Prior to the conclusion of the 2009-10 NBA season, New York Knicks starting center David Lee was playing on borrowed time, despite becoming the first Knickerbocker selected to participate in an All-Star Game since Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell in 2001.
So when Knicks President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh completed his mission of clearing enough salary cap space to sign two elite free agents this summer, it virtually guaranteed that Lee would not be returning to New York next season.
The final nail in the coffin for Lee, who led the Knicks in scoring and rebounding, was Amar’e Stoudemire agreeing to sign a five-year, $100 million contract with the Knicks; leaving New York unable to resign the St. Louis native if their plans to attract another premiere free agent come to fruition.
Therefore, with the writing clearly on the wall, it would be as an appropriate time as any to analyze what the Knicks would be losing in David Lee versus what New York will be gaining in Amar’e Stoudemire.
Amar’e Stoudemire
Age: 27
Height: 6’10”
Weight: 249
2009-10 regular season statistics
Points per game: 23.1
Rebounds per game: 8.9
Offensive rebounds per game: 2.8
Defensive rebounds per game: 6.1
Assists per game: 1.0
Blocks per game: 1.0
Steals per game: 0.63
Turnovers per game: 2.6
Field goal percentage: 55.7%
Free throw percentage: 77.1%
David Lee
Age: 27
Height: 6’9”
Weight: 250
2009-10 regular season statistics
Points per game: 20.2
Rebounds per game: 11.7
Offensive rebounds per game: 2.8
Defensive rebounds per game: 8.9
Assists per game: 3.6
Blocks per game: 0.49
Steals per game: 1.1
Turnovers per game: 2.3
Field goal percentage: 54.5%
Free throw percentage: 81.2%
On December 1, 2009; the Knicks ran the Phoenix Suns out of Madison Square Garden in a 126-99 victory in which Lee outplayed his future replacement by scoring 24 points and snaring 8 rebounds while Stoudemire chipped in with a pedestrian 14 points and 5 rebounds on behalf of the Suns.
Later in the season, the Phoenix faired much better against the Knicks, winning a 132-96 laugher in the ‘Land of the Sun’. However, once again, Lee was every bit Stoudemire’s equal on the court, finishing with 21 points and 13 rebounds. For his part, Stoudemire had 18 points and 9 rebounds in the game.
Another interesting tidbit is that David Lee put up his numbers with journeymen like Chris Duhon, Sergio Rodriguez and Toney Douglas as his point men while Steve Nash, a perennial All-Star and future Hall of Famer, contributed much more significantly to Stoudemire’s success in Phoenix, not only this past season but in his previous seven campaigns.
Now the presentation of this analysis is, by no means, to postulate that David Lee is a better player than Amar’e Stoudemire. However, statistically speaking, there is no denying that Lee is every bit Stoudemire’s equal.
What should be of concern to Knicks fans though is that Stoudemire isn’t the rebounder David Lee was and he will be heavily counted to carry the load in that department for an extremely undersized front court.
Can Stoudemire, who averaged only 6.6 rebounds per game in the playoffs, effectively carry this burden on his broad shoulders?
The Knicks better hope so because, as discussed in this article, defense and rebounding win championships.
Click here to ready why Amar'e Stoudemire coming to New York may mean curtains for Tracy McGrady on Broadway.
Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and a special 'Welcome to New York, Amar'e' video.
Is Amar'e Stoudemire An Upgrade over David Lee?
