Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: The 2016-17 Starting Lineup

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) laugh on the court during second half time out against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) laugh on the court during second half time out against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
Nov 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) dribbles in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) dribbles in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Shooting Guard: Courtney Lee

Age: 30 (10/3/1985)
2015-16 Slash Line: .454/.378/.839
2015-16 Season Averages: 29.5 MPG, 9.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 3PM
Accolades: 2009 NBA Finals Appearance

When Arron Afflalo declined his player option, the New York Knicks began the search for a new starting shooting guard. The player whom New York signed, Courtney Lee, is quite similar to Afflalo from a stylistic perspective.

The primary difference that should have Knicks fans excited: Lee is a far more consistent defender who can get to the basket.

Lee was traded in 2015-16, but he helped both of the teams he played for. The Charlotte Hornets posted an offensive rating of 111.4 with him and 104.1 without him, and the Memphis Grizzlies had a defensive rating of 102.1 with Lee and 107.4 without him.

In other words, Lee is an adaptable player who can fill the role that’s outlined for him and help his team on both ends.

Offensively, Lee should complement Derrick Rose well, as evidenced by his catch-and-shoot 3-point field goal percentage of 40.3 in 2015-16. Defensively, he held opponents to 41.8 percent shooting from the field.

Lee fits the profile of what Phil Jackson seems to want from his shooting guards, and has the skill set to be the perfect backcourt complement to Rose.

Next: Small Forward

Home/Knicks News