David Lee

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Lore & Background

Lee's journey to Golden State began on July 9, 2010, when he was signed and traded from the Knicks. In the 2010–11 season, he appeared in all 73 of his starts, averaging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.01 steals in 36.1 minutes per contest. The following season saw Lee record his second triple-double on February 7, 2012, against the Oklahoma City Thunder with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. By January 24, 2013, he was named a reserve for the Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game, becoming the Warriors' first All-Star since Latrell Sprewell in 1997. That same season, Lee led the league with 56 double-doubles and earned an All-NBA Third Team selection. His time as a starter ended abruptly after he suffered a strained left hamstring in the final game of the 2014 preseason, which sidelined him for 24 of the first 25 games. Despite becoming a reserve at age 30, Lee remained vital, scoring a season-high 24 points on January 27, 2015, against the Chicago Bulls.

In Their Own Story

The 2013 playoffs marked a defining, albeit painful, chapter for Lee with the Warriors. During the first game of his team's playoff run, he injured his hip in the fourth quarter. An MRI revealed a complete tear of his right hip flexor. Doctors initially believed this would end his season, yet Lee defied expectations to return for Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets. He finished that critical contest with 10 points and 14 rebounds as the Warriors upset their opponents. Although Golden State was eventually defeated by the San Antonio Spurs in six games the following round, Lee's resilience was evident. Later, on March 25, 2016, while playing for the Dallas Mavericks, he returned to Oracle Arena for a pre-game ceremony where he received his 2015 championship ring and was greeted with a standing ovation from the Warriors' faithful.

Reader's Guide

Fans should note that David Lee's time with the Golden State Warriors spanned five seasons, concluding in 2015 when they won the NBA title. His most productive statistical years occurred between 2010 and 2013, where he was an All-Star reserve in 2013 and selected to the All-NBA Third Team that same year. Lee's playing style was defined by his ability to record double-doubles; he led the entire NBA with 56 in the 2012–13 season. A significant turning point in his tenure occurred in late 2014 when a hamstring injury forced him out of the starting lineup, allowing Draymond Green to take over. Lee adapted by coming off the bench, contributing key minutes and scoring bursts, such as his 24-point performance against Chicago on January 27, 2015. His departure from the Warriors came via trade to the Boston Celtics on July 27, 2015, in exchange for Gerald Wallace and Chris Babb, just one year after securing the championship.

Did You Know?

• Lee became the Warriors' first All-Star since Latrell Sprewell in 1997 when he was selected as a reserve for the 2013 game.
• During the 2012–13 season, Lee led the entire NBA with 56 double-doubles and was named to the All-NBA Third Team.
• After tearing his right hip flexor in the first game of the 2013 playoffs, Lee returned for Game 6 against the Nuggets to help secure a series victory.
• On January 24, 2013, Lee recorded a career-high 22 rebounds in a game against the Spurs.
• Lee won his only NBA championship with the Warriors in 2015, his fifth and final season with the team, before being traded to Boston.