Roster Shakeup Hasn't Fazed All-Star Lee
Feb 25 2010 10:40PM
Related Images
The Knicks look to snap their losing streak Friday night vs. Mike Miller and the Washington Wizards.
NBAE/Getty Images
Tracy McGrady's return from microfracture knee surgery and Sergio
Rodriguez's back-to-back starts at point guard have stolen headlines since
the Knicks made three deals at last Thursday's trade deadline. But what
should not be overshadowed are David Lee's strong performances since the
roster was reshuffled.
Despite the Knicks trading away six players and getting five in return - making the rotation look completely different than it did just a week ago - Lee has continued to be the team's most consistent player. And the numbers back it up. He is averaging 23.3 points on 62 percent shooting from the field, 12.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists over the previous three games, including three double-doubles.
While McGrady has been an All-Star seven times and fellow newcomer Eddie House has a championship ring from his days in Boston, Lee is still the leader of the Knicks on the court. Many of the Knicks' offensive plays continue to run through Lee in the pick-and-roll and the new players are starting to benefit from playing alongside the first-time All-Star big man.
"I love playing with him," said McGrady, one of the league's top scorers over the past decade. "He's a very smart basketball player. He sets good screens. He knows when to set a screen and when to slip. He has great hands for a big guy. I really enjoy playing with him."
As McGrady works his way back from knee surgery and continues to improve his overall conditioning, the superstar isn't quite ready to take over the role as the Knicks' go-to guy. McGrady played in three games in his first four days as a Knick, but his minutes decreased in each game after bumping his surgically repaired knee in the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.
McGrady scored 26 points in his New York debut against the Oklahoma City on Saturday, but scored just six on eight shots in 27 minutes Tuesday in Boston. On his off-shooting night, McGrady decided to become a playmaker and recorded eight assists, many of which found their way into Lee's hands.
"I wanted to mix it up," McGrady said. "Right now, I'm really not sold on going out and trying to 20, 25 points. That's not what I'm trying to do. That's not how I'm going to get myself back. Tonight was just one of those nights where I wanted to be a playmaker and make my teammates better."
Rodriguez has also brought playmaking ability to the Knicks. The flashy point guard - who was part of the three-way deal that also brought McGrady to the Big Apple - has started two out of his three games with the Knicks and is averaging 4.3 assists so far, including six on Tuesday. He has shown signs of being the up-tempo point guard who can play the pick-and-roll the Knicks have been searching for.
Lee's scoring numbers will likely increase playing with some great playmakers and his rebounding numbers should also go up playing in such a small rotation. The 6-foot-9 Lee is the biggest player in the starting lineup with the 6-8 Wilson Chandler playing next to him at power forward. The Knicks' tallest active player, 7-footer Jonathan Bender, comes off the bench and plays mostly along the perimeter.
Lee and the new-look Knicks will be back in action Friday night against the Wizards in Washington.
Despite the Knicks trading away six players and getting five in return - making the rotation look completely different than it did just a week ago - Lee has continued to be the team's most consistent player. And the numbers back it up. He is averaging 23.3 points on 62 percent shooting from the field, 12.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists over the previous three games, including three double-doubles.
While McGrady has been an All-Star seven times and fellow newcomer Eddie House has a championship ring from his days in Boston, Lee is still the leader of the Knicks on the court. Many of the Knicks' offensive plays continue to run through Lee in the pick-and-roll and the new players are starting to benefit from playing alongside the first-time All-Star big man.
"I love playing with him," said McGrady, one of the league's top scorers over the past decade. "He's a very smart basketball player. He sets good screens. He knows when to set a screen and when to slip. He has great hands for a big guy. I really enjoy playing with him."
As McGrady works his way back from knee surgery and continues to improve his overall conditioning, the superstar isn't quite ready to take over the role as the Knicks' go-to guy. McGrady played in three games in his first four days as a Knick, but his minutes decreased in each game after bumping his surgically repaired knee in the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.
McGrady scored 26 points in his New York debut against the Oklahoma City on Saturday, but scored just six on eight shots in 27 minutes Tuesday in Boston. On his off-shooting night, McGrady decided to become a playmaker and recorded eight assists, many of which found their way into Lee's hands.
"I wanted to mix it up," McGrady said. "Right now, I'm really not sold on going out and trying to 20, 25 points. That's not what I'm trying to do. That's not how I'm going to get myself back. Tonight was just one of those nights where I wanted to be a playmaker and make my teammates better."
Rodriguez has also brought playmaking ability to the Knicks. The flashy point guard - who was part of the three-way deal that also brought McGrady to the Big Apple - has started two out of his three games with the Knicks and is averaging 4.3 assists so far, including six on Tuesday. He has shown signs of being the up-tempo point guard who can play the pick-and-roll the Knicks have been searching for.
Lee's scoring numbers will likely increase playing with some great playmakers and his rebounding numbers should also go up playing in such a small rotation. The 6-foot-9 Lee is the biggest player in the starting lineup with the 6-8 Wilson Chandler playing next to him at power forward. The Knicks' tallest active player, 7-footer Jonathan Bender, comes off the bench and plays mostly along the perimeter.
Lee and the new-look Knicks will be back in action Friday night against the Wizards in Washington.
