p0nder
Starter
This is nonsense...Lee is a budding all-star and playing out of position. Will he ever be an elite defender? Probably not but he is an elite rebounder, plays with intensity, can finish with both hands and only now developed a consistent mid-range jumper that is taking his game to another level. He shoots a high percentage and is not turnover prone.There are like 5 dudes in the NBA at any given time that can put 20 and 10 up on average and Lee is one of them. He is doing this with the worst starting PG in the league and out of position. He leads the league in assists for centers so his passing is also way above average. Diminishing his entire game because he can't defend bigger, stronger centers is wrong. Further, no one is claiming we should give him a max deal or that we must sign him above all other players.
Lee's game has only one weakness...D. That weakness is magnified because he is a PF playing center.
Lee at 11 Mil > Bosh at 16 Mil
Lee > Amare...period
In bold are the only two things I disagree with. Lee has brought back the resurgence of the point forward and the passing big man. No one appreciates a big man with good vision and passing ability then Knicks fans.
However regardless of playing out of position, D.Lee has trouble guarding smaller "bigs" then him as well. It's not a size or out of postion thing (tho that doesn't help matters), its that the guy is just not a defensive pressence. He hussles but he doesn't jump to get blocks and his low post defense is weak (tho improving)
In the paint you need that presence. You defend against the bigs down low as well as the slashers and cutters and driving PG's. You NEED to have a defensive presence down low, one way or another, they cement the defense. Even with a potential Defensive player of the Year in Jeffereies playing along side him D.Lee allows too many easy baskets. It's just simply not enough to rely on 20 and 10 and think that because he's a great fantasy player that he's a great player on the court. 2 way players are necessary to winning, especially as starters and 30+ minute guys.
Bosh at 16 mil to Lee at 11 mill is a huge improvement. Bosh blocks shots, can guard the perimeter, can make steals, and alter game plans. Bosh is basically all the things defensively that D.Lee is not. Plus he's a better offensive player, getting to the rim and making other teams foul him. I would have to say that bosh is TWO TIMES the player D.Lee is for about 30% more then what we pay David.
This is not to take away from D.Lee's game. He is a great offensively minded PF. I'm just saying that there are better players out there and just because you get 20 and 10 on a regular basis does not mean you are a fantastic player and a cornerpiece of what we hope turns out to be an emerging dynasty. Bosh would be an amazing peice to the team and personally I would want Bosh and D.Lee to play together. This would give other teams nightmares in the post while providing enough of a defensive presence.
But if I have to pick between Dlee at 10 or 11 and bosh at 15-16 i'll take Bosh any day.