David Lee Admits He Was Out Of Shape During Stint With Boston Celtics

http://nesn.com/2016/03/david-lee-admits-he-was-out-of-shape-during-stint-with-boston-celtics/

David Lee wasn’t exactly a great fit with the Boston Celtics, and Lee himself has no problem explaining why that was the case.

The veteran forward came to the Celtics last summer via a trade with the Golden State Warriors. He started the first three games of Boston’s season, but by January, his minutes had all but disappeared. So, how did the two-time All-Star and NBA champion go from starter and key rotation player to an end-of-the-bench space filler?

“I came in, I wasn’t in shape, I didn’t play my best and lost my job,” Lee recently told the San Jose Mercury News’ Marcus Thompson II. “All that did was make me ask, ‘What do I not have that I had before?’ I wasn’t in as good of shape.”

That’s a pretty frank admission for a player like Lee, whose game is built on energy and hustle. Yet, ironically enough, the 32-year-old made the most of his situation in Boston by ramping up his workouts when his playing time dwindled.

His efforts appear to be paying off, as Lee has seemed invigorated since signing with the Dallas Mavericks shortly after the Celtics waived him at the NBA trade deadline. The veteran big man is averaging 10.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game through 15 contests with Dallas, and while the Mavs have struggled of late, Lee is happy to be getting significant minutes again.

“In my opinion, I’m playing as good a ball as I’ve played in a number of years,” Lee said. “After really getting back into shape, I feel great out there. I think I have three, four years left, one more deal, then we’ll see from there.”

It’s unfortunate Lee’s apparent wake-up call didn’t come sooner, as the Celtics would have benefited from his strong play and veteran leadership after shelling out $15 million for his one-year contract last summer.

Is there truth to this or is he just setting himself for another contract? I want to believe this is just BS and he just didn't have the skillset to play in Brad's system.

Thoughts?

Well, if he was not in shape he can only blame himself. I am sure that Stevens is not going to blame him, but a veteran player who is not in shape to play each and every year makes a huge mistake every time that he does not show up in shape.

I remember reading about Paul Pierce blowing everyone away each year in the special conditioning drill the Cs are know for even at the end of his career in Boston when he already had earned the honor of eventually having his #34 retired to the rafters. So, David Lee, if you were not in shape you may have cost yourself a spot on a very good team this year and possibly even a good sized last contract this summer.

I remember from the first Knicks game, Knicks fans were saying "man, Lee really let himself go."

I guess Knicks and Warriors fans were in a better position to see that than us Celtics fans.