Under that scenario, the Knicks would have exactly what Miami has: three All-Stars and a legitimate chance to make a title run.

“With the talent of (Dwyane) Wade, James and (Chris) Bosh, if that’s the model, it’s going to be pretty tough for a lot of teams to (deal) with,” Thomas said.

Besides, why does this *news* always come out of New York? And why do they need Isiah when CP3 has been on a Jordan Brand tour of China with, and playing pick up games with Carmelo Anthony all summer long? LOL! What do they need Isiah to woo CP3 for? Sure, players respect Isiah as a player but not as a coach and surely not as a darn GM.

It’s like the NY Post and other NY media have to keep repeating themselves as if they’re trying hard to make themselves believe what they’re saying. If he’s going to be a Knick, he’s going to be a Knick. If he’s going to be a Laker, he’s going to be a Laker. And oh yeah, Chris Paul is going to play for the Knicks for $5.

Whatever happens, happens.

by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

To the endless chagrin of New York Knicks fans (and some of the team’s employees), Isiah Thomas’ influence within MSG doesn’t appear to be shrinking.

If anything — even though he’s not allowed to officially work for the Knicks while he coaches college kids — Isiah appears to have more power within the organization than before.

Amar’e Stoudemire is one of several NBA players currently working out at FIU, and according to the NY Daily News, Isiah Thomas (and Knicks owner James Dolan) are hoping to use this opportunity and others to help lure Chris Paul to New York:

ESPN reported that Stoudemire was working out at FIU which happens to be the school Isiah coaches when he isn’t serving as a de facto GM of the Knicks. There were several NBA players working out at FIU, including Atlanta’s Joe Johnson. None of this is surprising since FIU is located in a favored city among NBA players: Miami. Plus, Isiah continues to share a close relationship with some of the league’s top players. That would including Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e and more importantly, Chris Paul.

This is the reason James Dolan continues to lean on Isiah for advice, even though Isiah doesn’t have an official position with the Knicks. (If he did, Isiah would be in violation of NBA bylaws for having contact with players during the lockout). Isiah played a role in the Knicks signing Amar’e two summer’s ago and he played a role in the Melo trade. He’s now working behind the scenes to help the Knicks land Chris Paul.

Knicks fans may rightfully hate that Zeke continues to be involved with their team in any capacity, but if his endless behind-the-scenes machinations help land Chris Paul, one gets the feeling that they’ll quickly forgive and forget his past sins.