With a light snow-rain mix falling from gray London skies, there was little activity outside the O2 Arena on Monday morning.

On a day global warming forgot, workers walked briskly to their destinations just outside the North Greenwich subway stop.

Just inside the building that hasn't been standing 10 years, crowds were sparse as shops and restaurants awaited the lunch rush.

And aside from one sign featuring Pistons Brandon Knight, Rodney Stuckey, Jonas Jerebko and Knicks Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Steve Novak, there weren't any signs that the NBA was about to descend upon the O2.

But the scene will change Thursday when a sell-out crowd will watch the Pistons play the Knicks in what will be the league's 16th regular-season game in a foreign market...