- Pablo Torre released a never-before-seen Knicks recruitment video aimed at Kawhi Leonard.
- The clip is an SNL-style sketch featuring Jay Pharoah, Jason Biggs and other celebs.
- The Knicks also made similar videos for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant that failed.
- Teams now rely more on money and roster, not goofy recruitment productions.
Pablo Torre digs up a cringe Knicks recruitment tape
On Dec. 19, media personality Pablo Torre aired a throwback Knicks recruitment video that the team made while trying to woo Kawhi Leonard. The clip — a Saturday Night Live-style sketch — features lookalike portrayals and celebrity cameos and quickly drew attention for its awkward tone.
What’s in the video?
The Leonard-focused segment opens like a mock sketch. Jay Pharoah plays Kawhi Leonard watching a recruitment film about himself, only for the skit to reveal more caricature than charm. The production includes notable names such as Jason Biggs, Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, Ben Stiller, Tracy Morgan and Al Roker in cameo roles.
Why it missed the mark
Kawhi Leonard is famously private and low-key. The Knicks’ attempt to sell him on New York through broad comedy and celebrity cameos apparently misread his personality. According to Torre’s coverage, the video didn’t even prompt Leonard to meet with the franchise.
More failed pitches: Irving and Durant
Torre also made public recruitment attempts the Knicks sent to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Irving’s clip arrived inside a Knicks-branded tube TV and leaned on Rucker Park legends and a forward-looking montage of Irving’s imagined impact in New York. That pitch landed better in tone but still failed to sway Irving.
Durant’s recruitment, previously revealed by Torre, took the form of a music video with a Wu-Tang Clan theme. Like Leonard and Irving, Durant ultimately signed elsewhere — all three landed with Brooklyn in 2019.
What this means for free-agent recruitment
The episode underscores a simple lesson for front offices: players decide on more than spectacle. Modern stars weigh money, championship potential, roster fit and stability over viral recruitment stunts. The Knicks’ attempts, however well-intentioned, read as dated and out of touch when judged by outcomes.
Legacy and timing
The resurfacing comes as the Knicks enjoy renewed success on the court, a reminder that on-court results trump off-court showmanship. Torre’s reveal is also a cautionary tale for teams: creative pitches can generate headlines, but they won’t replace a compelling roster and clear plan.
For fans, the footage is a curious piece of Knicks lore — a behind-the-scenes look at how far the franchise’s recruiting tactics have come, and a clear signal that money and fit usually win where sketch comedy does not.
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