Knicks Rumors: Reasons To Love The Courtney Lee Signing

6 of 6

Apr 27, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Courtney Lee (1) reacts after making a basket against the Miami Heat during the second half in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Postseason Experience

The New York Knicks have one goal that take precedence over all else in 2016-17: make the playoffs. Doing so would address all other focal points, including the development of Kristaps Porzingis and the appeasing of Carmelo Anthony.

Entering 2016-17, the Knicks now project to start four players who have made it to the Conference Finals.

That includes one of the most quietly clutch players in the NBA: Courtney Lee.

Lee reached the 2009 NBA Finals as a rookie with the Orlando Magic. That same year, Carmelo Anthony led the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals, where he had a legendary duel with Kobe Bryant.

Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, meanwhile, led the Chicago Bulls to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals as teammates.

Admittedly, all of that success is far enough removed that one can begin to write it off as meaningless. It’s also a sign that four of the five starters have been close enough to smell an NBA championship, and are desperate to get back to that stage.

Throw in the young and hungry Kristaps Porzingis, and New York has a starting five that’s built to return to the playoffs.

must read: Reasons to love the Joakim Noah signing

Three years removed from the Knicks’ last postseason appearance, that’s all a fan could ask for.

Home/Knicks Rumors