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**USSKittyHawk** · 07-12-2006, 01:35 PM

Here is another article by ESPN this time, giving props to David Lee.

Quote:

The hair has grown out, so has some stubble on the chin, and the arms and shoulders are filling out the jersey nicely.

David Lee certainly looks a year older, but his game has matured, too. The Knicks' forward played well in the Vegas Summer League last year, which hinted at what turned into a solid rookie season in New York, the erratic playing time aside. If his performance this July is a precursor, he's poised to cement himself in Isiah Thomas' rotation come the fall.

Second-year vets generally fare well this time of year -- their comfort level and confidence from a year in the fire, matched with unfettered playing time, usually leads to some big numbers. And Lee's look pretty good -- he's been bullying the generally inferior competition for the last week, averaging 16 points and 10.8 rebounds in four games. He had 10 points and nine rebounds in the Knicks' 91-68 win over the Pistons on Tuesday night.

It's the way he's been doing it that has been impressing viewers at UNLV's Cox Pavilion. Lee has been rugged around the basket on both ends, working for every rebound and running the floor with Nate Robinson like an undrafted free agent trying to scratch out a roster spot.

"He plays like a warrior, it doesn't matter what the game means," one Eastern Conference coach said. "He's one of those guys who always challenges himself and wants to win." Look no further than this stat: He's picked up eight steals in the four games because he's constantly trying to stick his hand in passing lanes and hustling on defense. Whether this translates night in and night out when the games actually count is yet to be seen, but there's no questioning Lee's passion.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/s...t&lid=tab3pos1