David Lee responded to the All-Star game snub with a sense of modesty.

?It was disappointing. It would?ve been a really cool experience, but the guys that got in were all very deserving.,? Lee said. ?All those guys are tremendous players and it?s great to even be mentioned in that group or to be in the conversation.?

D'Antoni did say he talked to Lee, and told him that often there is a lag period for people to recognize that level of play.

"He knows he's tied to the Knicks and the Knicks have got to get better," D'Antoni said.

?Next year,? D?Antoni told Lee, ?keep your numbers up, keep going, keep playing hard, we?ll get the team a little better, get a winning record, and get you in there.?