"David Lee wants two things out of tonight's Garden homecoming, and it's not necessarily a double-double. Lee wants to hold back the tears and wants -- desperately -- a Golden State victory.

"It's going to be extra emotional for me," Lee told The Post via cell phone from Manhattan yesterday after visiting some old haunts. "And I'm really excited to come in with a young team that I'm proud of. All I'm really worried about is finding a way to win."

That should be no problem for the 5-2 Warriors after the Knicks got thumped by the Bucks last night at the Bradley Center to fall to 3-4.

Lee posted plenty of double-doubles at the Garden but suffered lots of defeats during his five non-playoff seasons. By far their hardest-working player, Lee deserves the video tribute Knicks brass will give him on the Garden scoreboard during the contest.

"It means a lot to me," Lee said. "The only other player I remember that got something was Jamal Crawford. I gave everything I had to them for the last five years, so it means a lot they would take the time to do that. I'm looking forward to it. I want them to win every game except against us."

There were hard feelings in July. Lee thought he at least deserved a courtesy call from Knicks president Donnie Walsh, who was too busy giving Amar'e Stoudemire $100 million. But Lee is beyond it now."