At midnight on July 1st, the free agency market officially opened. However, this was merely the beginning of the "moratorium" period. From the 1st to the 6th, teams show their sincerity to players, while players weigh the contract offers on the table. Verbal agreements made during this time have no legal standing, and while players rarely back out due to the hit their reputation would take, history has seen exceptions like Carlos Boozer and DeAndre Jordan.
At noon on July 6th, the Knicks held a formal signing press conference for their new trio: Luke Thorne, Stephen Curry, and Danny Green. Following his father's wishes, Luke chose the number 9 jersey. Curry stuck with the family tradition, taking number 30, while Danny Green opted for number 14.
The interview portion of the conference was a headache for Luke. The American basketball world was drowning in skepticism, with almost every outlet calling the Knicks' decision to pick Luke at number six a massive blunder.
"Luke, there are claims that your video with Carmelo Anthony was staged and that you don't actually have the talent of a sixth-overall pick. People say you are purely a product of hype and self-promotion. How do you view this?" a reporter asked, a smug expression on his face as if he had already uncovered the ultimate truth.
Luke shifted the microphone, quirked an eyebrow, and replied calmly, "I view it sitting down."
Next to him, Steph burst out laughing. Luke's mental gymnastics were truly something else.
"Please answer my question directly," the reporter snapped, his brow furrowed. If a superstar had said that, he would have taken it as a joke, but coming from a controversial rookie, he felt mocked.
Luke shifted his body to face the reporter head-on. "I am answering you directly now. I view it sitting down." He paused, then added, "I believe my angle is quite direct enough now."
"You... I will be filing a complaint with the league!" the reporter threatened, visibly incensed. He sat down and immediately began plotting how to report Luke. NBA regulations state players must answer media questions without evasion or face fines.
Luke couldn't have cared less. Seeing the atmosphere turn cold, Donnie Walsh signaled the PR team to wrap things up. The PR official stepped up, offered a few polite closing remarks, and declared the conference over.
Once the reporters had cleared out, Walsh turned to Luke. "Luke, being young and aggressive is fine, but you have to pick your spots. You can't offend these media people, or they will make your life miserable." Stephon Marbury was a prime example; he was playing well for the Knicks until he crossed the media, leading to a relentless smear campaign that contributed to his exit from the NBA.
"Don't worry, Donnie. I know what I'm doing," Luke replied. "In my culture, we say: 'If someone respects me a foot, I respect them ten feet.' I'll prove myself with my performance."
Luke wasn't afraid. In the age of YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, the traditional media no longer held a monopoly on public opinion. As long as he played well and maintained his own social platforms, their words would eventually ring hollow.
Mike D'Antoni, who had also attended the signing, addressed the three rookies. "Get yourselves ready. Tomorrow you fly to Las Vegas for the Summer League. Put on a show—especially you, Luke. I'm counting on you."
D'Antoni, a man who had lived and breathed basketball his entire life, didn't believe for a second that the video was fake. He knew Carmelo Anthony had too much pride to stage a defensive highlight reel for a rookie. The media was simply manufacturing drama for clicks. A Chinese perimeter player drafted in the lottery was the perfect "hot topic."
"Count on it, Coach! I'll show them," Luke nodded. He was genuinely looking forward to the Summer League.
This would be his first battle to reclaim his name.