Forget about all that talk of David Lee being an All-Star snub. He will be joining fellow Knicks Nate Robinson and Danilo Gallinari in Dallas, but instead of just watching his teammates in the dunk and three-point contests, Lee will be suiting up in the main event.
Allen Iverson, who was voted an All-Star starter mostly off name recognition, pulled out of the game with a personal issue, opening up another spot on the Eastern Conference's roster. Despite the Knicks' 19-32 record, Lee had enough credentials (20 points, 11.4 rebounds per game averages) to be selected as a replacement, after the initial slight.
Lee is the Knicks' first All-Star since Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell were named to the East's roster in 2001, the last season New York recorded a winning record.
Finally being called an All-Star completed a good couple of days for Lee, as he was also named to the 27-player U.S. National Team pool, from which the roster for this summer's World Championship squad and the 2012 London Olympic team will be chosen.
Despite the potential honor of playing for Team USA, Lee most likely will decline the invite for this summer — along with other stars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. All are free agents, and an injury in international play would hurt their chances of landing a big contract.
