I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to interview Knicks center, and soon to be free agent, David Lee thanks to Tanqueray at the Kimberly Hotel in Manhattan. Tanqueray threw a party at the rooftop bar of the Kimberly Hotel and invited me to interview David and enjoy flowing gin.

I must say, he’s a down to earth guy. He spoke and joked with me for about five minutes before the interview and spoke with me more after the interview too. I didn’t care if I was wasting interview time chatting with him about things other than sports. How often am I going to have the chance to sit down with an athlete at a rooftop bar and just chat?

June 16, 2010 9:10 p.m. Interview Transcript:

Empire Sports Now: Have you spoken to Nate Robinson since the Finals started?

David: I haven’t. I texted with him during the last round. I’m really happy for him. I think that everybody on our team has played with him and knows what kind of guy he is. He’s very happy that he’s having the chance to pursue his dream right now.

Empire Sports Now: What kind of training and workouts have you been doing this summer?

David: I always take about a month off when the season is over. That’s just to let your body recuperate and relax, and kind of get away from the game for a little bit. Since then I’ve gotten back in the gym and I’ve just been working out hard with our coaches on the court and staying, more than anything, in cardio shape. I’ve been expanding my three-point range, so I’ve been shooting a lot of threes.

Empire Sports Now: Have you spoken to Gallo or Chandler this summer?

David: Wilson’s been in getting rehab because he had surgery, so he’s been in every single day. Gallo’s been over in Italy, but when he was here we spoke a little bit. I know some of our coaches went over there and he’s been working his butt off in Italy. Those guys both look like they’re pretty much on the right track right now.

Empire Sports Now: You’ve been working out at the Knicks’ facilities, have the Knicks discussed any contract plans with you?

David: You can’t have a whole lot of contact until July 1, but they told me what they’ve told everyone else. They’re going to go after LeBron and those guys, and that’s kind of their first plan of action. Quite frankly, that’s what they promised the media and fans, and everybody’s excited about the possibility of LeBron coming here. After that, they’re going to get around to the rest of the guys. Like it or dislike it, that’s their plan and you can’t blame them for that because LeBron’s obviously the first or second best player in the league.

Empire Sports Now: Tell me about your All-Star experience.

David: Really cool experience this year. Something I’ll never forget. Not only was it great to be in the All-Star game, but also to have it be in Dallas in that kind of venue with 118,000 people was something that even the guys that have been in 10 or 12 All-Star games were walking in like, “Oh my god, I’ve never seen anything like this before.” It was a really cool place to have my first All-Star game and hopefully it’s not my last.

Empire Sports Now: Have you talked to any of the other free agents about maybe joining up with them for free agency or is that not something you really do?

David: Not so much. Everybody’s asking if they’re going to have this summit or if they’re not, or who’s going to be involved. First of all, I don’t think anything like that would happen and second of all, for me at this point, I’ve worked very, very hard and it’s about finding the best situation for me, my family and girlfriend. From there, it’s a combination of being in a city that I enjoy and being on a team that has a chance to win. Obviously the financial side plays a part, but all of those things combined are more important than where other guys are going.

Empire Sports Now: Do you feel like it’s been hard to play for the Knicks because of all the turmoil in the organization during the five years you’ve been with the team? Do you feel like it’s affected the team on the court at all?

David: There’s been about 50 years of drama in a five year period between coaches, off the court stuff, and player changes, but I love it here in New York. I’ve loved my five years here. It’s a tough city not to win in. If I were to come back here, just as the Knicks would want to have the same thing happen if they had me back here, it needs to be in a situation where we’re going to win. That’s the commitment that they’re making right now by going after the top free agents. I think the Knicks are headed in the right direction. It’s no fun to lose here in any sport. Basketball, probably right behind the Yankees, is the second most unenjoyable sport to lose in here. New York is a wonderful place, the fans are great, and I’ve enjoyed my time here so far.

Empire Sports Now: Do you go to a lot of Yankee games?

David: I go to a couple each year. Actually, I’m going tomorrow night. I’ll be there against Philly. It’s amazing how much this city rallies around its sports. That’s what makes New York so special is the fans and their enthusiasm.

Nate Robinson is heading to Boston, along with Marcus Landry, for Eddie House, JR Giddens and Bill Walker. No picks are involved in the deal. The deal was supposedly agreed to yesterday, but the specifics of the deal were hazy. 

Yesterday, rumors swirled that the Knicks would receive a second round pick from Boston in the deal. Then it was rumored it would be a first round pick. It’s appalling to me that the Celtics would even entertain the idea of giving up any draft pick for Robinson. 

Eddie House reunites with his former coach, Mike D’Antoni, who worked together in Phoenix during the 2005-06 season. House is a player that I can foresee the Knicks re-signing this summer if it works out financially.

The Knicks’ trade rumor mill was buzzing all day but the Knicks only made a minor trade a day before the trade deadline.

The Knicks received some cap relief for this season by trading Darko Milicic to the Timberwolves for Brian Cardinal. The Knicks are expected to waive Cardinal in order to open a roster spot.

The Knicks also got word that the NBA is granting the Knicks $9.5 million of cap relief for the retired Cuttino Mobley. 

Three major rumors surrounded the Knicks all day and as of the day’s end, none of them are official.

One trade has Nate Robinson going to the Boston Celtics for assets unknown. Reports went back and forth all day about the specifics but up to 15 hours before the deadline, nothing is clear. Eddie House is probably a sure piece that would go to the Knicks. Along with House, there were rumors that the Knicks would also receive either Boston’s first round pick, second round pick, or JR Giddens. If Boston actually surrenders a pick for Nate, it would be an incredible trade for the Knicks. Eddie House is a guy that can play well in D’Antoni’s system and I could foresee the Knicks re-signing him tis summer. But House would be icing on the cake if the Knicks get a pick from Boston.

Nate Robinson missed the last two games due to illness and before the Knicks home game against the Bulls, Nate’s locker was cleaned out and empty. A deals seems imminent. Of all the trade rumors surrounding the Knicks, Nate being traded to the Celtics is the most likely to happen.

The Knicks are also rumored to be close to a deal for Tracy McGrady. Reports say the Knicks and Bulls are the two teams vying for McGrady’s services. Some reports say the Rockets may decide not to trade McGrady if they don’t think they are getting enough back in return. In the end, I think the Knicks will land McGrady before the 3 p.m. deadline Thursday. The holdup seems to be the Knicks reluctance to part with Jordan Hill and their 2012 first round pick.

Another rumor has the Knicks sending Al Harrington to the Bulls for Tyrus Thomas and Jerome James. This trade depends somewhat on who the Rockets trade with because Thomas would most likely go to Houstin if McGrady gets shipped to the Bulls. Thomas and James’ contracts expire after this season.

There’s a decent chance that the Knicks pull off three pretty big trades within the next 15 hours. 

There hasn’t been this much buzz about the Knicks before the trade deadline in years.

According to Alan Hahn of Newsday, Nate Robinson is headed to Boston. Hahn first said the Celtics would give the Knicks Eddie House and a 2nd round pick, but has since said the specifics are unknown. 

Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that a source told him, “D’Antoni wants House, and (Boston) really wants Nate, so everyone is motivated here.”

Sports Illustrated is reporting the Knicks are finalizing a deal for Tracy McGrady. The report suggests the deal could be finished tomorrow. 

Neither trade is official.

Donnie Walsh is a busy, busy man. Just ask the rumor mill. Walsh and the Knicks are linked to several different trade rumors. Let’s try to break them down.

The Knicks and Bulls are both discussing possible trades for the Rockets’ Tracy Mcgrady. Read about the possible Knicks-Rockets trade. Sports Illustrated says a McGrady trade to the Knicks is about done. 

The Knicks and Bulls aren’t only competing to land Tracy McGrady, but they are rumored to be working a trade between each other. If McGrady doesn’t get traded or gets traded to the Knicks, then the Knicks and Bulls may make a trade of Tyrus Thomas for Al Harrington. Tyrus Thomas is allegedly part of the package that would be exchanged for McGrady if he gets traded to Chicago. 

Through the Sacramento Bee, Yahoo! Sports reports that the Knicks are one of three teams, along with the Nets and Grizzlies, who are interested in making a trade for the Kings’ Sergio Rodriguez. 

The Boston Herald is reporting the Knicks may send Nate Robinson to the Celtics. Knicks beat writer for Newsday, Alan Hahn, has reported the Knicks will most likely get Eddie House and a second round pick from the Celtics.

During the All-Star game, David Aldridge of TNT said there is a 50/50 chance the Knicks get Tracy Mcgrady before the February 18 trade deadline.

Without a third team, I don’t see the Knicks being able to acquire Tracy McGrady from the Rockets. Last week, the Knicks were rumored to be in discussions of a three-way trade for McGrady which included the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have since pulled off a seven-player trade with the Dallas Mavericks which puts an end to their involvments in trade talks with the Knicks and Rockets.

To get McGrady without involving a third team, the Knicks will have to give up a young player they value; Jordan Hill, Toney Douglas, Wilson Chandler or Danilo Gallinari. Of those players the only guys the Knicks would trade are Hill and Douglas, but reluctantly. To make the trade worthwhile, the Knicks will try to throw Jared Jeffries in the deal. That’s where the discussions end. I can’t see the Rocket entertaining the idea of taking on Jeffries’ contract.

The Knicks could try to work a trade of expiring contracts for McGrady. The Rockets and McGrady aren’t on good terms and the Rockets may want a player like Al Harrington to help them this season before his contracts expire. They could also deal Larry Hughes or Nate Robinson to the Rockets. The only thing is, being that the Rockets are on bad terms with McGrady, why would they do him a favor by trading him without getting a player of substantial value for him?

The best bet of a trade happening is if the Rockets accept expiring contracts or if another team gets involved and gives the Rockets someone of value. The Knicks won’t give up a player they are high on unless the Rockets take Jared Jeffries too and the possibility of them taking Jeffries is slim because they want to have cap space for free agency this summer just like the Knicks do.

If the Knicks desperately want McGrady, they’ll send a package of either Jordan Hill or Toney Douglas plus Al Harrington and possibly another expiring contract to Houston.

Knicks guard Nate Robinson edged out Raptors rookie DeMar DeRozan to win the 2009-2010 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Robinson received 51% of the votes. Robinson has won the contest for the third time, back-to-back-to-back, which is a record.

A lack of creativity will be what’s remembered about this year’s dunk contest, but how much more can be done? Someone is going to have to think way outside of the box to create a dunk that we haven’t seen before.

New York Knicks center David Lee will join the Eastern Conference NBA All-Star team replacing Allen Iverson. Prior to being named to the team today, some thought Lee was snubbed of an All-Star spot. He has arguably had a better season than some of the players named to the Eastern Conference’s team.

Lee is the first Knicks player to be named to the All-Star team since 2001 when Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston represented the Knicks in the game.

Lee joins fellow Knicks Nate Robinson and Danilo Gallinari in Dallas for the weekend. Robinson will take part in the Slam Dunk contest while Gallo will be in the three-point shootout.

The Knicks are making a “trade” or sorts, but it’s taking place right inside their roster. Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni will start Nate Robinson at point guard over Chris Duhon. Duhon has struggled mightily this season and Nate’s spark when on the floor can’t be missed. D’Antoni informed reporters of the switch during the post-game media session after their 107-85 win over the Wizards Wednesday night. 

About starting Robinson over Duhon D’Antoni said, “I don’t have a reason not to. I like what we saw. Hopefully it will stay that way.”

Robinson played the entire second half for the Knicks at point guard. He had 23 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds in the game. 

The decision is a no-brainer. Robinson adds spunk to the Knicks and Duhon doesn’t add much of anything, at least lately. Duhon’s not getting the job done and D’Antoni has seen his point guard’s struggles become the teams’ struggles. 

On a side note, castoff Larry Hughes saw time on the hardwood in the Knicks win Wednesday night. He scored 11 points. He saw the floor two times in all of January.