Doesn't seem to be a lot of Courtney Lee excitement here: there should be.

[csfansince60s]

I think that this kid is gonna open a lot of eyes here and thrive as the starting 2 guard, to the point of supplanting AB when AB is healthy.

I understand that with the KG, Bass, Green and Jet signings as well as the promise and infatuation many of us share about the 4 rookies (I'm including Christmas), Lee's acquisition hasn't generated a ton of discussion once the initial newness of his being a Celtic wore off.

So this post is to give the kid the props he deserves.

In the '08 draft, many mocks, especially the early ones had Courtney Lee (he was my first choice) and/or George Hill falling to us at 30. Well, Orlando grabbed Lee at #22 and SA grabbed Hill at #26 and we ended up with  "good riddance" Giddens. Oh, well!

As a rook, Lee thrived in Orlando starting in 42 of the 77 games that he played. VanGundy obviously thought a lot of him.

Because he was on 3 different teams in his 4 years in the league, I think that often there is a certain stigma attached to that. None of that was Lee's fault, however.

He wasn't traded from Orlando to the Nets for a bag of balls (Ryan Anderson and Vince Carter). Lee then went to Houston in a 4 team trade where the Rockets in effect traded Ariza (who landed in NO) for Lee. (No bag of balls here either).

Lee languished his 1st year in Houston behind Kevin Martin, only starting 1 game of the 81 he played and only averaging 20 minutes. Last year for the Rockets, he started 26 of 58 games and played over 30 minutes per game.

Lee's career 44% FGA and 39% 3pt avg and 83% FTA say starter to me on a contending team. Lee is strong, plays tenacious D and has a very solid mid-range game, especially with his ability to hit that stop on a dime, 4ft pullup jumper in the lane.

I can see Lee starting for us for many years to come. There's a reason why, aside from personal ties, that Doc loves this kid. Doc knows that Lee will flourish here in this system. Except in Orlando, as a rook, he really wasn't given a chance.

Can't wait to watch this kid play in Green.

[celtic -_- pride]

i think we are all excited about the acquisition, ive been a fan of him since his orlando days. its just the off-season, after free agent period etc.it can get quiet. its usually dead until preseason most of the time, but i agree for the people not familiar with him they will love his game/youth. dude can ball

[kp4000]

It's not even close to pre-season. There's nothing to be excited about at the moment.

[scaryjerry]

It's not even close to pre-season. There's nothing to be excited about at the moment.

Ok/good young role player who generated far too much excitement when he was signed...he does nothing elite, Avery Bradley is an elite defender and if healthy a better player

[Moranis]

It's not even close to pre-season. There's nothing to be excited about at the moment.

Ok/good young role player who generated far too much excitement when he was signed...he does nothing elite, Avery Bradley is an elite defender and if healthy a better player

I agree.  Lee is a 26 year old journeyman.  If he is Boston's starting SG, Boston is in trouble.

[mmmmm]

I totally concur that I think Lee is going to be a great fit with the Celtics.

I'm not so sure that he'll permanently hold off Bradley from taking back that starting 2 spot, though.

Defensively, Lee and Bradley are both fantastic and you can argue over who is ultimately more valuable there (Lee has size.  Bradley has unbelievably fast feet and on-ball skills).

I know it sounds strange to give Bradley the 'edge' offensively, but that is where, ultimately, I might give it.   Lee is a great outside shooter.  But he almost never (at least historically) goes inside.   Bradley has a limited NBA track record, but his shooting form, H.S., D-League and college data all indicate he should also be a very good outside shooter.  But Bradley is also an excellent cutter and finisher at the rim and should, as he matures, be more versatile on offense.

Now, Doc may end up using Lee in more varied ways on offense than other coaches have.  So maybe he'll show more versatility on offense.

Ultimately, once Bradley gets back healthy - this is a great 'problem' to have!

Our back court should be one of the strongest in the NBA.

[More Banners]

Well, there's that elephant in the room...

It's hard to get excited about Lee without knowing what that means for Bradley, who has managed to pretty much win most of us over.  JET is signed for three years, and Rondo is the all star leader.  There isn't much if any playing time for a 4th guard, and in a no-minutes role, Dooling is more than adequate.

Considering trades in the next year or so, I'd say Rondo's as close to off the table as possible, and I'd think that with JET's veteran status and what Lee did in choosing to come here (in a sense, I think), I'd say they're not likely to be talked up in trades, either.

Lee coming aboard makes Bradley trade bait at the deadline, but there's no way to tell what we could possibly add?

I think if Bradley was healthy, there's no reason to add Lee (though it was pretty cool how Danny pulled that off).

But there is no doubt we have an incredibly potent lineup of scoring guards right now with the addition of both JET and Lee, shoring up what was at times not a position of strength last season.  If Rondo plays his usual 36 minutes, Lee and Terry could easily play 30 each.

Lee next to Rondo could be a scoring machine.  Ditto for JET.  Lee and JET together will really space the floor with Green and Sully.  Or Pierce, Bass, and KG.  Or Wilcox, Green, and Bass...

If Doc can make this offense run efficiently, the scoring droughts might be a thing of the past.

[bballee]

I think he will be the most pleasant surprise of the off-season signings.  Remember wishing we had drafted him when we played Orlando in the playoffs.  I think he will really blossom here.
http://www.celtic-nation.com/blog/2012/08/24/sq1225-better-days-to-come/
I suppose all this is why I’m much more excited about Courtney Lee than Jason Terry.

[csfansince60s]

It's not even close to pre-season. There's nothing to be excited about at the moment.

Ok/good young role player who generated far too much excitement when he was signed...he does nothing elite, Avery Bradley is an elite defender and if healthy a better player

I agree.  Lee is a 26 year old journeyman.  If he is Boston's starting SG, Boston is in trouble.

He may be a "journeyman" in the literal sense, but definitely not in the figurative sense.

He was valued highly by Orlando and the Nets. Houston in effect gave up Ariza to get him (even though, granted, it was partly done for financial reasons). The Nets gave up Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson for him (and Rafer Alston).

In Houston, he played in Kevin Martin's shadow.

If you define journeyman as someone who has played on numerous teams, then that he is, but he does not have journeyman's skills and talents. Those are more of the starter variety.

[CelticG1]

Lee doesn't excite people like Green. There's no real wow factor.

People remember Bradley block on Wade or his defense on Nelson and it gets them riles up. Green didn't have any wow moments like that and Lee doesn't really either so people aren't gonna get excites.

Courtney Lee journeyman? Bradley almost got his "starting job" of back up point takenby Moore. Let's not exaggerate. No one really considers Lee a journeyman unless you are talking the literal sense. If you do believe that than you mist think it was an absolute bonehead trade and signing in which case I disagree with you.

Im pumped about both guys and excited for the competition. The gap is a lot closer than some people (for some weird reason like its a bad thing ) want to admit

[SHAQATTACK]

Lee has been sorta looking for the right team, much like Wilcox to me anyways.  Hopefully he'll be a fit at Boston.

[ianboyextreme]

Maybe you werent on the forum the week after he got signed cause the overall sentiment was very similar to your.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Most of us were excited when he officially became a Celtic. This is basically old news now.

[LooseCannon]

He was valued highly by Orlando and the Nets. Houston in effect gave up Ariza to get him (even though, granted, it was partly done for financial reasons). The Nets gave up Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson for him (and Rafer Alston).

So, your argument is that Courtney Lee must be good because the Magic and Nets have been good valuers of talent and we should trust their judgment?

I doubt Courtney Lee will ever be better than "guy worth the full MLE, but not more".

[BballTim]

He was valued highly by Orlando and the Nets. Houston in effect gave up Ariza to get him (even though, granted, it was partly done for financial reasons). The Nets gave up Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson for him (and Rafer Alston).

So, your argument is that Courtney Lee must be good because the Magic and Nets have been good valuers of talent and we should trust their judgment?

I doubt Courtney Lee will ever be better than "guy worth the full MLE, but not more".

  Actually signing a player worth the full MLE to a MLE contract would be quite a coup. Most of the players that get that money tend to make their teams regret signing them.