David Lee soaks up Celtics tradition

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics_nba/boston_celtics/2015/09/bulpett_david_lee_soaks_up_celtics_tradition




Bulpett: David Lee soaks up Celtics tradition







Photo by: John Wilcox
GOOD IN GREEN: David Lee walks onto the court before the Celtics scrimmage last night at the Garden.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

By:  Steve Bulpett




In even a brief conversation with David Lee, one gets the message that playing for the Celtics — for this franchise — is more than a little special.

And it’s big, as well, for another member of his family. His mom’s favorite player is a Celtic. And, in what might be considered an upset, Susan Lee’s hoop hero isn’t David Lee.

That would be Dave Cowens, a man who played the final game of his NBA career 13 days before David Lee first appeared on earth in April 1983.

So Lee made sure he crossed paths with the fellow 6-foot-9 banger.

“I know him from back in the day, just from around the league,” Lee said before the Celtics held a closed practice then scrimmaged before a crowd of season ticket-holders at the Garden last night. “I got to meet him when he was working for different teams. He’s a really good guy.

“He’s my mom’s favorite player. I gave her a Dave Cowens autographed basketball for Christmas one year. It was about five or six years ago.”

(It is hoped that a player bringing in modern-day NBA coin went for more giftage than that for his mother.)

Less than a month away from unwrapping the 2015-16 season, Lee is clearly looking forward to playing in front of the Celtics following and beneath Cowens’ retired No. 18, if not in the same old Garden where his mom’s favorite used to work.

Lee played in New York, a place that fancies itself the mecca of basketball. And he played the last five years in Oakland, where Warriors fans turned up their delightful lunacy as the club improved all the way to the 2015 NBA championship.

He’s already seen what it’s like here as a visitor.

“Certainly the history stands out,” Lee said. “Being a guy who knows about the history of the game, that’s big for me. But the biggest thing is, when you come in here on the road, it’s one of the loudest stadiums in the league. There’s great support. I’ve even played in here in years where they were having off-years, and there was still great support. I have a lot of respect for the fan base here and the way they love their basketball.

“I think more than anything it’s great to know about that history and respect it, but I think as players we look at the present and see the opportunity we have to add to that. To have a great season, I think that’s what we worry about first and foremost.

“What’s great to know is that there is a history, and it’s been done here before. It’s great to know that we have the support.”

And in regards to that issue, Lee isn’t just pandering to the masses. He sees that support as a tangible benefit to the basketball operation.

“We saw it last year in Golden State,” Lee said. “We were 39-2 at home. So to have that homecourt advantage is huge. To be able to win games at home and have that energy when you come out, you know, when it’s in the middle of February and everybody’s tired, you know you’re going to get that help from the fans. That’s huge. When you can protect your home court, that’s one of the biggest things about making the playoffs.

“To know that we have support around the city here is enormous.”

Another new guy, Amir Johnson, has a similar perspective. He’s visited here as a Piston and Raptor, seeing the Celts during good times and lean.

“Big,” said Johnson, giving a scouting report on the Garden atmosphere. “The fans were definitely rowdy. The fans are one of a kind, definitely. It’s definitely a good place to be at. These fans definitely bleed green, so I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Talking about the years when he played against struggling Celtics outfits, Johnson said of the fans, “They’re still here. Like I said, these fans only bleed one color, and that’s green. And I love it.”

Lee is confident the crowd will welcome a former rival. After all, Cowens embraced him. That may have been more difficult, with Lee out of the University of Florida and Cowens a Florida State legend.

“I know, right?” said Lee. “We had a major issue with that at first, but once we got over that we were fine.”

Susan Lee would accept nothing less.



bob


.

I said it the day they traded for him, David Lee has always been one of my favorite players. I always thought he would look great in Green! Now here's hoping that he finishes his career here in Boston, but, you just cannot bank
on that. He has heart, loves to play the game and is tough. I am looking forward to watching him play on this team.

Rosalie

RosalieTCeltics wrote:I said it the day they traded for him, David Lee has always been one of my favorite players. I always thought he would look great in Green!  Now here's hoping that he finishes his career here in Boston, but, you just cannot bank
on that. He has heart, loves to play the game and is tough.  I am looking forward to watching him play on this team.  

Rosalie

Rosalie,

Everybody knows he can score. Everybody knows he can rebound. Everybody also knows he's not a great defender but I'm betting he will open up a lot of eyes on this board about how well he passes.


bob


.

RosalieTCeltics wrote:I said it the day they traded for him, David Lee has always been one of my favorite players. I always thought he would look great in Green!  Now here's hoping that he finishes his career here in Boston, but, you just cannot bank
on that. He has heart, loves to play the game and is tough.  I am looking forward to watching him play on this team.  

Rosalie

Hi Rosalie,

It's good to see we're on the same page concerning David Lee. I've also always wanted to see him in Green. I think he and Amir Johnson are going to surprise a lot of poeple with their contributions to this years winning season.

Berlin-T

Hi Berlin--there are those players out there, not many, who just have that mentality that we are used to seeing here in Boston. David Lee is one of them.
I think being on a Stevens led team, even at his age, he will become a better defensive player than before. He is loves the game, that is an important factor in his development here. Time will tell, but I do think we will be pleasantly surprised by him. I cannot wait for the season to start, with all this young fresh talent, eager to learn and impress. I am just sorry that Sam is not here to enjoy the next run.

Rosalie

agree with all who think the potential upside for David Lee - on a CELTICS team, with Coach Stevens - is lovely to contemplate !
and with bob in particular about both his scoring and even more his passing.
he sees the court. he sees cutters. he gets them the ball. i think he makes others better. i thought he did that in his fairly limited court time with the champs last year. he was there when they needed experience, savvy and holding down the court... er, fort. <s>

sure, an uptick on D would be a plus ... i'm thinking C's tradition and Steven's mentality may help that happen.

definite P-O-T-E-N-T-I-A-L for a nice contribution !

Big, aka Michael K

bigpygme wrote:agree with all who think the potential upside for David Lee - on a CELTICS team, with Coach Stevens - is lovely to contemplate !
and with bob in particular about both his scoring and even more his passing.  
he sees the court.  he sees cutters. he gets them the ball.  i think he makes others better. i thought he did that in his fairly limited court time with the champs last year.  he was there when they needed experience, savvy and holding down the court... er, fort. <s>

sure, an uptick on D would be a plus ... i'm thinking C's tradition and Steven's mentality may help that happen.  

definite P-O-T-E-N-T-I-A-L for a nice contribution !

Big, aka Michael K

Hi bigpygme, nice to see you again.

We're getting closer to gametime. Every day, a little closer.


bob


.

thx - pleasure's mine, bob.

i still feel Sam's warm welcoming presence, and am looking forward to re-connecting with you and so many others.

(Q - were you part of the group of four from here that met in Boston back in 2010 ? i can't quite remember.
... can't quite remember breakfast either, so maybe there's a theme here ...)

best

Michael/ Big