By Tom Beattie & Tom Beattie In a unique attempt to sign LeBron James at the peak of his NBA powers, the New York Knicks enlisted James Gandolfini to reprise his iconic role from “The Sopranos” for a mini episode. The legendary HBO series had ended in 2007, but three years later, the late actor’s desire to see the forward play in New York was still strong. Amid competition for the then-free agent, Gandolfini pulled out all the stops to lure “The King” to Madison Square Garden. Gandolfini reprised his famous role as mafia boss Tony Soprano, even joined by on-screen wife Edie Falco, who thought …