I know it's a little early but I'm starting to have concerns about this. This is arguable our most..maybe not best but most versatile player....because he does so many things well......start/finish the break.......rebound......pass the rock....communicate with teammates on the floor....

but lately David Lee has been looking sad...disappointed. And it started a couple games before he won the rook/soph MVP award.. If you saw his face at that game he was lifeless...and lately on the bench he's been looking very discontent

Can the fact that Isiah is not starting him, when he done earned it months ago.....getting to him? Maybe he is feeling underappreciated?

Although this may be a factor in Lee's decision come Summer '08 when his contract expires....I think the bigger reason in Lee wanting to leave may be the money situation. By Sum '08 we'll still be over the salary cap. That means we can only give him the midlevel exception and you know damn well teams will be lined up ready to throw 7-9 million at him.

Personally, I think we need to lock this guy up for the next 5 years....he's only in his early 20s and players as versatile as him don't come around often.

Your thoughts?

Get @ Me

~BO

>>but lately David Lee has been looking sad...disappointed. And it started a couple games before he won the rook/soph MVP award.. If you saw his face at that game he was lifeless...and lately on the bench he's been looking very discontent

Isiah Thomas has been rumored to have David Lee on the trading block, not like David Lee's hair, and hates the fact that 29 teams passed on him, forcing him to draft him in the first round.

Discontent?

Where do you guys make this stuff up from?

Where did you hear we can only sign him for the midlevel? He was a 1st round pick that can get a decent pay raise from the knicks!

I had discussed the situation of David Lee in prior threads. This is the deal! He's somewhat of a tweener. He's 3 or 4 able to use both hands.

Several times when Lee is defending the opposing 4's like Okafor, Jamison, Brand or even Bosh, he gets bullied in the post. Against the Sf's, he's too slow to defend, caron butler, Deng, Lebron and others.

What He needs to do is develop a consistent jumpshot so the opposing defensive player not only is pressured but has to exert energy defending Lee.

I think the knicks need to obtain a bruising physical power forward who can defend other top 4's and rebound.

One who has Curry's back by relieving some of the pressure upfront. That way once lee develops that jumpshot, he'll be lethal playing the 3 and rebounding the ball as well.

Posted by BoxxedOut:

"Where do you guys make this stuff up from?"

Relax little buddy... contribute to the forum and chill with the arrogance

Remember what happened to Ben Wallace? A key part of the Pistons championship run. He was pissed at the coach....and then Chicago comes around and throws him a sick contract.... you see what I'm saying?

IT still not starting him when he clearly earned it....then let's say after the next year teams are offering him 3 year 30 million type deals...and he getting the LAME MIDLEVEL FROM new york becuz of Layden's imcompetence in past years.....

If you think about it...it gives him plenty of incentive to leave....if he stays in New York only reason would be because thas where his heart is..

Plus the fact that lately he hasn't been looking happy....

I'm just speculating but let me know what you guys think..

Lee needs to stay a knick for a longgggggggg time

are you talking about me?

Posted by BoxxedOut:

Don't Flame me .....

but I'm kind of ignorant to "bird rights"... can someone clarify?

My understanding is that if you are over the salary cap you can only offer the midlevel.....

but I'm assuming you guys are saying it doesn't apply to Lee becuz we acquired him through Draft?

Enlighten a brother

Get @ mE~~BO

sorry if I came off as being arrogant. the bird rights thing just means that we can give lee an extension before his current even expires (like dwade, dwight howard, and all those guys signed not too long ago). and even if we dont, when his contract expired he will be a restricted free agent (like jeffries was last season) meaning no matter what contract another team offers we can match it.

heh yeah if all the knicks could offer was the MLE than lee probably would leave, and then I'd have to take out all my anger and fury on Isiah for it.

i'd be pretty dissapointed too if i went down with an injury right in the middle of a playoff run knowing that i wouldnt be able to help my team out in anyway other than cheering and clapping from the bench.

you say he hasnt looked cheerful, but after games, when they interview him, he acts as if he's a fan of the team going "GO KNICKS" or some other stuff

Posted by BoxxedOut:

Slimpack

Thanks for clarifying.

So let me get this straight. His contract expires Sum'08 I think. So this summer of 2007 we can offer him an extension? and it can be over the midlevel even though we're salary cap f***ked?

and in Sum'08...he's a restricted free agent... So if 10 other teams throw him 9 million per, we can match that to keep him...even though we're salary cap f***ked??

get @me~~Big BO

yeah the salary cap doesnt matter for either one.

The dude is likely tired! Its a long season and the kid is working harder than ever.

Losing sucks!

His payday is a comin and I doubt hes dejected about starting. His minutes are what counts and he's productive.

He either has a role with this team or he won't. He keeps improving he will make lots of money!

He looks sad because he isnt playing and it is driving him crazy. There isnt a kid that love NYC more than David. His quote is if you can win in NYC you can own the city"

Posted by Elite:

I agree about him looking a little down lately on the bench. But I would be the same way if i was a member of THIS team..... im just a fan and i look far more unhappy then David Lee... Hes prolly like "wake me up when you guys can play hard for 48 minutes like i do"

This is my point on Marbury when everyone wants to get on his case about sulking & the towel thing. Not saying this against you Elite (you just brought it up in your post). Why does Marbury get roasted for being sad or looking like he's got an attitude; but other's get a pass and understanding.

Can't think of many (if any) who'd want to lose; but guys riding Marbury earlier in the season were ridiculous with his attitude thing (when the Knicks were losing much more).

Any way. Back to Lee. Hell Naw he don't go!

Posted by NJK:

Posted by Elite:

I agree about him looking a little down lately on the bench. But I would be the same way if i was a member of THIS team..... im just a fan and i look far more unhappy then David Lee... Hes prolly like "wake me up when you guys can play hard for 48 minutes like i do"

This is my point on Marbury when everyone wants to get on his case about sulking & the towel thing. Not saying this against you Elite (you just brought it up in your post). Why does Marbury get roasted for being sad or looking like he's got an attitude; but other's get a pass and understanding.

Can't think of many (if any) who'd want to lose; but guys riding Marbury earlier in the season were ridiculous with his attitude thing (when the Knicks were losing much more).

Any way. Back to Lee. Hell Naw he don't go!

Hey, there's no denying starbury's attitude through the media last season. He doesn't just LOOK like he has one, he did in fact' have one. Nobody gets a pass on this team and if you were around long enough, you would have seen me slam little punk Nate around for dancing and prancing all over the place. And that fight with Denver? He got his little butt suspended! No pass on this team, that's for sure.