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New York Knicks Need More From Courtney Lee

By Quentin Haynes

Sep 26, 2016; White Plains, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee addresses the media during the New York Knicks Media Day at Ritz-Carlton. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; White Plains, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee addresses the media during the New York Knicks Media Day at Ritz-Carlton. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Knicks had several problems against Cleveland, one of which was not getting enough from their starting shooting guard.

There were several problems in Tuesday’s season opener for the New York Knicks. Going against the Cleveland Cavaliers – on ring night, no less – the Knicks fell behind early, came back, then LeBron James took it up a level, finishing off New York with a third quarter run.

Even though it was the first game of the season, some of New York’s offensive possessions were a cause for concern.

Chemistry is one of the things that will come in time. Derrick Rose, fresh off a civil case on the other side of the country for most of the offseason, came back and added very little: 17 points on 17 shots, four turnovers, and a plus/minus of -19.

Some things will change there, some things won’t. The Knicks should run a ton of pick-and-roll with Rose, something he wants to do “all of the time.”

The second is the goose egg they received from Courtney Lee. In his first game as a member of the Knicks, Lee finished with zero points, two turnovers, three rebounds and missed all five of his shots in 19 minutes. Lee’s performance didn’t help matters as J.R. Smith and Richard Jefferson combined for 21 points and four threes on the other side.

Rose’s request for more pick-and-roll play makes sense for a few reasons. The first is his ability to slash and get to the basket. The second is using Lee and Kristaps Porzingis as passing options.

Look at Justin Holiday‘s performance. Holiday finished with eight points on 2-of-7 shooting. However, those two shots were catch-and-shoot threes on the weak side. Lee could be that and more.

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Part of Lee’s success will have to come on the hand of his teammates. Last season, Lee made 3.3 catch-and-shoot shots per game and was assisted on 71 percent of his field goal attempts. He’s perfect for a team with two viable offensive players like Anthony and Rose around him.

At various times throughout the game, though, New York’s offense felt stuck between Anthony and Rose, as the two traded shots on several possessions. The team as a whole finished with 30 midrange shots. 

Going back to Lee, the New York Knicks will need him to step up in their next game, not only to justify his contract and his value as a starter, but because of the team’s feast or famine bench. Lee’s performance placed more pressure on the Knicks’ bench, which has a good backup point guard, but players who are, at best, ancillary options in offensive sets.

There’s no reason to adjust your expectations based on one game. If you weren’t high on the New York Knicks before, there’s no reason to envision 50 wins, and if you were high on them before, there’s no reason to jump off the ship just yet.

However, there are some things heading into the second game that will be interesting to see. How Hornacek continues to use the bench, specifically backup center usage, will be intriguing. How this team will continue to jell with Rose’s return, and if Hornacek incorporates more pick-and-roll into the offense now that Rose came out in favor of it, will be worth watching too.

Next: 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Week 1

Courtney Lee will be fine. The Knicks will be fine, but maybe, Rose’s desire for more simple basketball could create a better offensive flow and could help Lee and Kristaps Porzingis contribute more heading into their second game of the 2016-17 season.

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