The Orlando Magic’s top picks outside the top five
By S.W. Guest
4 – Courtney Lee
Drafted 22nd overall in 2008, Courtney Lee found himself at the forefront of the Magic’s 2009 Finals run.
Known for his defensive abilities, the rookie slotted straight in to Stan Van Gundy’s team alongside the likes of Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis. In total, he made 77 regular season appearances that year, 42 as a starter, averaging 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steal in 25.2 minutes per game.
He successfully maintained his game during the postseason too, making 21 appearances, 16 as a starter, while averaging similar numbers. The mask he had to wear as a result of getting clobbered by Dwight Howard in the first round may have affected his 3-point shooting percentage, as Lee shot just 27 percent from deep in the postseason compared to 40 percent during the regular season.
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The mask may have also played a part when Lee went up to finish a potential game-winning lay-up off a Hedo Turkolgu inbound pass with 0.6 seconds left on the clock in Game Two of the NBA Finals. Had Lee finished the play the series could have taken on an entirely different complexion, as it would have been tied at 1-1 with the next three games to be played at the Amway Arena.
Unfortunately it turned out to be the defining moment of Lee’s career as, after the Magic lost that series, he was sent to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson.
Since then, he has served largely as a role player in Houston, Boston, Memphis and, most recently, Charlotte, establishing himself as one of the more reliable 3-and-D players in the NBA.
Next: The tough guy