Posted by BlueSeats:

I didn't see the game, so I'm only responding to what I'm reading here.

If Lee had a good game that went unappreciated, that's fine. If he had an odd off-game, that's fine. But if his performance is suffering because he's unhappy with his minutes he better buck the f ck up and take it.

Lee and Balkman both earned the love and respect of Knicks fans by bring the same steam every night and making the most of every minute out there. That was their gift, and what separated them from the pack.

The moment they choose to join the ranks of sulkers - and I'm NOT saying that moment has come, but if it does - they'll get the same "love" that guys like Frye, Francis, Marbury and James get, and a ticket out of town.

So I hope they just struggled in the system, and maybe still have some residual effects from their injuries. They just need to make sure their legs are sound and their heads are on straight so we can have a chance to win some games.

In the back of my mind I'm a little concerned that Lee is looking forward to his next contract and his future role -- be they here or elsewhere. That's fine, I wouldn't expect otherwise, but I hope he understands those will be determined more by bringing the right attitude and effort than the wrong.

Posted by oohah:

Lee needs to produce in the time he gets and even if his role changes. Frye was made into a spot-up shooter last year. He had a lot of trouble adjusting. Despite what is recollected on this board, after his early season injury, his play improved.

Posted by oohah:

Posted by BlueSeats:

Posted by oohah:

Lee needs to produce in the time he gets and even if his role changes. Frye was made into a spot-up shooter last year. He had a lot of trouble adjusting. Despite what is recollected on this board, after his early season injury, his play improved.

It may have been a stretch to include Frye in that group. I think you remember that I may have been the first, or at least the most vocal, in blaming Isiah for Frye's poor sophomore performance for pushing him out from the high post to the perimeter. However, it should also be remembered that Frye insinuated that Brown was to blame for his shaky second half rookie season too. Taken together we see the blue print of a "fragile" player who's dependent on being handled just right.

In contrast my expectations for Lee are that even if he were the one pushed to the perimeter, well beyond his range, he would not let that emasculate him as a player to the degree it did Frye.

With that in mind, the thought that he'd let a decrease in minutes effect his play is totally disconcerting.

Lee, don't go there. Don't get fragile on us, you're supposed to be the cement that binds.

I don't know if you recall, but Lee loudly criticized Brown last summer for DNP'ing him after Lee started during the 6-game streak. All the rookies criticized Brown. Frye, Robinson, and Lee.

I expect if Lee is traded he will criticize Isiah and the Garden too.

If Lee gets pushed to 20 feet from the hoop (Which will not happen, Isiah knows better than that I hope.), he won't be able to do even what Frye did. Lee has no game to play 20 feet from the hoop. If that happens we might as well trade him. He is not a shooter in the least bit. Lee lives on garbage buckets, dunks and layups off of cuts.

If he is perimeter-ized, he won't be good, but I wouldn't call it emasculation, just misuse causing ineffectiveness. Most basketball players, especially power forwards and centers, have to be utilized properly to be effective.

Anyway, I'm not really worried. If lee plays 24 minutes instead of 30, but Randolph get as many if not more rebounds in those 6 minutes lost, plus scores, nobody should have a problem with it. It's all about the team. The team is the Knicks not the David Lees. (I'm not directing this last comment at you Blue.)

oohah

ooh, you missed the point. I know Isiah wont put him into Frye's role. But if Lee is the player I think/hope he is, even if he is miscast in a particular role he wont let one dimension of his game offset all others. He will still find a way to run the floor, crash the boards, look for his teammates, play defense, bring fire, etc.

Too many players let their heads be taken out of the game when the one aspect of the game they favor is mis-utilized. I hope Lee wont be one such player, by A) being one dimensional, and B) being mentally fragile.

ooh, you missed the point. I know Isiah wont put him into Frye's role. But if Lee is the player I think/hope he is, even if he is miscast in a particular role he wont let one dimension of his game offset all others. He will still find a way to run the floor, crash the boards, look for his teammates, play defense, bring fire, etc.

Too many players let their heads be taken out of the game when the one aspect of the game they favor is mis-utilized. I hope Lee wont be one such player, by A) being one dimensional, and B) being mentally fragile.

Posted by King1:

I think Lee is the kind of kid that needs 30 minutes a game and here is why. Last year every team prepared to stop Curry and keep Lee off the boards. Keeping Lee off the boards for 30 minutes is impossible and that is why he gets so many offensive rebounds and putbacks late in games. Kind of like a running back that pounds you three quarters and get all his yards in the fourth. Lee is your best trading chip. He can bring a big time player with a good contract back to the Knicks. If he get the minutes Curry and Randolph gets he would average 14 and 11 with no problems and take care ofthe baskketball. Other teams are smart enough to know that. This team has so many holes and you could trade a bench player for a starter is a no brainer

Posted by misterearl:

Undefined role my butt

Fatal Flaw in David Lee's ability to defend players with quickness exposed. It's not a case of Isiah messing with his minutes. Orlando presents a series of hellified matchup problem for any frontcourt.

You suck. You sit.

Oh boy, I see another argument coming on.