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Former New York Knicks All-Star forward David Lee retires

By Ed Easton Jr.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 18: David Lee #42 of the New York Knicks points across the court during the game against the New Jersey Nets on October 18, 2007 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Nets won 110-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 18: David Lee #42 of the New York Knicks points across the court during the game against the New Jersey Nets on October 18, 2007 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Nets won 110-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Former New York Knicks all-star power forward David Lee announced his retirement after 12 seasons in the NBA, leaving plenty of memories behind.

Before he took the court as a member of last season’s San Antonio Spurs or hoisted a NBA championship with the 2015 Golden State Warriors, David Lee was a top young player for the New York Knicks.

The former 30th overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft, Lee was not expected to be an immediate impact player for a struggling, rebuilding Knicks franchise. While fellow draft pick Nate Robinson grabbed the early headlines for the team because of his rare athletic ability in dunk contests, Lee eventually became the team’s prominent player.

The southpaw out of Florida put up big numbers for a struggling Knicks franchise in the mid-2000s, leading the squad in rebounds and points on many nights. During the 2008-09 season, Lee became only the 11th player in team history to garner 10 consecutive double-doubles.

Lee’s monster 2009-10 season led to his selection as a replacement for Allen Iverson in that year’s All-Star game. In a late regular season game of that year, Lee put together a 37-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist game, marking the first time that’s happened since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1976.

Lee was successful during the beginning stretch of his tenure with the Warriors, earning another All-Star selection after being dealt by the Knicks, who were at the time in hot pursuit of free agent Amar’e Stoudemire.

As injuries began to plague Lee entering the 2014-15 season, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr made the decision to bench him in favor of upstart forward Draymond Green. The Warriors would eventually become NBA champions as Lee played a smaller role off the bench, telling reporters his acceptance of the demotion.

"“First of all, I still have a job, and that’s to be cheering on my teammates, When we get a win, to me it’s a successful day. You realize that there have been plenty of times I’ve been the one out there playing 40 minutes and there have been guys that haven’t gotten in. It’s definitely a challenging new role, and tough to find a rhythm sometimes, But I wouldn’t trade it for anything with how our team’s doing. I just see this as an opportunity to prove that I’m a team guy, prove how much I care about winning.”"

It was rumored back in early 2016 after his buyout from the Boston Celtics, Lee was interested in returning to the Knicks. The New York Daily News reported the story after Lee’s Dallas Mavericks squad defeated the Knicks in Texas.

"“I think I’ll have some good choices. And I look forward to playing three or four more years, I feel like right now my body feels as healthy as ever. And I think going down in weight has made me feel a lot better and a lot more active. I feel as active as I was early in my career.”"

Lee’s fiance, tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, let the world know about the special retirement party and even broke down a few career stats.

Lee averaged 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds over his career playing five seasons for the Knicks, five for the Warriors and one each for the Celtics and Mavericks. His last NBA season with the Spurs in 79 games, Lee averaged 7.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Next: The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated, 2016-17)

It’s pretty obvious his five years in New York will not warrant a place in the rafters as a retired jersey, but it does remind fans of a scrappy young Knicks team trying to find its way. Lee’s surprising emergence in New York can be used as an example for young players Frank Ntilikina and Damyean Dotson still trying to excel in their rookie seasons.

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