Knicks Knacks

David Lee never complains on the record, so when a swarm of television cameras and radio mics jumped in after I started asking questions this afternoon, I knew where the interview was going.

He said all of the right things.

And really, even if the horde went elsewhere, I suspect Lee would’ve been just as positive. He knows it makes no sense to whine about playing time in the middle of a winning streak. Even if it is only two games long.

Here’s the interview …

Q: Are you affected by the reduced minutes?

DL: “Well, I mean, we’ve got two big guys in front of me who are playing real good ball right now. Zach is playing tremendous, and Eddy, of course, is going to be a centerpiece for us. It’s something I’ll have to accept. I’ll have my opportunities. We haven’t had any games where either of those guys have gotten into foul trouble or anything like that. Everybody has their off games. It’s not anything I’m too worried about. I just have to do the best I can while I’m in there.”

Q: Does it help that you’ve been dealing with this situation since you got here?

DL: “Yeah, it’s not like I’ve played 35 minutes since I’ve been here and all of the sudden my minutes have dropped this year and I’m wondering why. I feel like I’m playing good ball and I’m contributing when I’m out there. My numbers are only a little bit less than last year, like two points and two rebounds less. It’s something I’ve got to accept. We’ve won these last two games, and hopefully we’ll win a lot more as the season goes on.”

Q: What about your field goal percentage (.500)?

DL: “I guess right now it’s about 50 percent. Last year, it was higher. I had a couple I should’ve finished, but those things come and go. I might have a couple of games where I don’t miss a shot and a couple where you don’t finish as many as you want to. Like I said, it’s an adjustment I have to make right now playing a couple less minutes, and if it helps us win, fine.”

Q: How do you handle a limited window in terms of playing time? Do you try harder? Let the game come to you?

DL: “All I can really do is play the way I know how to play regardless of how many minutes I think I’m going to get. I haven’t thought too much about it. I just try to go out there and play my game.”

I forgot to inquire about the leg injury, but we haven’t seen any signs of a lingering issue. There’s no bucket of ice or huge ice wrap after games. He’s still pogo-stick fast off the floor. Sometimes, the hands seem to be a little clumsier.

As for slowing down to force a trade, that’s a backwards approach. He is an energy player. Those guys have to go full speed all of the time or they won’t find minutes on any team.

So there you have it.

We’ll do more on Boston tomorrow, but here’s my favorite quote of the day. I keep hearing about the Celtics having no depth. Heck, I’ve written it myself. So I asked Isiah Thomas whether it really matters whether Boston is weak 4 through 12.

“It’s funny, the Celtics have always had a lack of depth,” he said. “I remember when we were coming up you had to beat Parish, Bird, McHale and those guys. And you always said, ‘Boy, if we could ever get to Greg Kite, we’ll be OK,’ but we never managed to get to Greg Kite. You always saw those three guys.”

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