David Lee complaining about minutes

[CelticPride2016]

I haven't read this thread yet, but to hear that David Lee is complaining about minutes makes my blood boil. He has played some of the worst basketball I've ever seen from someone not named Fab Melo or James Young.

How many times can someone turn the ball over on drives to the hoop or get blocked so often?

I was done with this guy already and figured have him take a seat at the end of the bench and mentor younger players. I am new to this topic, but my initial impression is that this sounds not very different from what Bogans said.

I didn't mind Gerald Wallace complaining. He wanted wins, not personal glory.

I didn't mind Crowder either last week because he wasn't saying play me, me, me, but rather it'd be nice to have more set roles, etc..

This is a good opportunity for Danny and Brad to trim the rotation. If David Lee wants to keep making trouble for such a bad player on the downslide, then kick him off the team. Send him home like was done to Bogans.

[Neurotic Guy]

I agree with those who see this as desire to play as opposed to complaining.  Any evidence that Lee's attitude is a problem for Stevens, Ainge, or his teammates?  Once there is a shred of evidence of that, I'll consider it a problem. Till then, just a veteran who wants to play.  Are we sure Zeller hasn't had the same conversation with Stevens?

[CelticPride2016]

I have more Sympathy for Zeller than I do Lee...Lee had his chance-and played like 4 good games--and missed Countless layups....Zeller played better than this last season--He should get Lee's minutes.

Rollie reasoned and I agreed that Lee might have ruined the early part of the season for Zeller. Now that Lee has opened up his big mouth to complain about minutes he doesn't deserve, Jordan Mickey should be ahead of him. David Lee is an awful basketball player and in denial that his career is basically over. He adds nothing to a team since he can't stop turning it over or gets blocked way too often.

He had a good defensive sequence against Cousins. I think he got lucky. Lee is usually not much less of a liability on defense than Isaiah. Yet at least with Thomas, the other four know they will have to watch his back more often. It's the trade off for his great skills on offense.

I'm glad Lee opened up his mouth. Now Stevens has an excuse to start playing Zeller and possibly Mickey more often. I thought the big three for bigs would be Amir, Kelly, and Tyler. Sully has surprised me. I think Zeller should be #4 after Kelly and before Jordan. David Lee is dead Celtic walking. There's no chance in hell he gets resigned. I think he might have just signed his ticket out of the league. Who is going to want him on their team? I give Wallace better odds than Lee for getting a new contract.

David "Crash" Lee used to be a menace. That was five years ago. It's been a slow fade into the sunset for him, but a giant fade indeed.

[ssspence]

Just waive him. I'd rather see Zeller or Mickey play his minutes.

Can't. His contract is key to potential deadline deals.

[Kuberski33]

Amir has been a legit upgrade over Bass.

Last night he was our only big who looked like he could match up with SA defensively.  He played a great game.

[2short]

Tp

That is NOT complaining. All he is saying is that he will continue to put in full effort to be worthy of more minutes. Did you people actually read the full quote?

There is nothing wrong with what he said. Stevens would be happy with what he said. He wants all the player to have drive and to desire to do more for the team. Do you want him to just cash his check and be happy with a diminished role? Has he at any point shown that he is giving less effort or is being hard to coach?

Here is an earlier part of the article:

“That’s all I can do, is be ready to play 25, 30 but realize that’s not going to be the case most nights,” said Lee, who is averaging 6.9 points as a reserve. “I can choose to be frustrated by it or I can choose to make the most out of my time and make a positive contribution and find a way to do it in different ways.

“I don’t know where it’s going to be, but I know I’m going to be aggressive and I’m going to play with energy. That’s what I’m going to focus on.”

The OP is just trying to start trouble. Don't take the bait.

I'm fine with what Lee says.  I think he brings a lot to the team.  Our problem is we have a log jam of power forward center type guy.  Add to this no one player is a stand out.  Sully, Lee, Jj, Johnson, ko, and seller have all played good sometime and not so good at others.  Anyone of them could complain about pt. notice Kelly has gotten fewer minutes last few games?

[Jon]

This thread insane. Lee is saying exactly what any player should say: he's not complaining; he's just telling his coach he wants to be a part of the rotation and is inquiring how to do it.

[Redz]

This thread insane. Lee is saying exactly what any player should say: he's not complaining; he's just telling his coach he wants to be a part of the rotation and is inquiring how to do it.

shazam!

[dreamgreen]

He came into camp out of shape, if it was that important to him he should have put in more effort back than.

[Tr1boy]

This thread insane. Lee is saying exactly what any player should say: he's not complaining; he's just telling his coach he wants to be a part of the rotation and is inquiring how to do it.

why does he have to inquire? How long has he been in the league?

The truth is, his contract is going to up and he wants his next payday.  In addition he feels he has done x , y , z to be given automatic mins over younger guys like KO, Sullinger.  When in reality, overall he has been outplayed by KO, Sullinger on both ends


CBS does not need Lee or anyone else to tell him how to run the team/rotation.   

[blink]

This thread insane. Lee is saying exactly what any player should say: he's not complaining; he's just telling his coach he wants to be a part of the rotation and is inquiring how to do it.

why does he have to inquire? How long has he been in the league?

The truth is, his contract is going to up and he wants his next payday.  In addition he feels he has done x , y , z to be given automatic mins over younger guys like KO, Sullinger.  When in reality, overall he has been outplayed by KO, Sullinger on both ends


CBS does not need Lee or anyone else to tell him how to run the team/rotation.

He is a veteran in the league, why shouldn't he be able to talk to his coach in a respectful way?  He wasn't slamming anyone, or laying out any ultimatums.  It is called communication. 

Any player has the right to talk to their coach.  As others have said, you are crazy if you don't think that Zellar, Sully, and KO haven't done the exact same thing.

This whole debate is a lot of hot air about absolutely nothing.  Lee talking to Stevens doesn't constitute telling him how to run the team.  I am sure Brad can handle this seriously minor issue.  The subtext of this whole thread seems to be that some posters hate Lee as a player for whatever reason and are looking for any chance to take pot shots at him.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

He came into camp out of shape, if it was that important to him he should have put in more effort back than.

He did? I must've missed that.

[pearljammer10]

He came into camp out of shape, if it was that important to him he should have put in more effort back than.

He did? I must've missed that.

Lee is much slimmer than he was last year when coming off his injuries. He definitely didn't come into camp out of shape.

[Smitty77]

I don't see this as complaining. Going to your coach to discuss how you can earn more playing time shows hunger (as opposed to being a wallflower) and professionalism (as opposed to talking behind the coach's back).

Plus, I think there are certain people who disliked the move for Lee from the beginning and are probably looking for any reason to prove they were right. He's had ups and downs this season, but produced way more than Wallace ever did.

I TOTALLY disagree about your last sentence!!  What Wallace taught our young guys by EXAMPLE about hustle plays EVERY single game he played in and LIKELY in EVERY single practice was invaluable!!!  GWall always gave 110% and that simply canNOT be said about many NBA players, especially a veteran who has played so many minutes and whose body is broken down due to his hustling style.  I miss you Mr. Wallace and I for one, am VERY GRATEFUL for the indelible lessons your provided for OUR youngsters!!!

Best wishes to you and your family, Gerald!!!!!

Smitty77

[guava_wrench]

This thread insane. Lee is saying exactly what any player should say: he's not complaining; he's just telling his coach he wants to be a part of the rotation and is inquiring how to do it.

why does he have to inquire? How long has he been in the league?

The truth is, his contract is going to up and he wants his next payday.  In addition he feels he has done x , y , z to be given automatic mins over younger guys like KO, Sullinger.  When in reality, overall he has been outplayed by KO, Sullinger on both ends


CBS does not need Lee or anyone else to tell him how to run the team/rotation.

Your job must rough if you can't discuss your career with your manager.

Lee didn't tell anyone how to run the team. He is trying to figure out what he needs to do to get more minutes. He may never succeed in that goal, but there is nothing wrong with trying.

On the other hand, I've never been a fan of Lee's game.