Lee taking shot at 3 spot
BY ALAN HAHN | alan.hahn@newsday.com
October 7, 2007

CHARLESTON, S.C. - David Lee rolled off a low screen and moved to the corner in a textbook pick-and-pop during a scrimmage here yesterday at Knicks training camp. He caught the ball and, wide open, drilled an 18-footer. Exactly the kind of dimension the hard-working power forward needs to develop in his game.

Lee's rebounding (10.4 per game last season) and energy are enough to earn him minutes, perhaps even starter's minutes, but not on the Knicks, especially not after the addition of fellow double-figures rebounder Zach Randolph.

Regardless, Lee said, "I know I can be a big-time force in this league."

The 6-9, 245-pound Lee, who is completely healed from the leg injury that caused him to miss 23 of the final 26 games last season, spent the summer working on his shot and, as he put it, his "3-man skills" to ready himself for an expanded role that will include some time at small forward. Knicks coach Isiah Thomas has given him some looks at the position.

Last season, despite shooting a team-record 60 percent from the floor (240-for-400), Lee didn't show enough of an ability to consistently hit shots from the perimeter or create his own offense, which caused defenses to drop off him. Lee showed he can defend the post as a big man, but what remains to be seen is if he can defend the quicker small forwards.

Thomas said most of the starting lineup is "99 percent," so the anticipation is that Quentin Richardson, a three-point specialist and a solid defender, will return to the starting role at small forward. Jared Jeffries also has been used there, but the poor-shooting Jeffries, who is 6-11, is best used as a defensive substitution at power forward and center.

Thomas can use Lee not only to spell Randolph but to move Randolph to center to go small and give Eddy Curry a rest. Thomas also can play all three together for a big frontcourt that can dominate the glass. Bottom line, Lee's added offense creates options.

"We've got a chance to do some special things. It's just a matter of bringing everything together and making it work," Lee said. "It's not going to be from a lack of talent if we don't do well, that's for sure."

I missed the part where Lee is taking a shot at Isiah? I don't see it.

Much of what you're saying sounds like yoiiu think it's a problem that we have good talent. Who cares if guys complain about more PT? That's the way it should be. Isiah said he was going to try to shorten his rotation, so someone isn't going to play as much. He seems to be looking to use his best players MORE this year and that's a GOOD THING!

The good thing is that most everyone is ready to play. They took things serious this summer and came back in better shape and improved skills. If Isiah is already using Lee in practice at the SF spot, then clearly he WANTS to be able to keep Lee on the floor. The team told Lee to work on the things he did this summer and since he's shown that he was committed to it, they look ready to reward him for it. i don't see a problem. I see a problem possibly solved. The whole idea is to have more options. it doesn't have to be the same from game to game. We're talking about the bulk of Lee's minutes coming at the back up PF spot and a little at SF. The way I see it, Isiah could have Lee come in when Curry goes out and slide Zach to Center. Then you have Zach come out and Curry takes over at C. Then Zach comes back in for Lee. You can man the C & PF spot with just those 3 and be just fine in terms of minutes.

Steph, Jamal, Q, Zach & Eddy - Lee, Mardy, Nate, Jared & Chan for spot minutes. When Balk gets back he'll likely have a smaller role. In my mind he does well with few minutes and if he's really having a great game then he might get a few extra minutes on the 2nd nighht of back to backs and blowouts. It's clear that quite a few guys could be out of the rotation. Jared could see his minutes cut, but it makes sense, since he's not a real threat offensively.

Simply put, IT has to make a trade that consolidates our talent that solves the playing time issues.

stfu. dlee dint take no shots at no one. bunch a haters