Lee NOT HAPPY with his playing time/Stevens substitutions today

[saltlover]

Prefacing by saying I don't think he should have popped off to the media.

That said, he's been playing some of the best basketball of his career this year, shooting-wise, and it's not close.  At the same time, he's playing 10 minutes fewer per game this year than he has for his career, and several minutes fewer than he did last year in a similar guard rotation.  Presumably he worked very hard on his shooting this year to improve it, and feels he should get more minutes, because he's been a good soldier, and again, is playing very well.  Meanwhile, he's been in trade rumors all season long, and especially this week.  And soon Rondo will be back and he might be cut from the rotation.  The frustration is understandable, if, again, annoying.

[Ogaju]

my understanding is that he owes his improved performance to this coaching staff. Have you considered that maybe his improvement is partly owed to reduced minutes. Maybe the staff has gauged him and determined he does not have the stamina to be effective for more than the minutes he is given.

After all, Stevens is a stats guy.

I have never been in the favor of players that mouth off at lack of playing time to the press. You deal with it in house, or you become a distraction to the team.

It is one thing to call out your teammates but when you call out the coach, that is insubordination and it is time to go.

[Ogaju]

did someone just type that Lee has a right to bad on the new coach because he is new? That is an interesting take I do not share.

The coach is your coach whether new or old you have to respect the chain of command to be a 'good soldier'. You cannot deal with the structure it is time to do the honorable thing and resign.

[Shamrocker]

It's no coincidence that Lee barked when he did. This is what happens when you publicly dangle someone in trade talks. They lose their faith in the organization, and the direction of the basketball club. Danny Aingle says "these are big boys", and "it's a business" but what he fails to realize is these guys are human. Some guys can handle it, most can't.

This was one of Ray's complaint. He was sick of being trade bait. If you dangle someone in public, you better deal them.

[D.o.s.]

"So, Courtney, how did it feel to sit for the entire second half of the game today?"

"Bad."

"Just bad?"

"Yeah, not good."

*NBA fines Lee $20,000 for violating the spirit of the media sessions.*

[sed522002]

"So, Courtney, how did it feel to sit for the entire second half of the game today?"

"Bad."

"Just bad?"

"Yeah, not good."

*NBA fines Lee $20,000 for violating the spirit of the media sessions.*

Oh come on, he could have said plenty, been honest, without anyone misconstruing his words or intent. They've interviewed Hump plenty of times and you know he says what's on his mind, but he kept it professional while stile expressing that he would like to play more.

[D.o.s.]

"So, Courtney, how did it feel to sit for the entire second half of the game today?"

"Bad."

"Just bad?"

"Yeah, not good."

*NBA fines Lee $20,000 for violating the spirit of the media sessions.*

Oh come on, he could have said plenty, been honest, without anyone misconstruing his words or intent. They've interviewed Hump plenty of times and you know he says what's on his mind, but he kept it professional while stile expressing that he would like to play more.

Sure. I just think the idea that people should stay quiet if they're not happy isn't based on any kind of reality, since the NBA has a track record for fining teams and players for not taking the media seriously.

My guess is that Lee was p---ed he didn't play, the reporter asked him about it, and Lee just went off. Based on the structure of the paragraphs, it looks like there were some fairly incendiary leading questions "Well have you talked to coach stevens about it? Do you want/would you consider asking for  a trade?" etc. that didn't make it to the final story.

This stuff doesn't just come out of the ether.

[sed522002]

"So, Courtney, how did it feel to sit for the entire second half of the game today?"

"Bad."

"Just bad?"

"Yeah, not good."

*NBA fines Lee $20,000 for violating the spirit of the media sessions.*

Oh come on, he could have said plenty, been honest, without anyone misconstruing his words or intent. They've interviewed Hump plenty of times and you know he says what's on his mind, but he kept it professional while stile expressing that he would like to play more.

Sure. I just think the idea that people should stay quiet if they're not happy isn't based on any kind of reality, since the NBA has a track record for fining teams and players for not taking the media seriously.

My guess is that Lee was p---ed he didn't play, the reporter asked him about it, and Lee just went off. Based on the structure of the paragraphs, it looks like there were some fairly incendiary leading questions "Well have you talked to coach stevens about it? Do you want/would you consider asking for  a trade?" etc. that didn't make it to the final story.

This stuff doesn't just come out of the ether.

I can understand his frustrations with everything that happened this week. Of course those were answers to questions that he was asked but no one forced him to give the answers that were given. I'm sure they're going to follow up with him about this interview...going to be interesting what he says.

[86MaxwellSmart]

it's simple....Stevens was resting Lee for Sunday's game---2nd of back to backs...c'mon Courtney-!

[celtic -_- pride]

It's no coincidence that Lee barked when he did. This is what happens when you publicly dangle someone in trade talks. They lose their faith in the organization, and the direction of the basketball club. Danny Aingle says "these are big boys", and "it's a business" but what he fails to realize is these guys are human. Some guys can handle it, most can't.

This was one of Ray's complaint. He was sick of being trade bait. If you dangle someone in public, you better deal them.

yeah i agree with this completely. i've always wondered what nba players think of danny ainge league wide. everybody likes job security and wants to feel important.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

It's no coincidence that Lee barked when he did. This is what happens when you publicly dangle someone in trade talks. They lose their faith in the organization, and the direction of the basketball club. Danny Aingle says "these are big boys", and "it's a business" but what he fails to realize is these guys are human. Some guys can handle it, most can't.

This was one of Ray's complaint. He was sick of being trade bait. If you dangle someone in public, you better deal them.

yeah i agree with this completely. i've always wondered what nba players think of danny ainge league wide. everybody likes job security and wants to feel important.

Please! Ray didn't say a word at all until he was gone! RR is brought up in trades more than anyone and he was a hair from being gone for CP3 and he doesn't whine! MUCH of the league has been in a rumor or more, few speak on it in a negative way, most with good PR just say it's a business. They don't take it out on coaches and why would they when most coaches don't make that decision (guys like Doc do)! You didn't play ONE FRIGGEN HALF, get over yourself, ESPECIALLY when what you do comes as a dime a dozen! Ungrateful twit! People on benches all across the league would kill for 17 mins a game, heck Marshon would Tonya Harding that knee if it wasn't illegal! Just STUPID talking about 1 half! Makes 6m to cry! A HALF GOT DANG IT, A HALF!!! STUPID!

[furball]

What happens when Rondo returns and he loses all of his minutes? 

Also, Other guys have this happen to them all the time.  Fav never knows when he'll play, Kelly gets yanked in and out.  It's clear that Stevens doesn't have a set rotation once the game starts.  Is Lee just not paying attention?

[crimson_stallion]

Considering how crap Lee played todayand how great Bradley played I can't seewhy Stevens should havekept him in...    ,   

[CFAN38]

In the end it comes down to the fact that DA needs to make a few moves before rondo comes back. Either lee or crawford needs to be moved to avoid someone getting alot of DNPs.  Depth is great but it gets to a point where it will just be a huge pain for Stevens to manage minutes.

[mgent]

Fair enough. He is too good a player to be happy with only 17mpg.

This is what I was thinking.

Considering his minutes last year, Lee was probably really excited by the combination of Pierce/Terry leaving and Rondo's injury, only to be disappointed.

Pressey is FINALLY improving, but he still hasn't even approached Lee's level.  Rondo's injury was the perfect opportunity to give Lee tons of confidence, and instead Stevens is taking his confidence away.  Absolutely no way Pressey should be above Lee in the rotation, especially considering the fact that you can't play 4 PGs as your guard rotation once Rondo comes back.