All-Star Lee earning respect around NBA

David Lee was sitting in an office at the Knicks' complex after a recent practice, watching a tape of a game that was played nine long years ago.

Lee pointed to the screen as Allan Houston launched a three-pointer over a sea of players wearing Lakers and Suns and Spurs jerseys. Lee smiled and pondered what it would feel like to share the basketball floor with the best talent in the NBA, what it would be like to be the first Knick to play in an All-Star Game since Houston and Latrell Sprewell did so in 2001.

"It's about being a part of something that's bigger than I am," Lee said. "This organization hasn't had an All-Star in a while."

It has one now. Though Lee initially wasn't picked for tonight's All-Star Game in Dallas - the Knicks' 19-32 record appears to have been a major deterrent - NBA commissioner David Stern added Lee to the Eastern Conference roster Thursday. Lee, who is averaging 20.0 points and 11.4 rebounds, replaces Allen Iverson, who pulled out of the game because of a family illness.

Tonight's game is the latest chapter in what could be a career-changing season for Lee. One of only three NBA players averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, Lee has earned respect around the NBA.

When the All-Star reserves were announced, after being passed over himself, Shaquille O'Neal told reporters that it was more disappointing to him that Lee had not been chosen. And Eastern Conference coach Stan Van Gundy said Friday that Lee had worked hard to achieve much more than most expected when he entered the league as the 30th pick in the 2005 draft.

In almost all assessments of Lee, the common thread that comes through is hard work.

"I'm extremely happy for D- Lee and how he has continuously challenged himself to get better every day," said Houston, who has a front-office title and works closely with the Knicks' coaching staff.

This season began with the ultimate challenge for Lee when the Knicks - who are owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday - offered him only a one-year contract. Other NBA teams were in cost-cutting mode too, so Lee decided to take it as a challenge.

"At first, your ego comes into it and you say, 'Oh, man,' " Lee said. "But then you say maybe this was supposed to happen. Instead of hanging my head about not getting a five- or six-year deal, I just went right back to work and tried to improve my game and make a statement."

Part of the statement that Lee is looking to make is that he likes New York and wants to stay here. He owns a place in White Plains and took out a one-year lease on an apartment in the celebrity-laden Time Warner Center in Manhattan. He enjoys being a city dweller and hanging out with his girlfriend, actress Sabina Gadecki.

But Lee has spent most of his time concentrating on his game. He is a big believer in eating well and getting a lot of sleep. He also is a big believer in routine and ritual. For example, before every game he eats the same meal: two bagels with peanut butter and a couple of bananas. "I'm a little bit borderline obsessive-compulsive about the whole thing," he said. "I just try to have the best preparation of anybody, to be the most prepared."

That preparation has transformed Lee from a guy who mostly was considered a rebounder into one who has 31 double-doubles this season. Helped by his exceptional ability to shoot with either hand, he is averaging four points per game more than his previous seasonal high of 16.0 in 2008-09. He also is an improved passer, averaging 3.5 assists per game.

When Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni took over the team at the beginning of last season, he mistakenly saw Lee as a "good player but limited." Now there seem to be fewer and fewer limits on what Lee can do.

Last week, on the day before Stern chose him for the All-Star Game, Lee was one of 27 NBA players named to Team USA. But there is one more cut he wants to make. When the Knicks reconfigure their team through free agency this summer, he hopes to be part of the plan.

Said Lee: "New York is where I want to be. I've enjoyed my time here. I think they've enjoyed having me here. I've definitely enjoyed growing with the Knicks the past couple of years. I think we're headed in the right direction."