HOUSTON — Allan Houston sees a difference in David Lee, and it’s not the gaudy numbers. Houston sees an All-Star by his definition.
Houston, now the assistant to the president, and Latrell Sprewell are the last Knicks to make the All-Star Team — in 2001.
“I only see an All-Star as someone who helps a team win,” Houston told the Post. “I think the coaches vote for people who see that person helping their team in crucial situations to win games and not just a person putting up lot of numbers.”
The announcement on All-Star reserves will come Jan. 28. Coaches will get their ballots Jan. 22.
If the Knicks (15-20), who begin a three-game road trip tonight vs. the Rockets, continue this surge during the next two weeks and remain in playoff contention, Lee has a legitimate shot of heading to Dallas in February, breaking the Knicks’ eight-year All-Star drought.
“You can see he’s starting to see himself as an All-Star caliber player by the way he’s finishing games,” Houston said. “He’s becoming much more of a multi-dimensional player. He’s getting the ball on the elbow or the post and he can score. And he’s such a good passer he creates for somebody else.”
At 6-foot-9, Lee is not playing like an undersized center. His numbers are good enough — averaging a team-leading 18.9 points and 10.9 rebounds. Lee is ranked seventh in rebounding, sixth in shooting percentage (57.2) and already has more 20-point games (16) than last season.
“He’s made a great case for himself,” said Bobcats coach Larry Brown, who coached Lee his rookie year. “The problem is, where do you put him, power forward or center?”
Last season, Lee led the NBA in double-doubles (65), but couldn’t get a long-term contract, partly because of the Knicks’ 32-50 record and belief he is a gritty role player but not someone who could win a game.
That has changed drastically. Lee handles the ball in late decisive moments, is comfortable shooting his improved mid-range and turnaround jumper in any spot at any time and has become a pick-and-roll monster going to the hoop. He has improved his post defense, no longer pushed around.
“Whether or not he makes [the All-Star Game], I think he’s seeing himself as that type of player,” Houston said. “I think people are starting to see him that way. I think he’s having that type of year. If we were a team almost .500 going into the All-Star break, he’d get plenty of consideration.”
Coaches vote an additional two forwards, two guards, a center and two players of any position. A lot depends if coaches give Shaquille O’Neal the sympathy vote. Chris Bosh and Al Horford figure to be ahead of Lee among power forwards. Lee’s best chance is getting voted in as one of the two players of any position, and likely battle Bobcats’ Gerald Wallace.
Hornets coach Jeff Bower called Lee “maybe the best pick-and-roll big in the league” and shutting it down is the No. 1 priority for Knicks opponents.
D’Antoni said he will not lobby coaches to vote for Lee, but said, “He is deserving.”
In one way, Knicks officials are better off if he didn’t make the All-Star Game. His market value will increase when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, and the might not have enough room to fit him and a marquee free agent under the cap.
On the flip side, LeBron James could force Cleveland to do a sign-and-trade to ensure him a sixth year under the CBA, and Lee could be an important piece coming back.
Naturally Knicks fans would rather see King James and Lee pair up on the pick and roll next season, but it could happen in Dallas next month.