Thomas ‘D’ image of leader

Lance Thomas was named starting power forward for the Knicks’ preseason opener and has done nothing to lose his grip on the job.

A co-captain last season, Thomas’ leadership is exemplary in setting a defensive tone and he has grown on the offensive end. But coach David Fizdale most appreciates the take-charge attitude.

“Lance is just … man is he a good leader,’’ Fizdale said. “He’s just a really good leader. Those guys respect him big time. When he speaks, the gym shuts down and everybody listens.’’

The longest-tenured Knick, Thomas was a co-captain last season with Courtney Lee, who hasn’t played yet because of a sore neck. There’s a chance Thomas and center Enes Kanter will be voted by the players as co-captains this season.

Fizdale said both players’ leadership has been “impeccable” during preseason.

“I don’t know if this thing would move without them,’’ Fizdale said.

Against New Orleans, the first club for which Thomas played, he made a number of nifty driving shots and finished with 13 points and four rebounds in 23 minutes. Shooting 55 percent, Thomas is no longer just taking spot-up 3-pointers. It will take a lot for Mario Hezonja to supplant Thomas with two preseason games left, starting Monday versus Washington.

But the defensive end is Thomas’ cup of tea, as is his ability to motivate guys to follow his lead.

“When you come in every day and bring it, people want to follow suit,’’ Thomas said. “The way I approach the game. I know how to get the best out of our guys. You can’t speak to everyone the exact same way. Over the years I’ve learned to find the inner beast in them to play their best. We have a lot of talent. I want to make sure we use all of it.”

Thomas, 30, admits to having bulked up and gotten stronger. He said to ask Kanter, hinting about his low-block wars with the center in scrimmages. Kanter confirmed.

“He’s one of the few guys who can hold me on the post in the league,’’ Kanter said. “I don’t know why. I think he’s got that old man strength. That’s what it is. Old man strength. Maybe I got weaker. Going at it a lot in summer time and we switch on 5-on-5, he holds me down.”