http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2516764

LAS VEGAS -- The hair has grown out, so has some stubble on the chin, and the arms and shoulders are filling out the jersey nicely.

David Lee certainly looks a year older, but his game has matured, too.

The Knicks' forward played well in the Vegas Summer League last year, which hinted at what turned into a solid rookie season in New York, the erratic playing time aside. If his performance this July is a precursor, he's poised to cement himself into Isiah Thomas' rotation come the fall.



Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images
Knicks forward David Lee has been a tough man to box out, as Sacramento's Louis Amundson discovers.Second-year vets generally fare well this time of year -- their comfort level and confidence from a year in the fire, matched with unfettered playing time, usually leads to some big numbers. And Lee's do look pretty good -- he's been bullying the generally inferior competition for the last week, averaging 16 points and 10.8 rebounds in four games. He had 10 points and nine rebounds in the Knicks' 91-68 win over the Pistons on Tuesday night.

It's the way he's been doing it that has been impressing viewers at UNLV's Cox Pavilion. Lee has been rugged around the basket on both ends, working for every rebound and running the floor with Nate Robinson like an undrafted free agent trying to scratch out a roster spot.

"He plays like a warrior, it doesn't matter what the game means," one Eastern Conference coach said. "He's one of those guys who always challenges himself and wants to win."

Look no further than this stat: He's picked up eight steals in the four games because he's constantly trying to stick his hand in passing lanes and hustling on defense. Whether this translates night in and night out when the games actually count is yet to be seen, but there's no questioning Lee's passion.

Rondo Report
Some experts dubbed Rajon Rondo as the best pure point guard in last month's NBA draft. That can be debated, but Rondo is making a good accounting for himself in Vegas.



Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images
Rajon Rondo is giving the Celtics another point to consider.On a Celtics team loaded with roster players, Rondo has performed well in three games and especially in Tuesday's 111-62 whipping of the Toronto Raptors' entry. Rondo played his best game thus far with 13 points, six assists and just one turnover while making all five of his shots.

The attributes he honed at Kentucky were on display, especially his quickness, which really seems to help him at the defensive end.

He split the point guard duties with fellow new arrival Sebastian Telfair, which won't be the case during the regular season. At this point, Rondo faces being third on the C's depth chart behind Delonte West and Telfair.

His talents seem to mirror those of Telfair: Both are slick handlers, have good court vision and a desire to get to the basket. But both have issues with their outside shot, the black mark on their games. Telfair has improved moderately, but he's been shooting bricks in Vegas, making just 33 percent.

Rondo has been taking better shots and has made 12-of-18 so far, averaging nine points and 3.3 assists. But the experts watching and evaluating still believe he's got a long way to go in that area.

"I like his quickness a lot, he's very skilled too," said an Eastern Conference executive. "But he's got to make defenders respect him on the outside. Otherwise they're just going to give him room."

Around Vegas
• One of the crowd favorites at UNLV this week has been Louis Amundson, a 6-foot-9 power forward who went undrafted after playing for the Runnin' Rebels. He played well at the predraft camp, which earned him a slew of individual workouts leading up to the draft.

The Kings picked him up for a $75,000 guarantee and it is looking like money well spent. In four games, he's been a non-stop bruiser, averaging 11.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and shooting 75 percent. He's already assured himself an invite to training camp, and word around here is he's got an excellent chance of making Sacto's roster.

• After two pretty impressive games to start, No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani came back to the pack a little Tuesday. In the drubbing by the Celtics, he went just 2-of-7 from the field, including an ugly airball 3-point try, for 10 points and just two rebounds.

He averaged 16 points and made 12-of-19 shots in the Raptors' first two summer games.

• It was a surprise that former Villanova star Allan Ray went undrafted, but he's playing like he's put it out of his mind. He's averaging 12.3 points and shooting 62 percent for the Celtics in Vegas after an 18-point outburst Tuesday. Boston observers say he's also got a solid chance of squeaking onto the final roster as well.


Brian Windhorst covers the NBA for the Akron Beacon-Journal.

Lee should be getting at least 30 minutes every night. No reason not to unless he gets in foul trouble. Forget about small forward, power and what not. Just get him in the game as long as the matchups work. He doesn't need to start necessarily but should get at least 30 minutes off the bench. I think he just needs to keep getting stronger and at the same time keep working on his shot. I see him as a guy that one day will be able to do almost anything on the court well. Whether it is hit an open J, take man off the dribble and score or dish, get the rebound and lead the break himself, block a shot, score in low post, fill the lane on the break and just create havoc on the offensive boards.

Eventually, probably not this year, if he gets 30-35 minutes a game, there's no reason he can't average at least 10 boards a game. He really has excellent rebounding instincts.

I don't see why he can't average 10pts and 10 boards this year if he gets the playing time

6man of the year need to score a lot. He won't do that. I'm too lazy but who was the last 6th man to win that didn't score a lot of points but shined in other areas?

If everything will continue the way it goes Lee can became a player very similar to Suns Marion.
Look at his stat sheet - it's a lot of everything in there. Perfect guy for Fantasy basketball folks...

Posted by fishmike:

its hard not to like Lee's style of play. He's very good in the open court and converting garbage points. He's obviously gotten better and bigger in the offseason. Since Isiah has said we are rebuilding I'm sure we will see plenty of David Lee and zero of Mo Taylor and Malik Rose.

I'd love Isiah as a coach (not a gm) if he did that. I hated the fact that Larry got those PT #s reversed!

"If Lee gets 30 minutes..."

are the qtrs now 15 minutes long like in football?

Lee is a POWER FORWARD. As soon Knicks Brass realizes this....we'll be alright

three big rotation of curry, frye and lee is what I'm feeling. It's like a baby version of what denver had.