Courtney Lee played in the NBA Finals as a
rookie with the Orlando Magic, a league-worst 12-70 New Jersey Nets his
sophomore season, and donned six uniforms in eight seasons entering
free agency this past offseason.
Lee’s main goal was stability as the role of NBA journeyman became tiresome. When the New York Knicks – fresh off acquiring Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Brandon Jennings – came calling, joining the world’s largest media market was an enticing proposition. It didn’t require lengthy discussion, however, as Lee agreed to a four-year, $50 million deal.
Memories of playing for other teams have become a “blur” for Lee. He says that when he thinks about his Magic days, he just remembers that he lives in Florida. But playing in New York through his first 27 games has been unlike anything Lee has experienced before.
“The fans, the fans are crazy,” Lee said to GiveMeSport about his initial take on playing in New York. “There’s so much passion about it; they’re with you when you’re winning, they’re rocking with you when you lose...they hurt with you.”
Knicks fans have been hurting far too long; they suffered through a 32-win season a year ago, 17 wins two years ago, no playoff berth since 2012-13, no NBA Finals appearance since 2000, and no NBA championship since 1972-1973.
Entering their Christmas afternoon matchup with the Boston Celtics, the Knicks sport a 16-13 record; a win over Boston, who is tied with the Charlotte for fourth place with a 17-13 record, could lose ground to New York with a loss.
A huge reason to the Knicks’ solid start has been Lee’s performance. He’s second in the NBA with .476 shooting percentage from three-point range. He’s also averaging 10 points and 2.3 rebounds – numbers he hasn’t posted since his 2011-12 campaign with the Houston Rockets.
But it has been a team mentality throughout for the Knicks. Lee has provided a spark as a starter, while others have done so from the bench. Jennings recently explained to GiveMeSport why he’s enjoyed the transition from Madison Square Garden visitor to linchpin.
"What I learned by playing for the Knicks is that every night, somebody is trying to come in and have their best game," Jennings said. "I used to be on the other side, so I feel it more now every night...you have to protect home court."
Protecting home court has resulted in the second-best home record in the eastern conference (11-4 record at MSG). The road, however, hasn’t been pleasant for New York as evidenced by its 5-9 record. Especially a recent 2-3 road trip through California (Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors), Phoenix and Denver.
“We’re learning from our mistakes,” Lee said. “A couple of those games on the road we could have won but the execution, we have to excel there.
“Making the right reads, we lacked in that. Now we have to make sure we do that. Try to win out these couple games and carry it over into the new year.”
Improvements are still needed for the Knicks -- Lee included. The 31-year-old came to New York as a notorious “3-and-D” player, known for his three-point shooting and defensive capability to space the floor. However, the Knicks are still allowing the sixth-highest points per game total in the league (107.6).
With 2017 approaching, the Knicks are off to a strong start and Lee continues the Knicks’ “team-first” mantra as the holidays come and go.
“We have to get better all around, man,” Lee said of what he wants to see improved. “Whether it be on the offensive end, defensive end, effort plays….just everything to help the team win.”
Lee’s main goal was stability as the role of NBA journeyman became tiresome. When the New York Knicks – fresh off acquiring Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Brandon Jennings – came calling, joining the world’s largest media market was an enticing proposition. It didn’t require lengthy discussion, however, as Lee agreed to a four-year, $50 million deal.
Memories of playing for other teams have become a “blur” for Lee. He says that when he thinks about his Magic days, he just remembers that he lives in Florida. But playing in New York through his first 27 games has been unlike anything Lee has experienced before.
“The fans, the fans are crazy,” Lee said to GiveMeSport about his initial take on playing in New York. “There’s so much passion about it; they’re with you when you’re winning, they’re rocking with you when you lose...they hurt with you.”
Knicks fans have been hurting far too long; they suffered through a 32-win season a year ago, 17 wins two years ago, no playoff berth since 2012-13, no NBA Finals appearance since 2000, and no NBA championship since 1972-1973.
Entering their Christmas afternoon matchup with the Boston Celtics, the Knicks sport a 16-13 record; a win over Boston, who is tied with the Charlotte for fourth place with a 17-13 record, could lose ground to New York with a loss.
A huge reason to the Knicks’ solid start has been Lee’s performance. He’s second in the NBA with .476 shooting percentage from three-point range. He’s also averaging 10 points and 2.3 rebounds – numbers he hasn’t posted since his 2011-12 campaign with the Houston Rockets.
But it has been a team mentality throughout for the Knicks. Lee has provided a spark as a starter, while others have done so from the bench. Jennings recently explained to GiveMeSport why he’s enjoyed the transition from Madison Square Garden visitor to linchpin.
"What I learned by playing for the Knicks is that every night, somebody is trying to come in and have their best game," Jennings said. "I used to be on the other side, so I feel it more now every night...you have to protect home court."
Protecting home court has resulted in the second-best home record in the eastern conference (11-4 record at MSG). The road, however, hasn’t been pleasant for New York as evidenced by its 5-9 record. Especially a recent 2-3 road trip through California (Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors), Phoenix and Denver.
“We’re learning from our mistakes,” Lee said. “A couple of those games on the road we could have won but the execution, we have to excel there.
“Making the right reads, we lacked in that. Now we have to make sure we do that. Try to win out these couple games and carry it over into the new year.”
Improvements are still needed for the Knicks -- Lee included. The 31-year-old came to New York as a notorious “3-and-D” player, known for his three-point shooting and defensive capability to space the floor. However, the Knicks are still allowing the sixth-highest points per game total in the league (107.6).
With 2017 approaching, the Knicks are off to a strong start and Lee continues the Knicks’ “team-first” mantra as the holidays come and go.
“We have to get better all around, man,” Lee said of what he wants to see improved. “Whether it be on the offensive end, defensive end, effort plays….just everything to help the team win.”
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