The New York Knicks signed Courtney Lee to fill the role of the starting shooting guard. What exactly can Knicks fans expect from the new 2?
The New York Knicks have embraced the need for a change of identity. Though developing Kristaps Porzingis is the long-term goal, team president Phil Jackson has committed to providing the Knicks with an instant contender.
One of the players whom Jackson signed during the summer to help build that contender was shooting guard Courtney Lee.
Lee will start for the Knicks at the 2, which is quite the burden for a player to carry. The Knicks have a history of relying upon their shooting guards to provide consistent production and high-quality performances on big stages.
Allan Houston, Earl Monroe, and John Starks all played shooting guard for New York in the NBA Finals, and J.R. Smith won Sixth Man of the Year for the 54-win Knicks in 2012-13.
In 2016-17, Lee will be tasked with following in their footsteps, albeit in a different role. He’ll be trusted to provide 3-and-D contributions to a city that’s in dire need of a winner—something it hasn’t seen since 1973.
The question is: what can Knicks fans realistically expect to see from the new starting shooting guard in 2016-17?