Courtney Lee Appreciation Thread

[cbarrier90]

Hopefully making this thread doesn't curse the guy into a slump or an injury, but here it goes...

The Hornets are one of the hottest teams in the NBA for a multitude of reasons: Kemba Walker blossoming into a force on the offensive end, Nic Batum being the do-it-all facilitator and 4th quarter go-to-guy folks didn't expect to see from him in Portland. Al Jefferson getting limited minutes off the bench. Jeremy Lin occasionally channeling Linsanity when the team needs it the most.

But the most important reason might be Courtney Lee.

Backstory: Ever since the departure of Stephen Jackson, it seemed Charlotte was missing an adequate shooting guard to adapt to the modern NBA. While they held promising prospects in MKG and Kemba, they could never quite find an adequate complement at the 2. Gerald Henderson was a solid pro and a good teammate, but was allergic to shooting 3s. Lance Stephenson couldn't adapt to the Hornets system and was an abject disaster in every sense. PJ Hairston had the potential, but could never get the professional part right.

With MKG out, and the Hornets seeing a playoff opportunity, they finally did away with experiments and got the complement they needed. Enter Courtney Lee.

The term for players like Lee is "3 and D," meaning their role on their team is to be a threat from behind the three point line and shut down the opponent's wing play.

Courtney Lee doesnt jump off the stat sheet, averaging only 9 points a game so far in a Hornets uniform. But he has been outstanding in filling in the defensive energy role in MKG's absence, and is shooting an outstanding 42% from 3 point range. A classic case of a vet that knows his role and doesn't try to do too much.

And all of this for the small price of a 2nd round pick, a third point guard (Brian Roberts,) and a problem in PJ that the team couldn't get rid of quick enough (shooting 24% from three before he was injured in Memphis)

Lee is one of the many older upcoming free agent role players the Hornets have to deal with this upcoming offseason, but I would love to have him back at the right price. Chalk another one up for the Rich Cho trade win count. 

[yasuhara2241]

He has been an amazing pick up for the Hornets and we really didn't have to give up a lot. If we can somehow resign all of our players next year we will be in a really good place. 

[pantherfan49]

maybe it was the removal of PJ......

[bLACKpANTHER]

Charlotte FAs this offseason:

Batum - #1 priority.. in my opinion, we gotta throw MAX money at Batum.. with the Cap going up im not worried either.. We tried to throw a MAX contract at Gordon Hayward but Utah matched.. I'd be much happier with Batum than Hayward at this point anyways

Marvin - I'm a little weary to resign Marvin to a big contract.. yes he has been great, but TBH this is a career year for him in every category. I think he will settle back down and we will be up in arms this time come next year if we give him a bucket of cash

Al - he is not nearly the cog of our offense he was 2 years ago. he is no longer the focal point but a great commodity that most teams don't have - the just throw it down to him on the block and get a bucket. Keep him if you can.

Lee - would be a cherry on top to keep him for the right price but wouldn't be terrible if we lost him.
 

[Jase]

1 hour ago, pantherfan49 said:

maybe it was the removal of PJ......

^this

Batum and Lee >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Henderson, PJ, and Stephenson

If you were able to mash the games of henderson, PJ, and Lance together, you have a pretty good player.  Unfortunately they're three different guys.

[bleedsgreenandgold]

Saw this the other night:

 

 

 

[Guest]

On April 1, 2016 at 2:41 PM, bLACKpANTHER said:

Charlotte FAs this offseason:

Batum - #1 priority.. in my opinion, we gotta throw MAX money at Batum.. with the Cap going up im not worried either.. We tried to throw a MAX contract at Gordon Hayward but Utah matched.. I'd be much happier with Batum than Hayward at this point anyways

Marvin - I'm a little weary to resign Marvin to a big contract.. yes he has been great, but TBH this is a career year for him in every category. I think he will settle back down and we will be up in arms this time come next year if we give him a bucket of cash

Al - he is not nearly the cog of our offense he was 2 years ago. he is no longer the focal point but a great commodity that most teams don't have - the just throw it down to him on the block and get a bucket. Keep him if you can.

Lee - would be a cherry on top to keep him for the right price but wouldn't be terrible if we lost him.
 

Agree on those three.  In hindsight, I would take back that J Lamb contract in a heartbeat.  Way too much $$$ with so many high-priority free agents looming, IMO.

[cbarrier90]

Bump! :)

[HeatCheck]

His defense is what I'm most impressed with, especially in a league were players don't always like to play it.

Those two offensive rebounds were huge. We can't forget about that previous one which killed more time off the clock.

[Kakarot]

Great addition. Hope he stays beyond this year.

Sidenote.... @HeatCheck Those hornet teal jerseys are so dope. Best uni's in the city. Dope Avi man.

[the butch]

Linn has carried us through games.  Lee had two clutch rebounds last night, but I'd argue he's far from the most important player for us.  Sure, he's a solid contributor and a step above Lamb, by Linsanity draws contact EVERYWHERE on the court and injects life into our offense when it gets stagnant.  He's bigger than Kemba with an equivalent ball handling ability, that makes him really dangerous.

 

That said, this IS a Lee appreciation thread, and I am totally appreciative.

[Omega Atrocity]

He really obliterated Wade last night.He might be the best team defender I've ever seen play basketball. Courtney Lee is really good, I can't believe he's bounced around the league so much.

[cbarrier90]

BUMP!

[HeatCheck]

Felt he played better defensively last game but once again coming up clutch!