Celtics Should Benefit from Lee's Veteran Presence

http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/072715-Celtics-Should-Benefit-from-Lees-Veteran-Presence



Celtics Should Benefit from Lee's Veteran Presence

Posted: Jul 27, 2015



By Taylor C. Snow |  @Celtics
Celtics.com
July 27, 2015







The youthful Boston Celtics thrived during the second half of the 2014-15 regular season, but hit a roadblock as soon as they began their first-round playoff matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Boston matched Cleveland’s drive and grit, but it lacked All-Star caliber talent and players with extensive postseason experience.

At the time, the most experienced regular contributor on the roster was 29-year-old Brandon Bass, who parted ways with the team earlier in July when he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Celtics weren’t interested in entering the 2015-16 campaign without obtaining a strong on-court veteran presence. Today, the organization addressed the concern, acquiring 32-year-old power forward David Lee from the defending champion Golden State Warriors, in exchange for Gerald Wallace and Chris Babb.

The 6-foot-9, two-time All-Star should step in as the most well-rounded offensive big man on the team. He will offer veteran leadership and more championship experience than the entire Celtics roster combined.

During his 10-year career – which has been split equally between New York and Golden State – Lee has averaged 14.7 points and 9.5 rebounds (2.7 offensive) per game. That includes a six-year stretch from 2008-14, during which he averaged 18.2 PPG and 10.7 RPG.

Last year, however, his numbers dropped significantly. Lee was sidelined early in the season with a leg injury, lost his spot in Golden State’s starting rotation to the up-and-coming Draymond Green, and saw his court time nearly cut in half to just 18.4 minutes per game. As a result, he averaged just 7.9 PPG and 5.2 RPG; his lowest output since his 2005-06 rookie campaign.

Lee has been given a chance to potentially return to that production in Beantown, on a team that could use his offensive prowess and likely provide him with the playing time he deserves.

While his scoring ability should be of great value to the team, Lee also has the potential to step in as the team’s top rebounder. His career average of 9.46 RPG is the eighth-highest active mark in the NBA and exceeds any single season Celtics mark since Al Jefferson corralled 11 per contest during the 2005-06 season.

Scoring-wise, most of Lee’s production comes from within the paint. During his last full NBA season in 2013-14, 79 percent of his shot attempts were taken from within the lane. You’re not going to see him extend his shot past the arc very often – he’s 1-of-28 from 3-point land for his career. But inside the perimeter, he’s extremely efficient, boasting a lifetime .533 shooting percentage.

Given his nature on the offensive end, Lee should be able to take some of the scoring load off of Isaiah Thomas, who averaged 19 PPG off the bench for the green and white last season. The next-closest scoring average was Avery Bradley, with 13.9 PPG. Thomas and Lee have the potential to form great chemistry on the court, especially in pick and roll situations, a play with which Lee thrives.

The younger players on the team should also benefit, simply because of his veteran presence.

Lee has experienced the ups and downs of the league, and even has a pair of All-Star appearances under his belt. No one else on the team has earned a single All-Star selection.

Acquiring Lee is another steal of a move by Danny Ainge and the Celtics. While Wallace will be missed on the bench, his motivating presence was about all he could offer to the organization at this point in his career. Lee should be able to offer both production and leadership.

After all, he is only three seasons removed from his most recent All-Star appearance, when he averaged 18.5 and 11.2 during the 2012-13 campaign. Even if he can partially regain that high-caliber output, the Celtics frontcourt will be in a much better place than it was last year, and his leadership should go a long way come playoff time.



bob
MY NOTE:  David Lee shoots 53% from 2 for his career.  This off year the article referred to?  He still shot 51% and his rebounding/minute was about the same.  The "off" part of it was his minutes and they went down because an injury took him out of the starting lineup and Draymond Green blossomed and never relinquished his spot. I'm telling you, I've been watching this guy for his entire career.  I watched him kill us again and again in NY and I've been watching him out here in Cali and he can play, still.  He won't be the wrath of God on defense in the locker room Crash was but he will provide leadership to our young'uns.  To get him for towel-waver Gerald Wallace and Chris Babb is Danny working magic.


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I hope Wallace comes back as an assistant coach.

Just another in an avalanche of savvy moves by Danny. On one hand, tis acquisition may signal the end to a search for a defensive stud at center. as I expect Lee to play a lot of center. On the other hand, the Celtics' defense last season was ahead of its offense, so maybe upgrading the offense isn't the worst thing in the world, particularly if Lee and Amir are playing side-by-side.

Sam