2005-06 season: Lee had a strong rookie season and appears to have a bright future as a combo forward.

He took over as the starting small forward in December and the Knicks soon went on their best run of the season, a six-game winning streak. However, Larry Brown realized this was ruining his plan to sabotage the team, and within two weeks Lee was getting DNP-CDs. He started only once the rest of the season, but did manage to get back into the rotation in the second half of the year.

Lee was among the best or worst at his position at nearly everything. He shot 59.6 percent from the floor and had the second-best TS% among small forwards. It would have been even higher if he had made his free throws -- Lee hit only 57.7 percent, which hurt even more because his rate of 0.53 free-throw attempts per field-goal attempt was the fifth-best at his position. He also led small forwards in Rebound Rate at 15.1, and would have ranked highly (11th) even at power forward.

However, Lee couldn't create shots and handled the ball poorly. His Usage Rate ranked 58th out of 64 small forwards, as most of his offense came off second shots. He also fared poorly in Turnover Ratio (54th) and Assist Ratio (47th).

Scouting report: Lee is a natural power forward but played more minutes at small forward last season because the Knicks had about 62 power forwards. The left-hander is incredibly active around the basket, flying in for offensive rebounds and racing downcourt for easy baskets in transition. He isn't much of a shooter, although he can drain the occasional 15-footer, and he doesn't really have a post game. He probably needs to add muscle too, as 235 pounds is a bit light for a frontcourt player -- which is his most likely long-term position.

Lee did a decent job at the defensive end because of his activity and hustle, and he can defend bigger small forwards. He's not particularly tall or strong for a frontcourt player, but he's alert and fairly quick. With another year of learning he should become an above-average defensive player.

2006-07 outlook: Lee is unlikely to see much time at small forward this year, because he hampered the Knicks offensively a year ago -- it was incredibly tough for them to ram the ball into the post, their preferred strategy, when Lee couldn't space the floor on the weak side.

But he'll see plenty of minutes at his natural position backing up Channing Frye, and should also get time if and when the Knicks go small and move Frye to the middle.

Players who shoot such a high percentage in one season normally don't keep it up in subsequent years, so he's due for a fall there, but he should improve enough in other areas to be one of the league's best backup power forwards.


Most similar at age: Bo Outlaw

probably my favorite Knick right now and IMO our best dunker. I think he's a guy that plays above his numbers and a guy that just makes you a better when he's on the floor.

Here is a fact no one will guess. Lee is playing at 258 right now with 9% body fat.

Posted by King1:

Here is a fact no one will guess. Lee is playing at 258 right now with 9% body fat.

Where'd you hear that? He doesn't look 258

Posted by martin:

Posted by King1:

Here is a fact no one will guess. Lee is playing at 258 right now with 9% body fat.

what was he in college at his peak.... wasn't he slower when he bulked up?

he doesn't LOOK bulky, maybe the 9% body fat has something to do with that. he said in camp that he was in the best shape of his life. As our primary backup bigman at center(!) and power forward right now, I think the extra bulk is pretty necessary.

Posted by King1:

He played his junior year at 255 and lost his spring. He went to training camp at 258 thinking he would lose 10 lbs and didnt lose any of it

haven't seen much of the play.... still has his spring?

Posted by Killa4luv:

His access information isn't like a dump truck, its more like a series of tubes.

LOL.