"The Warriors have designs on being a better rebounding team this season. The offseason additions of power forward David Lee and sizable small forward Dorell Wright and the return of center Andris Biedrins from injury are supposed to equal a better showing on the boards. The first two games combined, the Warriors were plus-13 on the glass. But in Tuesday's 116-97 preseason loss to the Sacramento Kings, the Warriors showed they still have a ways to go in that area. The Warriors had a difficult time boxing out the Kings' active big men, who looked a step quicker and a tad hungrier. Rookie center DeMarcus Cousins had 20 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes. Forward Omri Casspi had nine rebounds off the bench. The Kings' 21 second-chance points helped them overcome the 21 turnovers that the Warriors forced. Lee did register 10 rebounds, to go with 17 points. But the next highest rebounders for the Warriors were forward Vladimir Radmanovic and point guard Stephen Curry with five each. Golden State was out-rebounded 46-33. Biedrins had three in 27 minutes, the same rebounding total that guard Aaron Miles had in 24 minutes off the bench. Wright had two rebounds in 34 minutes." Read more: http://www.insidebayarea.com/warriors/ci_16324310
Well, they won't show any of the preseason games on TV so we haven't actually been able to see him play, but I'm liking what I hear so far, at least, and the numbers are what I expected. He's a beast on the boards with a good nose for the ball, shoots a high percentage but with more scoring than Biedrins gives you, good passer, good court awareness, good hands, mediocre defense at best. He's not a superstar who is going to single-handedly take over a game, but that's fine because I don't expect him to be that. So yeah, I like him a lot so far. Lee is steady, predictable, consistent, and brings it every night, I love that and those are things the Warriors have been desperately lacking for years.
So far so good. Like HiRez said we can only go off of preseason box scores and gamecasts and the occasional radio feed. So far though it seems like his offense is hard to stop. May not have a traditional post game but hes a handfull on the pick and roll, has a great jumper, and hes an excellent finisher with both hands. Passes well. Rebounding is ad advertised. Defense seems as bad as advertised. Still boggles my mind that a guy who works as hard as he does and seems to be a student of the game can be so bad on defense. Can someone get this guy some film of Kurt Thomas to study? I've been wondering though, where do you guys rank David Lee among NBA PFs? Is he top 10? Obviously hes not elite level with Duncan, KG, Dirk, Bosh, etc. I'd say hes in the Carlos Boozer, Al Jeff, Lamarcus Aldridge, Luis Scola, David West range but I have no idea where to rank him among those guys. Also FYI next game against the Suns will be streamed on the Suns' website for free.
I think he's a cut below Duncan, KG, Dirk, Pau, and Bosh. I like him better than the list of other guys you mentioned. A LOT better.
It looks like he's doing his part. Curry is learning the pick and roll. He's turning the ball over quite a bit more than I'd hope, but if they can get on the same page 20-10 should be very doable. I really like what I've seen of Biedrins next to him.
According to what I have heard about the new offense, there is not going to be much of the pick and roll. Well at least it's not going to be like it was in the past couple of seasons where everything is pick and roll, first, second, and third options. The Warriors are going to try to utilize the ball handling and passing skills of Lee and Biedrins by using more of a motion offense. By looking at the stats, it looks like learning this new system is still a work in process, with some progress. But as was noted, the games have not been on tv and I have not attended a preseason game, so it's hard to assess Lee's play so far.
So would you say hes #6 (obviously those guys you mentioned are tier 1 and he would be a clear tier below)? I'm trying to think of other PFs I'm leaving off. What about compared to Amare?
I didn't try to make a precise list, just added Pau to the list you gave as "elite." Pau is probably the best right now, right? Amare is better, but not at center. Forgot about Dwight Howard, too.
David Lee should get all-star consideration. Amare's gone. The others were Pau, Duncan, Nowitzki and West in 2009. He should be better than West. As for Biedrins, I'd give him more of a chance. He is coming back from injury. I think he'll be back to dub-dub once he gets in game shape.
