Lee Can’t Wait to Play D’Antoni-Style Ball

Photo Gallery: Lee's 2007-08 Season

Aug. 11, 2008

As the start of a new season -- and a new era -- of New York Knicks basketball draws closer, NYKnicks.com will sit down with the players, coaches and others closely associated with the team to discuss their thoughts on the outlook for 2008-09.

We begin the series with Knicks forward David Lee, who discusses the off-season roster changes and his thoughts on playin g head coach Mike D'Antoni's system.

NYKnicks.com: You recently had your first practice with the other guys when you were in Las Vegas, and had an opportunity to start to learn Mike D'Antoni's system. How did that go?

David Lee: I've been around Coach D'Antoni a little bit when I practiced with the Olympic team last year, and he's got a specific way that he wants the game to be played, and that's up-tempo and intense. It's a different speed than the one which you play, and the only way that you learn that style of play is by doing it in practice. Even when we had those practices out in Vegas, everything was that you've got to run, run, run. We've got to learn that style of play now if we want to do it and do it well during the season, so that was a good experience.

NYKnicks.com: Right after D'Antoni got hired, did you talk to any of your teammates about what to expect?

Lee: Well, when we ran into each other of course it's going to come up, but the key is that we are all on the same page in that we are excited about it and what we can all do together. From the outside looking in, everyone says it's got to be fun to play that kind of style of play. I don't know too many basketball players who don't enjoy getting up and down the court and fast-breaking. Now, I know it takes a high level of commitment to be in shape, and that's why I've been working as hard as I have this summer. But it's a fun system.

NYKnicks.com: What were your thoughts in the past when you would go up against D'Antoni's Phoenix teams?

Lee: Oh man … tired! (laughs) They wear you out! That style of play -- or I should really now say our style of play -- it's something that if you don't prepare for every single day, it's ridiculous. I mean it's just flat-out tough. There were times where we would come back from a game where we would face a half-court team and then have to play Phoenix, and it seems that they are going 1,000 miles per hour, but they are used to playing that way. You can usually handle it for a quarter or two, but then about the third quarter, they are still going full speed and you are getting tired and are sucking wind. So it's an interesting style to play against and I'll be happy to be playing for it this year.

NYKnicks.com: Last summer, you were coming off a season-ending injury. How has this year been different in getting a chance to prepare for the season?

Lee: Last summer, I was trying to work out really hard, but at the same time, I was really conscious not to overdo it so that the injury wouldn't linger. This summer, I've been going full blast. I was able to play 81 games this past year, and I'm really focused on getting better with my jump shot, getting better with my ball-handling and really just improving my overall conditioning so I'm ready to go and have a great year.

NYKnicks.com: You recently finished running your own summer camp for kids. How was that experience?

Lee: That's really fun for me because it's amazing how much I can learn just from teaching kids in camp. Just being around the game, its fun. The opportunities I've been given -- what can I say? I am trying to give back as much as I can, and I want to show kids just how much fun basketball can be, how enjoyable the game can be and, of course, teach them a couple of things. The biggest thing with camp is that you can pick up little things here and there, but, of course, enjoying yourself is a huge part of it.

NYKnicks.com: You had a chance to play with Anthony Roberson in college at Florida. Now, he will be a teammate with the Knicks. What can you tell Knicks fans about him?

Lee: Well Anthony, he's a heck of a scorer. I'd almost relate him to a Daniel Gibson or Jannero Pargo. He's one of those guys that can come off the bench for you, and even if he doesn't come in until the third quarter or so, with all the veteran guards we have, he's a guy that can come in and give you 12 or 14 points in a quarter without even warming up. That's a very rare player, especially at this level to do that. He's also a great guy, and a guy that I think will really help our team.

NYKnicks.com: What did you see out of Danilo Gallinari in your practices, as well as his limited playing time during Summer League?

Lee: I'm really excited about him. He's going to be fun to play alongside of. I've been working out with him for a couple of weeks, and I think his skill level is what made me initially very excited about his future. His ability to shoot, pass, dribble and everything he can do, and it makes him a huge threat from the outside. And being a threat at the three spot at that size, it's a pretty special combination.

NYKnicks.com: Speaking of new players coming into the fold, what are your thoughts on getting a chance to play with Chris Duhon?

Lee: Chris is a guy that I've played against for three years here now, and I also played against him in college. I've seen what he can do. The first thing that comes to mind where he can really help our team is having a guard at the one and two spot that can really defend. I think he can guard a couple of different positions. And I'll say that he's a consistent guy offensively that is a pass first style of guard, but he can also hit the open shot. You know, I think he's going to be a good guy character-wise and everything, so I'm excited.

NYKnicks.com: Have you set any specific personal goals for this season, and if so, what are they?

Lee: You know, it's tough to say at this point. It's going to be interesting to see what happens, what moves are made in the next month or two or if any moves are going to be made at all. I think Mr. (Donnie) Walsh has a great mind and knows the pulse of this team. I think from there, we'll be able to see what our team can do.

NYKnicks.com: You mentioned before that you are really working hard on your jump shot this summer. Towards the end of last year, you clearly started to add that to your repertoire and really began to hit it pretty consistently. Are you comfortable with where you are at with your jumper or do you still consider it a work in progress?

Lee: That's basically what I start my days working on and finishing the day working on. It's something that hopefully people in the next couple of years are going to say 'I can't remember when that guy didn't have a good jump shot.' Yeah, I was more comfortable using it last year, but I want it to be one of the strengths of my game. That's why I keep working on it.

NYKnicks.com: A lot of fans keep coming up to you and it seems they all want to know your thoughts on the team's future.

Lee: Yeah, and I keep telling them the truth -- we are heading in the right direction. Whether they want to believe it or not, that's another story (laughs), but I think when the season rolls around they will see a Knicks team they can be proud of.

NYKnicks.com: When you talk about a team headed in the "right direction", what sort of specifi things are you referring to?

Lee: Well, everywhere I've been, people are asking me about (D'Antoni). And I keep telling them it's going to be exciting. When I was out in Vegas, we were running a lot and getting ready. Guys are getting in shape. We're excited and we're ready. The biggest thing is that the positive change is on the way, and I think we're going to have an exciting group this year, and the fans that have stuck with us like last year, it's going to be great times ahead for us.

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