Detroit, of course, did exactly that, in 1989 and 1990.

On October 11th 2007 another one of Thomas’ most fervent wishes will come true when the Knicks play a preseason game against many-time Israeli League champion Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv. The proceeds will benefit Migdal Ohr (Tower of Light), Israel’s leading charity helping at-risk, impoverished, orphaned, and underprivileged children.

“We’ve been trying to put this game together for last two years,” said Thomas. “We knew it would be a big event here in New York. Basketball is a global game. And the thing that I’m most touched about is the people who we will help. It’s only so many times you get an opportunity to reach out and touch kids to help them in very significant ways. And that’s what this is all about, to touch lives.”

“I’m from a family of nine -- and I was one of those kids who were at risk. So I understand those lives. We’ll help some kids who we may never meet or know. But that’s really what basketball is all about, much more than just winning or losing. When you have the opportunity to touch peoples’ lives, that’s what makes the game important.”

“I’m happy and I’m proud to be a part of this game.”

Ambassador Arye Mekel, Council General of Israel in New York, heartily agreed. “This game will highlight the strength of sport in bringing people together,” he said. “People talk about Israel all too often in terms of war, or terror, or all kinds of other problems. It’ll be nice to be talked about in another context.”

“Migdal Ohr Youth Village has been involved in helping children for over 30 years,” said Tony Fromer, a leading Board member of the charity. ”We work with over 6500 children. Now, thanks to the New York Knicks, Migdal Ohr will continue to grow and we’ll be able to help hundreds, if not thousands, more children. We’ll be able to build new dorms, classes, and programs and help them develop meaningful lives.”

“This will be a historic game.”

“When it comes to sports, Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv is the best Israel has to offer,” added Israeli sports hero Tal Brody. “The club has won an incredible 47 Israeli Championships, including 14 in a row, and 5 European Championships. It’s a team that, in fact, transcends sports. It’s a team that Israelis take a tremendous pride in.”

In 2005, Maccabi Tel Aviv became the first non-NBA team to defeat a NBA team on North American soil when it beat the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Maccabi often has had eight to ten thousand fans travel to road games in places as far away as Moscow, Belgrade and Paris.

“Don’t be surprised if this game is a sellout,” Brody told Thomas with a smile. “Or if a lot of the fans root for Maccabi Tel Aviv.”