Primary Impact
The primary impact for Derrick Rose is the manner in which he creates penetration. For Courtney Lee, it’s not going to be about his ability to space the floor, defend at a high level, or attack off the bounce; not individually, at least.
With Lee, the primary impact that he’ll have on the New York Knicks in 2016-17 will be his versatility on both ends of the floor.
Lee’s ability to defend all three perimeter positions will alleviate pressure from Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Jennings, and Derrick Rose. His ability to space the floor will create driving lanes and post-up opportunities.
His ability to attack off the bounce, take it to the rack, and finish at the rim will make it even more difficult for opponents to cheat on defense.
Lee won’t be the star of the show for the Knicks in 2016-17, but his ability to contribute in multiple phases could prove invaluable. He’s just as capable of taking over in the clutch as he is pulling the defense out as a decoy or containing a primary scoring threat.
Whether it’s on offense or defense, Lee’s versatility is what will make him valuable to the Knicks.
Must Read: Realistic expectations for Derrick Rose in 2016-17
No matter what it is that the New York Knicks need Courtney Lee to do, he’ll be capable of providing a solid impact.