It's NEVER talked about, among the countless beat writers - even among us Knicks scholars - but I would be curious to learn how Isiah envisioned David Lee at the NBA Draft

- before Larry was hired -


Lee was bulked up at Florida to play the four and some center. He was a flyer in high school, in the mold of a fluid and hip-hoppity Bobby Jones.

Along comes Larry Browns revolving door and the experimental downsizing of Lee the small forward spot DURING the season. His appearance and diss-appearance.

One could throw a thick blanket over Woods, Taylor, Frye, Lee, Malik Rose, Richardson - and have a tough time defining a clearly superior player between compiling stats and adding up the intangibles.

The parity, inconsistency and indecision at the 3-4 spots have cost the Knicks dearly

bobby jones - EXACTLY.

there was a season subscriber forum earlier last summer. marv, fish, and killa came as well. marv, before isiah spoke, said david lee is like a bobby jones. 30 minutes later, isiah says "david lee is like a bobby jones."

i think they really like david, larry included. that's why they tried to make him a SF b/c there was no place for him at PF.

djsunyc - hold up juts a moment homes. The night of the draft most Knicks fans instantly began moaning and groaning about Isiah's selection of Lee.

"who is dis guy?"

"David WHO?"

"the Knicks just picked another flop"

Few had watched him in college OR had any memory of Lee winning the McDonalds HS Slam Dunk contest his senior season. Nobody mentioned Lee as a potential Knick before the draft. Nobody.

Then a few calmed down long enough to do some research.

Me?

I remembered Lee taking off from the baseline, bouncing the basketball deliberately high toward the rim, removing his jersey to reveal a bare chest, taking a giant step, grabbing the ball in mid-air... and throwing it down just like his momma taught him.

The crowd went nuts.

On draft night, I just smiled.