Kobe with Caron Butler and Lamar Odom couldn't get the Lakers to the playoff to the playoffs. Are the Raptors in the Playoffs?

Who really plays both sides of the ball effectively in this league 10 guys?

The kid is smart and works hard. He has added a jump shot, post moves, ft shooting, and passing skills in his five years. What do you want from the guy. If we took care of him two years ago we wouldn't be in this mess. He is respected around the league and teams want him.

Last time I checked he doesn't have another All-Star getting him the ball or allowing him to operate.

kingofelpaso wrote:It seems like no one bothered to read the entire article before becoming furious and racing to post about hating Lee:

Lee says his goal is to improve his ball handling and revealed that he thinks he can become a 3-point threat. But he also admitted that he must improve his most glaring weakness: defense.

"First and foremost I have to get better defensively," he said.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2010/04/16/2010-04-16_david_lee_wants_to_stay_with_new_york_knicks_says_he_can_become_elite_nba_player.html?r=sports/basketball/knicks&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+nydnrss/sports/basketball/knicks+(Sports/Basketball/Knicks)

Well it's nice to see that admission. But why do I suspect that it's merely lip service? He's never shown any real desire to be a defender.

My OP was from the Post article (which I of course read top to bottom, and contains no such quote from him about defense), not the Daily News article you quote above.

Nevertheless, him even mentioning developing the 3-shot is idiotic.

Most of the players in the league today are BAD defenders. Lee is far from unique and more like middle of the pak

fishmike wrote:
You guys crack me up. All the guy does is show up better every year, be a pro through 5 years of BS and talk about how much he loves the city and the team and you want him gone. For who again?

Chris Paul.

iSergio wrote:

DurzoBlint wrote:I will ask again since no one responded the first time. Someone please name 5 power forwards that are good defenders. If your going to kill Lee for his defense, then who are the good defenders at his spot.

Most of the players in the league today are BAD defenders. Lee is far from unique and more like middle of the pak

Josh Smith, Kevin Garnett, Taj Gibson, Anderson Verajao, Kenyon Martin, ect... pretty much every PF is better defensively than David Lee.

nixluva wrote:That brings in another issue, the NET production of a given players. Would the Net result of Lee who does produce 20/10, but also gives up a ton on the other end, but that much better than say Tyrus Thomas? Tyrus only avg's 23 mpg, and 9 ppg, 6 rebs. 1.7 blks & 1.4 steals. Does his superior defense make up for the lack of scoring prowess? Would the team in the end be better with a guy like Tyrus instead of Lee?

Teams will be bad with both if there is nothing more on the team.
BBal is the team game and it is not so much what each player can do, but more of how players are put together, coached, and play together.
It is easy to think that you will get 2-3 all-stars and nothing elese matter.
And people like to think easy... evem more so not to think at all. Thinking is hard and boring.

iSergio wrote:

DurzoBlint wrote:I will ask again since no one responded the first time. Someone please name 5 power forwards that are good defenders. If your going to kill Lee for his defense, then who are the good defenders at his spot.

Most of the players in the league today are BAD defenders. Lee is far from unique and more like middle of the pak

Josh Smith, Kevin Garnett, Taj Gibson, Anderson Verajao, Kenyon Martin, ect... pretty much every PF is better defensively than David Lee.

Josh Smith IS a good shot blocker but, not a good defender at all. Just blocking shots alone does not make a good defender. Smith is just as sub par with his man to man defense. Who has he stopped.

Kevin Garnett (2seasons ago). The guy has no lateral movement and THIS SEASON has been a poor defender hence, their season.

Kenyon oft injured Martin and Verajao are the only 2 you mentioned that are good defenders so,...thanks for helping to prove me point

Then you fill out the roster with Vets at the 2-3 and a true vet PG.

Douglas
LBJ
Gallo
Lee
C

Chandler
Walker
Barron
vet
vet
giddens
draft pick
rookie FA

DurzoBlint wrote:

DurzoBlint wrote:

iSergio wrote:

DurzoBlint wrote:I will ask again since no one responded the first time. Someone please name 5 power forwards that are good defenders. If your going to kill Lee for his defense, then who are the good defenders at his spot.

Most of the players in the league today are BAD defenders. Lee is far from unique and more like middle of the pak

Josh Smith, Kevin Garnett, Taj Gibson, Anderson Verajao, Kenyon Martin, ect... pretty much every PF is better defensively than David Lee.

Josh Smith IS a good shot blocker but, not a good defender at all. Just blocking shots alone does not make a good defender. Smith is just as sub par with his man to man defense. Who has he stopped.

Kevin Garnett (2seasons ago). The guy has no lateral movement and THIS SEASON has been a poor defender hence, their season.

Kenyon oft injured Martin and Verajao are the only 2 you mentioned that are good defenders so,...thanks for helping to prove me point

also, aside from Smith, those others can't hold his jock when it comes to offense, rebounding or passing.

Allanfan20 wrote:Lee SAYS he's going to improve his defense. It's not working on it though. It's working on the mindset. Maybe he just needs to get stronger.

As for the three point shot: There's nothing wrong with him having it. Don't let that take away from how you're effective. Moving without the ball, being a good passer, having a good midrange game, and being able to post up a little bit.