David Lee a Diamond in the Rough

by Greg Ferraro

Pop quiz: which center in the NBA this season averages the most points per a game? I’ll give you a hint, he is third in the league in rebounding this year.  You probably answered: Dwight Howard or Tim Duncan.  But you would be wrong.  The answer is David Lee…wait, David Lee? Yep, the undersized center from the New York Knicks has been the only bright spot on a franchise which has floundered for the last decade.

As of today (March 11^th, 2010) Lee is averaging 20. 3 points and 11.6 rebounds a game.  He made the All-Star team this season, the first Knick to make an all-star team in nine years. After Nate Robinson was dealt to the Celtics, Lee has become the overall fan favorite in New York.  Lee is putting up career numbers, in his final contract year with the Knicks.  However there is a real chance that no matter how great a season Lee has, he might not return with the team.

Donnie Walsh, team president of the Knicks, has cleared over $100 Million in cap room over the last two years. The Knicks will have a significant amount of money ($30 million under the cap) going into the offseason; they will likely be looking at guys like Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh.  New York could possibly sign two of those prime time players (leaving enough money for the Knicks to sign a houseplant as their starting point guard). But why not sign one of those players and bring back Lee. He has showed massive improvement. He has bettered his mid range shot, shooting over 40% from 15 feet and out.  Even players around the league have noticed – here is what Spurs center Tim Duncan said: “I think he has improved tremendously,” and the three time NBA MVP also added, “every year I see him he gets better. He works really hard and plays really hard. You have to love that about a guy.”

The fans understand that it’s a business, but also hope that some way, some how, the Knicks can bring back the blue collar player: “I would like to see Lee stay, he’s a great face for the organization but with the slew of moves the Knicks will make I am not sure he will fit into the game plan when it’s all over,” said Seth Rosenwasser, Knicks season ticket holder. One thing no one will question is Lee’s passion, Rosenwasser added, “when he came out on fan appreciation day and addressed the fans about the season, I actually felt like he meant it.”

Knicks management might not even notice they have a diamond in the rough, but in the upcoming offseason, I am sure another NBA team will.

Follow Greg Ferraro at twitter.com/gregferraro