Courtney Lee is determined to become the kind of player the Orlando Magic will regret trading away to the New Jersey Nets.

"I'm going to be a man on a mission," Lee said Thursday afternoon after a training session at the IMG Academy. "I just hope they'll be happy for me when I grow into the player that they wish they had. I'd like them to one day say 'I wish we would have kept him.'"

Orlando dealt Lee in a package that included Vince Carter.

"I'd like to be Dwight Howard's teammate again -- in the All-Star game," Lee said. "They [Magic] have a history of trading good players [Ben Wallace, Tracy McGrady, Corey Maggette, Mike Miller] who did well afterward. I hope that's me. My goal will be to go out and dominate every game, but especially those games [when I play the Magic]. I'll be jacked up for sure."

Lee had high hopes for his future with the Magic.

"The trade shocked me. After the Finals, Dwight and I were talking about things we had to do to get back and win a championship together. He joked about us being the next Shaq and Penny [Hardaway] with the Magic," he said. "I know it's a business, and trades happen, but it's not something you forget, even when you look forward like I am."

I like this guy's demeanor. From his playoff play, I can tell he is a smart player. I feel he has a bigger upside than Chandler (who lacks BB IQ) because of that. He can also shoot, play great defense, and dribble. He probably wont block the amount of shots that Chandler will or have as many highlight reel dunks, but I feel he can be a better player. So I ask, would you trade Wilson Chandler to the Nets for Courtney Lee?

I definitely would.. but as you said "I feel he has a bigger upside than Chandler (who lacks BB IQ) because of that" I doubt the Nets would

I'd like to get Lee, but not for Chandler. I'd offer Hill for Lee and a first round pick and whatever it takes to balance salaries.

Hell no I wouldn't trade Chandler for Lee. Are you kidding me? Chandler is a better scorer, athlete and better defensive player. Lee flourished with Howard in the middle because of all the double teams he would draw. Chandler is going to be way better than Lee!!!
No thanks bro.

typical we value another player over ours reaction around here.

Courtney Lee rookie season

Year     Team G  Min    M   A  Pct     3M  A  Pct     M   A   Pct    Off Def Tot   Ast TO  Stl Blk PF  PPG   
2008-09  ORL 77 25:11  3.2 7.0 45.0   1.1 2.6 40.4   1.0 1.2 83.0   0.2 2.1 2.3   1.2 0.9 1.0 0.2 2.0 8.4 

                G Min     M   A   Pct     3M  A  Pct     M    A Pct     Off Def Tot   Ast TO  Stl Blk PF  PPG   
Career vs. NYK  4 36:36  5.8 10.0 57.5   1.3 3.8 33.3   2.8 3.3 84.6   0.3 3.3 3.5   2.0 1.0 1.8 0.3 2.5 15.5   

would want to add him to Wilson as the starting wings. NJ drafted Terrance Wilson and Yi is not gonna get it done. Wonder if NJ would do a S&T based around the 2 Lee's. Most of their players contracts expire at seasons end:

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_jersey.htm

Posted by kam77:

Is he a good defender? He played a lot of minutes in the regular season but failed to get to the line or score that much. Shoots well from three, which we need, but other than that seems ordinary. If he is a lock down defender thats something to consider more.

yes he is a good defender. offensively he was the 5th option.

THe only reason I would consider it is that I am not sure Chandler has the skills to be a SG and Gallo's best position is probably at SF for right now. THus, our two best young players both play the same position. Lee is a true SG, although he needs to work on his offense. He certainly will bring defensive intensity. That being said, I would not trade Chandler for Lee. Lee is just too unproven and I think Chandler is about to have a breakout season.

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by McK1:

Courtney Lee rookie season

Year     Team G  Min    M   A  Pct     3M  A  Pct     M   A   Pct    Off Def Tot   Ast TO  Stl Blk PF  PPG   
2008-09  ORL 77 25:11  3.2 7.0 45.0   1.1 2.6 40.4   1.0 1.2 83.0   0.2 2.1 2.3   1.2 0.9 1.0 0.2 2.0 8.4 

[/code]

would want to add him to Wilson as the starting wings. NJ drafted Terrance Wilson and Yi is not gonna get it done. Wonder if NJ would do a S&T based around the 2 Lee's. Most of their players contracts expire at seasons end:

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_jersey.htm

Those are pretty anemic stats. He's gotta be one of the worst rebounders and passers (by assist #s) in the league. 8 points is OK I guess.

I take it you never watched Orlando play even thru the Finals.

Courtney Lee is gonna be a good player. I was at the Orlando game last year where we actually had the lead most of the game and had that thing won up until the final minutes. That's when Courtney Lee stepped up and killed us in the end. He won that game for them. I remember him hitting big shots & then big FTs to ice that one down the stretch. My buddy was like, "who the hell is this guy?" And based on his above statements, I like his confidence a lot too.

But he's not worth us giving up on Wilson Chandler. Chandler's a huge building block for us. No way. A S&T with either Lee or Nate would work for me, but not Chandler. If the only way for us to get him is with Chandler, I'd have to pass unfortunately. Too steep a price. Kid's a good player though..

Just trying to think who he compares favorably to. Maybe a young John Starks with the nice athleticism, the ability to finish and also the ability to shoot the 3 ball.


[Edited by - finestrg on 08-29-2009 10:22 PM]

Posted by McK1:

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by McK1:

Courtney Lee rookie season

Year     Team G  Min    M   A  Pct     3M  A  Pct     M   A   Pct    Off Def Tot   Ast TO  Stl Blk PF  PPG   
2008-09  ORL 77 25:11  3.2 7.0 45.0   1.1 2.6 40.4   1.0 1.2 83.0   0.2 2.1 2.3   1.2 0.9 1.0 0.2 2.0 8.4 

[/code]

would want to add him to Wilson as the starting wings. NJ drafted Terrance Wilson and Yi is not gonna get it done. Wonder if NJ would do a S&T based around the 2 Lee's. Most of their players contracts expire at seasons end:

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_jersey.htm

Those are pretty anemic stats. He's gotta be one of the worst rebounders and passers (by assist #s) in the league. 8 points is OK I guess.

I take it you never watched Orlando play even thru the Finals.

You posted stats and I commented on them. If you wanted comments on the finals rather than on the stats, you took a strange approach.