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New York Knicks: Who stepped up against New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 30?

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 30: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 30, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 30: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 30, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 30: Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 30, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 30: Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 30, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Courtney Lee

The New York Knicks need Courtney Lee to make positive contributions. He’s generally reliable in that regard, but with Tim Hardaway Jr. sidelined by a lower leg injury, Lee’s value to the team has skyrocketed on both ends of the floor.

While Lee struggled as a shooter, he helped the Knicks in a multitude of manners during one of the team’s most well-rounded performances of the season.

Lee did enough to help on offense, posting nine points and four assists in a team-high 36 minutes of play. He added three rebounds, one block, and a steal in the type of two-way showing that New York desperately needed from its starting perimeter players.

Between his clutch assist to Jarrett Jack in the fourth quarter and his strong defense throughout, Lee did what needed to be done for New York to secure the victory.

Lee and co. held a New Orleans team that ranked in the top 10 in both three-point field goal percentage and three-point field goals made to 6-of-26 shooting from distance. His work is even more impressive when one considers the fact that center DeMarcus Cousins made three of those six shots.

Lee may not always stand out in the box score, but his veteran contributions continue to be a guiding light for the inexperienced and hungry Knicks.

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