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'King of New York' LeBron James takes a bow after his latest star turn at MSG

LeBron James stares down the crowd at Madison Square Garden after dropping the dagger that slayed the Knicks on Monday. (Getty)
LeBron James stares down the crowd at Madison Square Garden after dropping the dagger that slayed the Knicks on Monday. (Getty)

LeBron James put a period at the end of another entertaining bit of New York City drama on Monday night when he dropped a dagger 3-pointer right in the eye of Manhattan marvel Kristaps Porzingis to cap a 23-point second-half comeback. The morning after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 104-101 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, he decided to add an exclamation point.

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You're welcome.. of NY #myfavoriteplayground #striveforgreatness

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Nov 14, 2017 at 7:26am PST

James took to Instagram on Tuesday morning with a photo of him standing on the Knicks logo at half-court in the World’s Most Famous Arena, and added the pitch-perfect caption: “You’re welcome.”

To that, King James tacked on a crown emoji, proclaiming himself “King of NY,” and added the hashtag “#myfavoriteplayground.” Fitting, considering how he spent three quarters just sort of playing around in the Knicks’ home gym before deciding it was time to take his ball, and the Knicks’ hearts, and go home.

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“It’s never another game at the Garden,’’ James said after scoring or assisting on 30 of the Cavaliers’ 43 fourth-quarter points, and taking the primary defensive responsibility on Porzingis, hounding the Knicks’ 7-foot-3 scoring star into near-invisibility in the deciding frame. “Best basketball arena in the world. Being an opposing guy being able to perform on the stage is always a treat.’’

And getting to walk off with a win — a dramatic, decisive, stylish and satisfying win — makes it all the sweeter.

The last time a performer at the peak of his powers dropped into New York and claimed the city’s throne, Kendrick Lamar set the world on fire … and the Knick who took it upon himself to respond and defend the city’s honor back then plays for LeBron’s team now.

It seems to me there’s only one solution: it’s time to find out if Enes Kanter’s got bars. Streets is watching, Enes. Get in the lab.

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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at devine@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!

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