The New York Knicks got to have the final word with Carmelo Anthony after his tour around the country visiting team and they are hoping that will be enough. After taking visits in Chicago, Houston and Dallas, Melo had his last scheduled meeting with the Lakers yesterday. With the pressure on the Knicks made a move to schedule their meeting right after he talked with the Lakers. They flew out from New York to meet with him and give their final push before he is expected to decide early next week. All reports say they officially offered the max deal. Hit the jump.

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New York can offer Anthony the most money of any of his suitors, a maximum contract worth $129 million over five seasons. Other suitors can offer Anthony a max contract worth $96 million over four years.

Anthony did not give the Knicks an answer or a timetable on his decision Thursday night, a source said. He will take the long weekend to think things through, the source said.

Kobe Bryant was never able to make the meeting the Lakers had with Melo because he was literally in the air on his way to Los Angeles when the Knicks said they had to move up the time of their meeting which forced the Lakers to proceed earlier than expected without Kobe.

When asked by reporters after the Lakers’ pitch whether he was meeting with Bryant later Thursday night, Anthony said, “We’ll see.”

This will be the longest weekend ever for Knicks fans and fans of the NBA in general.