Isn't it obvious Lee is not a winner?

[cragganmor]

Agree, every team needs a star player, but also a good second and third bananas that can step up if the star is doubled. Toss is some role players, make sure that the team plays solid D and that's a good recipe for a winning program. The key is not to overpay, gotta have the salary match up with talent and role/responsibilities of that player.

[DerekHarper]

Oakley, Mason and all the guys you mentioned never took over a game in thier lives. I know, I watched them. You hear people worship Houston and Spree, I worshiped Ewing and Starks. I mean I loved all those guys you mentioned but without Ewing they were a bunch of gritty yes, but very average talent players. I know I'll get killed for this but our team was like putting Tim Duncan with a team of Balkmans, Perkins,Pietrus types.....all guys you wanna have on a championship team but in no way the reason why they win singularly. They were grunts. And if you wanna say that Lee is an offensive Grunt then I'll agree but I wouldnt diminish or raise the value of that based on one skill. Everyone looks smarter or more tough when they arent the number one scoring option. We dont have one, let that happen and you'll be changing yer tune. Or we can just let Lee walk for 2 FA's


Why do we always deal in absolutes. Someone either has to be a franchise player or they suck. Fact is Lee is a good player who would compliment a superstar very nicely. True superstars play offense AND defense and then you surround both of them with those gritty players you mentioned and youre fine. Besides last I checked oakley isnt wearing a ring, nor is Camby. I'm not trying to say they didnt give it thier all but I'm just saying that your argument is weak if thats who youre comparing him too.

Okay I think you weren't looking at my argument in the correct light. The guys I mentioned most certainly did have the ability to dictate the game defensively, granted the game was far more physical in the 90s. The point was that they were able to tangibly contribute to winning in a way that was intrinsically attributed to their defensive presence on the floor. I don't think anyone would look for Lee for franchise star role but they are considering paying him a lot and I think that would be utter fail. That is the point of this post. On this team we can't afford to pay a one way player more than 5 mil.

For the record I don't care if Oak never got a ring he is the FUCKING MAN!!!!!!!!!

[nazrmohamed]

True, Oak is the man. All I'm saying is that Lee is worth more than 5mil. Maybe not 10mil but definatley more than 5. Put aside the points because even if we were to say that those stats are inflated we're still talking about a guy who rebounds to the tune of 11 per game and functions as a pg on many plays. I do agree that being a 20 and 10 player should automatically make you a highly paid player but considering his ability to pass and play some of the best team ball in the nba raises his value. At least to the 8mil mark which is right baout where I think he's perfectly valued. Maybe the guys who said all he needed was 4 defenders around him were wrong but having 4 defenders around him would also improve his own defense as well, and assuming that one or two of them are scoring at an elite level Lee should be right around the 3rd or 4rth option. 3rd options make around 8mil if not on rookie contracts

[mwm78]

Disagree, Lee has played out of position ( he isn't supposed to be a starting center in the NBA, more of a PF who can at times play center if need be ). He has lacked talent around him as well as quality vet's to aid his game. He could definitely play on a winning team, he just needs the players around him to be of " quality i.e. a starting PG ( or a Lebron or Wade ) and an inside presence/ shot blocker type.

[StevoStarks]

Lee is at least 8. No way he's a 5 mil player anymore. Those offensive stats alone are going to net you 10. And as much as I'd like the 2 way players to get more recognition, what you put down on the stat sheet is going to say a lot.

He's got better all around numbers than Boozer. Look how much that guy gets paid. This year he's going big.

But yeah, his bitch ass defensive boarding is getting on my nerves. It's painful.

[SALfromNY]

Put a "Real Center" next to him, and get a point guard who can stay in front of his man. Then Lee will be fine.

[bkzfinest]

DLee is by far the only consistent and productive Knick on the roster. If Donnie had the ability to put players around him that gave a damn, the end result would be different. Lee is a winner because he plays with passion and to the best of his ability. He exploits the opposition's weaknesses with his offense and though it's true he doesn't play much D, it wouldn't make a difference anyway, at least not with this team. He's playing out of position at Center on a team where there is no true center. Can't really knock on a guy for that. Lee is a winner in my book.

[StevoStarks]

DLee is by far the only consistent and productive Knick on the roster. If Donnie had the ability to put players around him that gave a damn, the end result would be different. Lee is a winner because he plays with passion and to the best of his ability. He exploits the opposition's weaknesses with his offense and though it's true he doesn't play much D, it wouldn't make a difference anyway, at least not with this team. He's playing out of position at Center on a team where there is no true center. Can't really knock on a guy for that. Lee is a winner in my book.

I honestly almost shed a tear. Beautifully written.

[Naan]

I don't understand the "Lee is undersized" issue very much. Many of you want to start Hill next to him because he can handle centers, but he's 20 pounds lighter and only 1 inch taller than David. He should be playing power forward as well.