On David Lee and what I'll remember about 2010
by gian casimiro on Jul 10, 2010 2:18 PM EDT
in Miscellaneous
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PrintLeading up to it, this whole 2010 ordeal was just annoying. That's it, nothing more. I wasn't swept up in the banter. I facepalm'd at all the posturing from fans, especially Knicks fans. I didn't care to speculate about who was going where. And I damn sure wasn't attached to any of these big names - after all, they weren't my big names. I felt this way until Thursday night when the biggest name finally announced his decision to leave Cleveland. No, I wasn't upset that the team didn't ink the most absurd basketball specimen I've ever witnessed. I wasn't upset that testing my fanhood for two years was going to be considered by many as a waste. I don't care what they think. What I cared about was Cleveland, not the franchise, but the fans. I realized an entire city was just devastated and it made me think about fans and what they lost in 2010. And it finally made me realize what I was about to lose.
See, for any fanbase in position to lose its favorite player, it feels like your girlfriend moving for grad school. You don't really want to deal with it until you have to, until the boxes are in the hallway. Or maybe that's just me, but, fine, that is how I felt about David Lee. He was gone before he actually left, I just didn't want to bring it up. He had different plans, unspoken though understood, and he was going to see them through with or without me. And even if this was supposed to make the team better all along, even with talking heads deciding long ago that the Knicks would get Chris Bosh, or Amare Stoudemire, or Carlos Boozer, I still don't feel great about it.
It turns out they did get one of those names. Turns out it doesn't really help me cope.
Revisiting history may not even be necessary because so little of it was actually memorable. There were no wins, or at least that's what it feels like. There were no playoff appearances. There were no moments of brilliance that made it clear the franchise's future depended on keeping him around. But there were five years that showed he was a player to root for on a team with so little to love.
Lee overcame the negativity of New York media. He proved he deserved playing time even when a certain coach didn't want to give him any. He dealt with a lack of structure for years, with dancing teammates, with possession killers. With Stephon Marbury. He answered questions about the franchise's future even when reporters tried to push him out the door. Daily. Frustrated with contract negotiations, he didn't quit, he made the All-Star team instead. Pardon the buzz words, but he remained professional and hard working when everyone around him thought me-first. Downright dysfunction didn't change him. He was asked to max out his minutes while playing out of position the last two years. It may shorten his career in the end. And it wasn't just a matter of "That's his job." No. That's David Lee. Class.
So, as both sides move on, a decade from now I probably won't remember his tip-in against the Bobcats. I won't remember his historic triple double against the Warriors. I definitely won't remember meaningless plays like this. Instead, I'll remember stories of him playing on a Wednesday night, flying out on Thursday morning for his grandfather's funeral, and flying back for the next game on Friday. On his own dime. I'll remember this tweet, a f'ing tweet.
And I'll remember "2010" not for missing out on a player like LeBron James, but for losing a person like David Lee.
Share what you'll remember here.
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beautiful piece, Seth.
couldn’t sleep at all thursday night cuz of trading D. Lee.
felt that hollowness in my abdomen.
Very well said.
Although I’m happy with where we are, I allowed myself to get sucked in by the LeBron hype and so feel a bit of disappointment at what could’ve been, but this post reminds me of what a good thing we had last year in Lee. I’m going to watch the Warriors whenever I can in the hopes that a certain coach won’t break his soul and that he’ll continue as an all-star.
by twincitiesknick on Jul 10, 2010 2:33 PM EDT reply actions
I second that.
Although I was hoping that the Knicks would make an offer to Lee to make him stay. I didn’t watch each and every game because to be frank, it was difficult at times. But David Lee was always in the shine. Eyes were always on him and he made his game presence known. Did his job and contributed what he didn’t have too. My hat is off to the bro and I wish him nothing but success in the future; except when they play the Knicks.
Fan's Creed: (Play well+Win=Praise) (Play Well+Lose=Praise) (Play Lousy+Win=Criticism) (Play lousy+Lose & Bandwagon Jumpers=Off with thier heads!)
by LoNJDTechnology on Jul 10, 2010 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
I’m sad to see him go, but at the same time I’m happy he got his big contract. It must be nice to know that his hard work over the years has paid off. I’m going to try to watch the Warriors whenever I can – the Curry/Lee pick and roll should be nasty.
by wilson chandler's neck tattoo on Jul 10, 2010 2:39 PM EDT reply actions
What I'll remember about David Lee?
Nothing could get that dude down.
When you play in NYC and your team sucks, it’s magnified x100000 more than if you were in Charlotte or Memphis (no disrespect meant to those teams, they’re both on their way up) and I’m sure Dave heard all the jokes, all the mocking, all the disrespect. The All-Star snub, the “why would LeShithead want to come play with the Knicks, they have no good players on their roster!11”, the “he’s just a product of D’Antoni’s system”, never being on a winning team, never going to the playoffs, never getting any sort of recognition for being a solid, day in, day out player just because he was on a team of rentals and Nate Robinson.
And mentioning Nate brings up an excellent point – he and Lee were thought of as a duo a lot but Nate always got the spotlight for the stupid shit he did – shooting at the wrong basket, pissing off the coach, dunk contests, whatever else.
Isiah left us with a lot of crap and a lot of bad memories, a lot of gun shy-ness about big contracts, a lot of resentment. But he also left us with the fucking man himself, a kind, intelligent, hard working, always looking to improve power forward shoe-horned into a center’s role, underappreciated by the media, his organization and maybe sometimes the fans,
David Lee.
Couldn't Have been said better..
He’s a class act, probably the one good thing Isiah ever did for the Knicks was find him.
Will be sorely missed..
As good as Amar’e is(and he is gooooooood) I can’t help but feel like we are losing a true Knick, and one who, as he continues to improve, be of the same standard, and at a better price.
At least he went to Golden State, so we can still cheer for him.
Lee's consistency is what I'll remember
the dude’s constant hustle night in and out. The way he seemed to get better every game.
Not a damn peep of negativity from him, ever. Not shit about anything when he really obviously could (tho he liked to complain to the refs…). Always a team player, no matter what was going on.
The one thing about Lee leaving…maybe we’re shedding the past with him leaving now? Dude was the constant ray of light the whole time he was here, but still….always thought of struggle when I see the Lee “era”, tho not at all is that his fault.
Ushering in a new era of Knicks ball..and if its at the sacrifice of Lee, I guess there’s nothing wrong with that. Much would’ve rather had a way to keep him here.
Lee should fit right in with the Warriors tho. Not just the playing style, but the fans. They’re a whole lot like us…
Hope to see the Warriors in the playoffs one day..tho that probably has never a chance.
Bye, Lee :(
Fit Right?
Your correct about D.Lee, he will fit in perfect with G.S. Score twenty and give up thirty. That means you loose when you give up more then you make. The playoffs are out of the question for D.Lee and the Warriors.
One of the things that occurred to me while all this F.A. shit was happening
I didn’t just want to see the Knicks win, I wanted to see the guys who had been playing their hearts out for the Knicks become winners. Lee more than anyone.
Sucks to see him go, but it had to happen for the team to grow. I guess if he had to go anywhere at least it’s to my adopted hometown. Maybe I’ll see his ass around and get to thank him personally for being the only true bright spot of the last 5 years.
Just saw that tweet about him going to the MSG security guard’s funeral. Pretty much sums up the guy’s character right there
Through all this free agency hoopla I was trying to figure out a scenario that’d allow us to keep him. I couldn’t find any, but I hoped nevertheless. I know we got good players for him, maybe Randolph will ever be even a better player, I don’t know. All I know we didn’t get a better person, a better Knick in the best sense of the word. I know it was a good trade, but still – i want him back.
david
always championed the fist pump after a great play.
twitter.com/aighttho
http://aightthen.tumblr.com/
Also, my favorite play in the last 7-8 years or so...
by twincitiesknick on Jul 10, 2010 3:39 PM EDT reply actions
.
“As they throw it at the baskeooOAOOHOAHOHOAH DAVID LEE!”
by twincitiesknick on Jul 10, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah.
Funny how there is such strong nostalgia and emotion tied into players on terrible teams. Speaking of terrible teams, how the hell did we stay around .500 in the Lenny Wilkens era?
by twincitiesknick on Jul 10, 2010 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
oh man. David Lee’s constant hustle and work ethic is what kept me watching those Knick games. I’m all about the underdog, and David Lee was THE underdog. I really enjoyed seeing this guy blossom into an all-star. i loved how he always had insightful interviews that demonstrated his high Basketball IQ, and love for the game. I’ll never forget his appearance on Family Feud either. “Gotta be the lotions bro!”
He’s got a good thing going on in GS, and we got some really good players for him. Hope he can play his natural position there and dominate the western conference. When the Warriors visit the Garden I’ll be sure to cheer as loud as I can for Lee.
I find it ironic that Lee is at a funeral in NYC while a good amount of NBA players are at Melo’s wedding on a yacht. Too bad it’s raining here. Ha!
Starks > Jordan
during this decade of despair
i never thought that i would place any player with Bernard King, John Starks, and Larry Johnson or even guys like Anthony Mason, Gerald Wilkins (one of my personal favorites – don’t laugh), and Latrell Sprewell. but i have to say with all the losing, punchlines, and sexual harrassment lawsuits during this era, David Lee was the lone bright spot of the last nine-plus years.
since getting back Randolph, Turiaf, and Kaz was such a stroke of brilliance by Walsh, it makes losing Lee sting less. however, i think he’ll be missed by all of us.
Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!
by Anthony Masons Haircut on Jul 10, 2010 4:21 PM EDT reply actions
Fucking amazing piece
<follow me @theinfamousazad
by zlander on Jul 10, 2010 4:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
When Lee first got here
I barely ever got to see the Knicks play, but just looking at the boxscores and the amount of rebounds he got, I thought, “This guy is valuable”. Getting to see him actually play this last year was a treat – he is sometimes described as a garbage man rebounder/2nd chance bucket type of scorer a la Camby, but he’s not that at all. The guy had lightning quick scoring moves around the basket with either hand that were pretty much indefensible, and he showed this year ability to make those big buckets down the stretch.
He also showed he could pass and develop offensive chemistry with guys and even handle the ball and distribute from the top of the key.
I like the intimidation and power that Amar’e brings, but Lee’s a special, unique player who has that holy grail of basketball skills – efficiency. I took pride in understanding his game when few outside of NY really do.
I think Warrior fans will love him, and if he had to leave I’m glad he went to the Warriors, because ever since I lived in SF from 92-2001 I’ve had a soft spot for that long-suffering team. And I think Stephen Curry is the shit, so I hope those guys kick ass over there and he outlasts Don Nelson and their crappy ownership. And I know Knick fans will show him the love he deserves when he visits the Garden for the first time.
Awesome post
Lee was definitely a good player, but from the start of free agency, I just got the vibe that he wanted to move on from here. So it’s not l like we traded the guy, just did some damage control and managed to get some sick players (Randolph) in exchange. Overall I really liked his work ethic, and it sucks that he’s going to be coached by Nelson now. But the Warrior’s have a decent squad, so I wish him the best of luck.
It’s the start of a new era though. When we offload Curry, the stench of IT will be washed away…
I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.
Vince Lombardi
Nellie won't be around much longer
He could be gone as soon as the new ownership takes over, and Ellison will likely be in place before the season starts.
David Lee is a good player … he can rebound his ass off , he can pass , and he’s developed a 15 ft jumper. He’s an overachiever and his effort and grit made him a fan favorite. That being said he’s not a star and right now he’s going to be paid like one. He’s not worth 13.4 million a year sorry. He’s going to be remembered in a similar light to guys like Charles Oakley but Amar’e Stoudemire is a star. People will see this next year when he’s dominating eastern conference power forwards and doesn’t have to match up against Pau Gasol, Tim Duncan , Dirk Nowitzki , Zach Randolph etc. He’s also a better defensive player than Lee who got a pass here because he played out of position. The reason he was playing out of position was because the knicks didn’t have an alternative and he was too slow to guard NBA power forwards without getting into foul trouble. Anyway good luck the Knicks should be in the lower half of the playoffs next year with enough cap space to add another piece in 2011 and/or 2012
by TheBXRepresenta on Jul 10, 2010 5:53 PM EDT reply actions
...
@Chris_Broussard
Knicks Prez Donnie Walsh told me today that Isiah Thomas will be among Knicks GM candidates if they make a hire
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5369726
i would go into cardiac arrest if we was rehired
by J3TSFANFORLYF3 on Jul 10, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions
he did help us get Amare...
ugh….
Bye, Lee :(
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 10, 2010 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
well…. ima chalked it up as he owed us one for the disaster he left here…. but i ll give credit where credit is due thanks isiah…. vomits alil in my mouth
by J3TSFANFORLYF3 on Jul 10, 2010 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
sad to say...
but after reading that article…and facing the fact that the Knicks cap was really fucked due to Layden…One of the comments on there (its not me…) says that as long as Donnie’s on there, Isiah being the scout and all a that…not all that bad.
Isiah apparently would’ve drafted Brandon Jennings too. Tho of course, it also says that if Isiah was GM, we’d have Joe Johnson and Amare right now on max deals.
Donnie’s knows how to manage the cap. Everything he’s done shows that the guy is exceptional at that.
Isiah’s draft record is damn good. I don’t want him as the GM..that’s too much power. Or maybe if he’s GM, he’s gotta go through Donnie.
Cuz apparently, IT has pull…lots of it. And he can scout.
This ain’t as horrible an idea as it sounds…as long as he’s on a leash.
Bye, Lee :(
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 10, 2010 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Isiah’s Draft record is as good any in the sport. He’s an excellent judge of talent not a good coach but he knows a good player when he see’s one and he’s going to be the GM because Jimmy Dolan loves Isiah. Period.
If Donnie Walsh oversees the basketball operations and lets Isiah scout the draft then that’s a good deal. Knick fans will hate the move but I always thought Isiah got a bum rap. Look at his drafts as Knicks GM …
I see a lot of crying about David Lee leaving … Isiah drafted him with the last pick of the first round. The same first round that he also selected Channing Frye and Nate Robinson. That’s a damn good draft class.
i think whoever Walsh picks will be a good hire Chris Mullen is the fav. though … but James Dolan LOVES ISIAH so dont sleep
by TheBXRepresenta on Jul 10, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
man i hope he looking at kevin pritchard too
by J3TSFANFORLYF3 on Jul 10, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
IT did have the best intentions with the Knicks....
its just, I mean…despite his good qualities and the fact that yea, he may have gotten too much of the blame for the previous regime’s failures (kinda like people blame Donnie for Isiah’s failures now…which is just as dumb) but how can you bring this guy back?
I suppose that since its pretty obvious that Donnie’s got the Knicks financially very well under control, and they’re real young…it wouldn’t be bad for Isiah to start off.
But just that name….
Bye, Lee :(
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 10, 2010 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions
i wouldn’t be opposed if he was our scout but im hesitant to let him near the GM chair….
by J3TSFANFORLYF3 on Jul 10, 2010 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
no offense guys
but who gives a shit if Isiah is a great draft evaluator if he was a terrible GM? does it really matter that he drafted guys like Lee, McGrady, and Nate when he traded for guys like Eddy Curry, Maurice Taylor, and Steven Francis?
evaluating the draft is about 50% of being an effective NBA general manager. Isiah completely and magnificently failed at the other 50% of the job to the point where the entire Knicks’ franchise turned into a league-wide punchline.
Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!
by Anthony Masons Haircut on Jul 10, 2010 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions
exactly the point of having Donnie Walsh holding his hand
if they hire back Isiah, and Donnie retires…fuck that.
Bye, Lee :(
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 10, 2010 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
but overall
I’d be really pissed if IT’s brought back. Even if its as a janitor
Bye, Lee :(
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 10, 2010 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
for some reason
I wouldn’t be surprised….
Bye, Lee :(
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 10, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
He's not nearly the player that Lee is, but . . .
I feel a similar way about Nate.
"Dishin' and swishin' in transition"
by Serious Garbage Time on Jul 10, 2010 6:59 PM EDT reply actions
PLEASE
Do not ruin this thread by mentioning Nate Robinson who was the antithesis of Lee.
by LeBronsLegacy.com on Jul 10, 2010 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with your stance … Nate is an ass … speaking of asses do you know what your handle LeBronsLegacy.com means right now ? You guessed it SHIT!
by TheBXRepresenta on Jul 10, 2010 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Great Article
D. Lee did everything right while he was here. I wish him the best in Oakland.
by LeBronsLegacy.com on Jul 10, 2010 7:00 PM EDT reply actions
haha seriously, we need a billboard of stat in that attire right next to the nets one, like im on a boat bitches lol
by FruDaGod2010 on Jul 10, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
well looks pretty retarded now considering the Knicks and Nets are basically the same right now, Nets are doing some dumb spending with their cap tho, they are lucky they have a decent pg and one of the better young centers in the league that will help them out a lil
by FruDaGod2010 on Jul 10, 2010 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
They went all-in on Lebron. Now they don’t know what to do.
by SioneBAAOOOHA on Jul 10, 2010 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions
yea...
all these idiots figured the Knicks were Leballs or bust.
Bye, Lee :(
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 10, 2010 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
he has no balls...
but yea the knicks are fun again. All this 2010 crap really gave people a buzz that wont wear off. NYC wants a competitive team.
With all the hoopla we truly forgot what we had
I am very excited about the talent we have now. But, it would’ve been sweet to have Lee around for the new chapter. He was super likable and classy, and is stillll underrated. I’ll miss the dude and I hope he wins out there.
DLEE
you know when i looked at some of those highlights i actually HAD forgotten them… and he was ridiculous in 2010 with his consistency and never failing impress me with the things I thought he would not be able to do. His breakout year was so unexpected and in my opinion unprecedented in my 30+ years watching the knicks. I will remember Lee for always getting the job done and yes i will remember reading that story about him when his grandfather passed and he didn’t miss those games and thinking “wow… that never happens…”
Dude was all class and too good for the franchise that jerked him around for most of the time he was here. I wish him all the best.
by Knicks Fan in OZ on Jul 10, 2010 8:55 PM EDT reply actions
Someone should tap David on the shoulder
point to this post, and say “read this.” This is how true Lee fans feel about him leaving. It’s only a shame he didn’t leave out as a winner. Good stuff.
by Wilson Chandler's Voicebox on Jul 11, 2010 1:06 AM EDT reply actions
David Lee
Hustle on the Basketball court, diving for the ball, running up and down the court…….A first class individual with a strong will to win……David Lee will be missed….I wish him the very best……No matter what team he plays for.
Remember?
Yeah, he scored twenty and gave up thirty a game. Golden State loves players like this for their sad team. We ended up getting some talent for nothing on this deal.
So just remember the clown was not in demand and he gave up thirty a game and we received some talent for all the loses he was part of for the years as a Knick.
Time to stop.
we all know how you feel on David Lee. You post the same line on like 8 different threads man.
THIS thread is a “thank you” for how loyal he was to NY AND how hard he worked. So while you obviously do not like Lee and will only ever look at him for his defensive flaw (which has also been clearly understood to be enhanced due to the REST of our former frontline players being shitty defenders too. No “help defense” means it doesn’t mattr how good one guys D is, your team sucks overall), don’t fucking spoil this post with that negative shit.
"you're the Rod Thorn in my Chris Bosh side."
by Chris Child's Fist on Jul 12, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
How great is that tweet in the post?
He really is/was all class. Even though Lee didn’t seek it out, the substance of that tweet really should be broadcast as widely as possible.
"Dishin' and swishin' in transition"
by Serious Garbage Time on Jul 12, 2010 11:43 AM EDT reply actions
Always pulled for Golden State
as my “2nd tier out West team”, so, while it’s of very small consolation, I’m glad a class act like David Lee is ending up there.
That's pretty much how I feel about the Knicks
Glad Ronny, Buike, and AR ended up out there.
Cut.
by Butterknuckles on Jul 12, 2010 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
DLee
What i’ll remember most of DLee is the alley-oop tip-in to win a game; his 37-20-10 against GS last year; his relentlessness; his respect for his teammates at all times, no matter who they were or how asinine they behaved; his rarely taking a shot himself if a teammate had a better shot; his learning from all of his coaches, it LW, LB, IT, MDA. If it’s true what someone just said that he is Bird w/o the 3-pt shot, we really lost out. About his poor D-who was better-Al, Curry, Stef, Z-Bo, Nate, Jamal—I’m waiting! We traded DLee for the potential that AR, KA and TR bring to NY. Best of luck DLee.
Curry
The question with Curry now is this: will he stay in MDA’s dog-house? I hope Mike can find a way to rehabilitate him for 10-15 minutes if for no other reason than to be able to raise his value so we can trade him and keep him away from Miami (maybe in Melo or CP3 deal). Earlier this year (prior to FA), Lebron met with Curry, for one of 3 reasons: (a) to pick his brain about playing for MDA (wonder how that went); (b) to recruit him for Cavs; or © to feel him out about joining Dream Team. That is further proof that LBJ, DW and Bosh planned this a long time ago. In 07 Riles raved about how he was a load with the most points in the paint. Remember, Riley still does not have a star at the two most important positions on the court: 1 and 5. If he runs the triangle, he does not need a point, but Riles will never run the triangle, therefore, he needs a 5-NYK should play keep-away with Curry.
One other point-MDA’s rep as a player’s coach has taken a hit from Stef, Nate, and Curry. NO more freeze-out-if the guy’s on the roster, he has to play, at least garbage time.
So true C1970
Pat Riley since the around “07”, he wanted to lure Curry to Miami when Shaq was dealt to Phoenix. Like you mention above, If he can play 10-15 minutes, thats at least good enough, but If the Knicks ever wanted to trade Curry until the trading dead line, get rid of him with a package deal for a superstar sweepstakes… any other team but Miami.
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