If things would’ve worked out, David Robinson would be playing on the same front line as Antonio McDyess with the Knicks.

Robinson, who turned down the Knicks’ four-year, $22 million offer in the summer of 2001, thinks the Knicks have a gem in McDyess.

“He’s been on the All-Star team, he’s gotten some recognition but more recognition will come with more success as a team,” Robinson said before the Knicks’ 97-93 preseason victory over the Spurs last night that marked McDyess’ Garden debut. “He’s a good building block for the Knicks, no question.”

Imagine a tandem of the 7-foot-1 Robinson and McDyess, who scored 13 points last night, in the Big Apple. Fifteen months ago, the Knicks courted the free-agent Robinson when the Spurs appeared eager to sign Chris Webber.

“Obviously playing here in New York was a pretty big deal,” Robinson said. “My wife liked the idea. But my whole thing was I wanted to stay in San Antonio. That’s where my heart was.”