Is the team better without Lee?

[Mylie10]

You wanna tiny smallball lineup, then go:

Curry/ Klay/ Rush/ Barnes/ Green

That lineup would be flying all over the floor and the spacing would be ridiculous. They would have to gang rebound and find a way to protect the rim, but man would that be some fun.

[HiRez]

Everyone talks about Lee's scoring, PNR competency, rebounding, and defense, but one point I think is underrated is Lee's skills as a screener. That's because he's simply awful at it. Every one of his screens are soft, half-hearted, and fleeting. Compare those to Bogut's screens, which are brutal, it's like running into a truck. Even the rookies Green and Ezeli set far better screens than Lee, and if you haven't noticed, those screens are playing a huge role in getting Curry and Thompson open looks in the playoffs, which is the whole foundation of our offense.

[GSForever]

Lees picks are selfish bc its primarily for himself to roll to the hoop. Not to get Curry an open look. Or punish the opponent. Good read my friend

[floppymoose]

In Lee's defense, when he is PNR'ing with Curry, he doesn't really need to set a real screen at all. Most teams send both defenders after Curry no matter what in that situation, leaving Lee open for the pick and pop. In that situation, there is no real value in setting a real screen. You might as well break early to the open space and get ready to catch and shoot.

[TaylorMonkey]

In Lee's defense, when he is PNR'ing with Curry, he doesn't really need to set a real screen at all. Most teams send both defenders after Curry no matter what in that situation, leaving Lee open for the pick and pop. In that situation, there is no real value in setting a real screen. You might as well break early to the open space and get ready to catch and shoot.

It's really not a bad play, given Curry's tendency during the season to drive even with space.

The Lee haters ignore that part of the article.

With new Curry just jacking up 3's with any space, it behooves Lee to set a solid pick.

[GSForever]

Which I think will effect Lee. Nobody is afraid of a David Lee screen

[Bball0000]

How convenient to knock D Lee while he's injured. Where was everyone singing this tune when he became the first GSW all star since 97 and leading his team to a 6th seed ????? Find me another 20 & 10 all star for $13 mil ? Who ? Exactly. No backup plan, just throwing players under the bus after they got you to the playoffs...

[HiRez]

How convenient to knock D Lee while he's injured. Where was everyone singing this tune when he became the first GSW all star since 97 and leading his team to a 6th seed ????? Find me another 20 & 10 all star for $13 mil ? Who ? Exactly. No backup plan, just throwing players under the bus after they got you to the playoffs...

Plenty of people were still (rightfully, IMO) criticizing Lee when he was named an All Star. That doesn't mean you can't be happy for the guy to get the honor, but at the same time realize he may not be the best fit for the team, they aren't mutually exclusive. The study from the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference that numerically showed Lee as the NBA's worst interior defender came out about the same time as the ASG.

Being an All Star is an honor, but it's just a label and doesn't always correlate exactly to a player's actual on-court skill or value to their team (witness Curry being omitted, or hundreds of other puzzling All Star selections or omissions from the past). Lee certainly has skills, and he has helped GSW get to where they are, but that doesn't mean he's necessarily the best piece at his position going forward. Monta put up big numbers too (and was always aon the cusp of an All Star selection) but the Warriors are very clearly better without him, Bogut or no Bogut. The same may be true of Lee. I'm not necessarily saying it is, but don't let the All Star label blind you to the possibility. In the playoffs it does appear to be true in the 8 games so far.

[Furrywan]

I feel that if we make the Conference Finals, that the FO should be calling every other FO to gauge interest and start talks during the summer. Doesn't mean we would HAVE to deal him, but it would be crazy not to explore possibilities

[BScoreez]

I believe the reason the Warriors are playing well now without Lee is not necessarily because Lee, but because the ball has been in Curry's hands way more. I have always thought Curry reminded me of scoring Steve Nash and that the Warriors should run that type of offense. They now are running an offense similar to that. The article posted on this board shows a lot of this. Curry's iso plays are almost double in the post season. His pick n roll plays have also gone way up from 18 to 30. The offense should always be Curry centric and not David Lee going forward. A healthy looking Bogut has also played a large part in it too.

I think this can actually work out just fine with David Lee. You have Bogut set the screen up top. Klay spotting up on opposite wing and Barnes in the opposite corner. Lee down low who roams based on where Curry and Bogut go. If Curry goes towards the top of the key off the pick have Lee rotate toward ball side corner area Leaving space for Curry and a rolling Bogut. If Curry goes toward the sideline then have Bogut roll while Lee rotates to the high post just above the free throw line.

Basically to sum it up I don't think this team is better without David Lee. The Warriors have stumbled into some favorable matchups with the opposing teams not able to punish the Warriors for going small. But more importantly it is the increased workload of Curry which should have been happening whether Lee was hurt or healthy. A healthy Bogut also has improved this defense quite a bit.

[ChuckDurn]

I feel that if we make the Conference Finals, that the FO should be calling every other FO to gauge interest and start talks during the summer. Doesn't mean we would HAVE to deal him, but it would be crazy not to explore possibilities

Caveat: I've been a proponent of trading Lee for a long, long time. From day 1 of him signing the contract, I thought it was too big and long for what he brings, and that his (conventional) stats are over-rated.

But the interesting irony in things is this - if every other GM watches the playoffs and realizes we're better without Lee, doesn't that inherently hurt his trade value?

I'm conflicted about this whole thing.

[and1GS]

Caveat: I thought it was too big and long...

I'm conflicted about this whole thing.

We've all been here, right guys?

[FNQ]

I feel that if we make the Conference Finals, that the FO should be calling every other FO to gauge interest and start talks during the summer. Doesn't mean we would HAVE to deal him, but it would be crazy not to explore possibilities

Caveat: I've been a proponent of trading Lee for a long, long time. From day 1 of him signing the contract, I thought it was too big and long for what he brings, and that his (conventional) stats are over-rated.

But the interesting irony in things is this - if every other GM watches the playoffs and realizes we're better without Lee, doesn't that inherently hurt his trade value?

I'm conflicted about this whole thing.

I think we should expect something in the Rudy Gay value neighborhood, probably a little less

[Jester_]

I would cream myself if we can dump Lee for the equivalent of Ed Davis.

[BW32]

I feel that if we make the Conference Finals, that the FO should be calling every other FO to gauge interest and start talks during the summer. Doesn't mean we would HAVE to deal him, but it would be crazy not to explore possibilities

Caveat: I've been a proponent of trading Lee for a long, long time. From day 1 of him signing the contract, I thought it was too big and long for what he brings, and that his (conventional) stats are over-rated.

But the interesting irony in things is this - if every other GM watches the playoffs and realizes we're better without Lee, doesn't that inherently hurt his trade value?

I'm conflicted about this whole thing.

At worst Hump and Marswag are available for the first team that says yes.