(Big C) It’s been happening for years. We have seen players come and go and  say the famous phrase “I would not mind playing in New York.” Or just flat out “I want to play in New York”. The newest member that has joined the “I Love New York Club ” is Chris Paul.

But Knicks fans have heard this all before. It’s the latest marketing craze where pro athletes devise a strategy, under the direction of their publicists, to draw in media and fan attention to them.

New York is the media capital of the world and manipulating the New York media has a big payoff.  A couple years back we saw Erick Dampier use the “I love NY” scheme, acting as if  he wanted to come to the Knicks. The result was a big payday from the Warriors.

Last summer Jason Kidd and Grant Hill used the scheme to get re-signed by their respective teams for the contract they were looking for. Teams and fans are taking the bait.

In 2010 the I love New York scheme has been upgraded. No longer is it just a public announcement about wanting to be in New York.   Now the “I love NY” announcement has been combined with adding Yankees hats to your wardrobe and being seen with New York celebrities.

So what’s up with the Yankees hat? If you wear a Yankees hat and show up at a few New York events with the hat on, the fans and the media will be eating this all up.  First it was Lebron James for about two years.  Now it’s Chris Paul. If he goes anywhere that there will be media coverage you can believe his publicist is telling him “wear that Yankees hat”.  For all we know he probably has a spare hat in every one of his cars.

Knicks fans, stop being manipulated by these players. Only believe that a player is coming to New York if there is talk about them getting ready to sign a contract with the Knicks. This message is not just about Chris Paul but this goes for any player with a “Hustle and Flow” attitude toward New York, just so they can get what they want.

When I was growing up I was taught not to get fooled by a pretty face and a smile. Find out what’s really going on in a person’s head.  So my advice to other Knicks fan is don’t get seduced by the “I Love New York” scheme. Wait until they really sign before you put your heart into it.