The NY Times has a GREAT article on David Lee’s new found ability to hit the deep outside shot. I have to admit, it took a little while for that ‘David Lee is taking an outside shot’-knot in my stomach to disappear. Even earlier in the season, I would cringe. But, coinciding with the Knicks turning around their season in December, Lee’s competence from outside slowly became the norm. Check out this great chart, courtesy of the Times:
In 35 games this season Lee has already taken as many 16+ footers as he did all of last year and is hitting at 45%, a very respectable clip (and 11% better than last year). His confidence and competence with the outside shot has opened up the rest of his game, and opened up the game for the rest of the team. If Lee has to be defended out to 20 feet, defenders can’t cheat off of him and crowd the likes of Gallo and company. It’s a great illustration of how one players success will make life easier on his teammates.
I’d put David’s success from outside, along with Jared Jeffries galvanizing defensive effort, as the big difference-makers from the previous season.
#1 by AY on January 11, 2010 - 5:25 pm
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It’s so easy to underappreciate what D. Lee is doing this year, but his ability to finish around the rim and great hands are really exceptional. He’s driving around people due to them having to respect his outside shot. His continued improvement has made me a believer (when I really wasn’t before).
Now I just want to see him mug someone every so often – Scola ate him up on the post in the Houston game. Still, he’s plenty more good than bad out there!
#2 by YesandtheFoul on January 11, 2010 - 9:54 pm
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Yeah, I’ll never develop a full-on mancrush for David Lee until he starts to knock some opponents on their ass on the defensive end. He still is a matador who’s petrified of collecting fouls. But, his offensive game has been outstanding in all regards, especially now that he’s hitting form outside. It’s opened everything up.
And, really, why complain? He’s no worse defensively, and probably better, than a lot of other top shelf big men like Amare, ZBo, Shaq, etc. He is trying defensively. His big weakness is being afraid of making a physical foul.