New York Knicks: Joakim Noah, Kristaps Porzingis Praise Courtney Lee
New York Knicks shooting guard Courtney Lee has drawn high praise from two of his more high-profile teammates: Joakim Noah and Kristaps Porzingis.
The New York Knicks retooled and reloaded during the summer of 2016. Team president Phil Jackson hired a new coach, signed three new starters, found a new sixth man, and landed a number of new reserves.
Arguably the most underrated acquisition made by the Jackson regime was that of starting shooting guard Courtney Lee.
The Knicks signed Lee to a four-year deal worth roughly $48 million. Playing in his ninth NBA season, Lee has earned the reputation of a reliable player who provides a steady and consistent impact on both ends of the floor.
According to Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders, fellow defensive stalwart Joakim Noah offered high praise for that very reason.
"“I think Courtney is a guy who is going to do all the little things, whatever it takes to win games,” Noah said. “This team has a lot of star power, especially with Carmelo [Anthony] and the emergence of [Kristaps] Porzingis. I think it’s just important to have guys who are willing to do the dirty work. I think he’s a great locker room guy. He’s very well respected all around the league from his style of play and I’m just really happy that he’s here.”"
Noah and Lee project to be the dynamic duo who lead the Knicks’ defensive resurgence in 2016-17.
New York is Lee’s seventh team in nine seasons, but that shouldn’t be viewed as an indictment of his abilities. He’s helped the teams he’s played for by making shots at the end of the shot clock, spacing the floor, creating off the bounce, and playing at a high level defensively.
Lee has a career average of 27.3 minutes played over the course of 601 regular season games and 361 starts.
Lee has helped the team he played for reach the NBA Playoffs in four consecutive seasons. For perspective, the Charlotte Hornets averaged 111.4 points per 100 possessions when Lee was on the floor in 2015-16.
Charlotte averaged 104.1 points per 100 possessions without Lee—a difference of 7.3 points per 100 possessions.
Furthermore, the Hornets, which acquired Lee at the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline, were 28-26 without him and 20-6 with him. He provided a positive impact in Charlotte, much as he did at his previous stop in Memphis.
Fellow Knicks starter Kristaps Porzingis joined Noah in offering praise to the starting shooting guard.
"“He’s very consistent, that’s what I love about him,” Porzingis said after the Knicks beat the Brooklyn Nets, 116-111, in the team’s final preseason game. “He’s always – no matter what – he’s always playing hard defense, and he’s doing his thing offensively. He’s very consistent, and that’s the type of player you need on your team if you want to win. He’s a winner, so he’s a really good addition that we have this season.”"
Porzingis’ evaluation of Lee is accurate to what the Knicks can expect to receive from Lee.
Lee isn’t just a nine-year veteran who has worked his way into a vast number of starting lineups. He has 50 games of postseason experience, including a run to the 2009 NBA Finals with the Orlando Magic.
Even as a rookie, Lee found a way to help his team improve.
Since then, he’s only gotten better himself.
During the 2015 NBA Playoffs, Lee averaged 13.3 points in 33.4 minutes on a slash line of .550/.467/.957 to help the Memphis Grizzlies reach the Western Conference Semifinals. In 2016, he averaged 8.6 points while shooting 44.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Lee also hit a game-winner during the 2016 NBA Playoffs.
Lee is a clutch, well-rounded, and defensive-minded player who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
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In other words: Lee is the exact player whom the Knicks needed to sign with their remaining cap space.