New York Knicks shooting guard Courtney Lee is enjoying a career season under Jeff Hornacek's new system, posting career highs across the board in points (12.6), rebounds (3.8), assists (3.0), and steals per game (1.4). If that wasn't enough, Lee has managed a crisp .480/.467/.921 shooting line through 21 games this season, one which he attributes to the simplest of reasons.
“You want me to say it point-blank and clear?’’ Lee said when asked Wednesday about his metamorphosis, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. “We’re not running the triangle. We’re running a different offense that’s more fast-paced. And it’s more suitable for my style of play.”
Hornacek is free of the chains set in place by former president Phil Jackson and with it comes the liberty of running a free-flowing, up-tempo offense that best suits the skills of his young players.
But Lee warned this wasn't a shot at Jackson, but rather a change which has made him more capable to put his best skills to use.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t a fan of the triangle,’’ Lee said. “The triangle is just — my game suits the triangle, but it just slows it down a bit. You make passes to get to the pinch post (foul-line extended) and play off that. But now the offense is just get up and down — the first open look, you take it and try to make the right play.”
Lee's defense has also kept up with his offensive game, which has helped his transition opportunities, leading to an 11-10 start to the season for the new-look Knicks.
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