Lee Set to Face Former Magic Mates
By John Denton
October 30, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – The NBA Finals hadn’t been completed but just a few days last spring when Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard and promising guard Courtney Lee were already planning for the future.
Both talked about how things would be different during the 2009-10 season and how different things would be the next time they reached the NBA Finals together. They had, the two close friends assumed, several years together to chase the championship that eluded them in June against the Los Angeles Lakers.
But that all changed in late June when Lee was traded to the New Jersey Nets along with veterans Rafer Alston and Tony Battie for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson. Lee, who assumed he had a bright future in Orlando after becoming a full-time starter last season with the Magic, was understandably stunned by the offseason deal.
``It probably took a month, month-and-a-half, really, to get it all out of my system and then focus on this (Nets) team and getting better,’’ Lee admitted. ``It took a while to get back out here playing basketball and getting the trade behind me.’’
Battie isn’t expected to dress for tonight’s game because of an arthritic knee condition. Alston, acquired by the Magic in midseason last February, helped rescue a Magic team that was without Jameer Nelson because of a shoulder injury. His flashy style of play helped the Magic get through the playoffs, and he said he’ll always savor his memories from Orlando.
``It’s going to be interesting to play against those guys after the run that we had and how much fun it was,’’ Alston said. ``The guys there were so much fun. That’s something that I really treasure – the friendships that were made and how good the guys were to one another.’’
Lee was one of the steals of the draft last season, going from the No. 22 pick to a key contributor on a team that got The NBA Finals. Lee played in 77 games and started 42 while averaging 8.4 points and 2.3 rebounds. He quickly became a fan favorite in Orlando because of his gritty, hard-nosed style of play and toughness while guarding some of the game’s best shooting guards.
Lee said he was looking forward to seeing some of his former Magic teammates, something he was planning to do Thursday night before Friday’s game. He compared facing close friends on the court to what he went through during his AAU days as a prep star in Indianapolis.
Lee said he’ll enjoy seeing his former Magic mates, but it will be all business once he steps on the court.
``I’ll be buddy-buddy with them before and after the game, but during the game I’ll just be approaching it like it’s another game,’’ said Lee, who struggled mightily (two of 11 shooting, five points) in New Jersey’s opening loss in Minnesota. ``Being out there with those familiar (Magic) faces, it’s just going to feel like it’s practice from last year. But it’s a game, so I’m approaching it like one.’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonOctober 30, 2009
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – The NBA Finals hadn’t been completed but just a few days last spring when Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard and promising guard Courtney Lee were already planning for the future.
Both talked about how things would be different during the 2009-10 season and how different things would be the next time they reached the NBA Finals together. They had, the two close friends assumed, several years together to chase the championship that eluded them in June against the Los Angeles Lakers.
But that all changed in late June when Lee was traded to the New Jersey Nets along with veterans Rafer Alston and Tony Battie for Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson. Lee, who assumed he had a bright future in Orlando after becoming a full-time starter last season with the Magic, was understandably stunned by the offseason deal.
``It probably took a month, month-and-a-half, really, to get it all out of my system and then focus on this (Nets) team and getting better,’’ Lee admitted. ``It took a while to get back out here playing basketball and getting the trade behind me.’’
Battie isn’t expected to dress for tonight’s game because of an arthritic knee condition. Alston, acquired by the Magic in midseason last February, helped rescue a Magic team that was without Jameer Nelson because of a shoulder injury. His flashy style of play helped the Magic get through the playoffs, and he said he’ll always savor his memories from Orlando.
``It’s going to be interesting to play against those guys after the run that we had and how much fun it was,’’ Alston said. ``The guys there were so much fun. That’s something that I really treasure – the friendships that were made and how good the guys were to one another.’’
Lee was one of the steals of the draft last season, going from the No. 22 pick to a key contributor on a team that got The NBA Finals. Lee played in 77 games and started 42 while averaging 8.4 points and 2.3 rebounds. He quickly became a fan favorite in Orlando because of his gritty, hard-nosed style of play and toughness while guarding some of the game’s best shooting guards.
Lee said he was looking forward to seeing some of his former Magic teammates, something he was planning to do Thursday night before Friday’s game. He compared facing close friends on the court to what he went through during his AAU days as a prep star in Indianapolis.
Lee said he’ll enjoy seeing his former Magic mates, but it will be all business once he steps on the court.
``I’ll be buddy-buddy with them before and after the game, but during the game I’ll just be approaching it like it’s another game,’’ said Lee, who struggled mightily (two of 11 shooting, five points) in New Jersey’s opening loss in Minnesota. ``Being out there with those familiar (Magic) faces, it’s just going to feel like it’s practice from last year. But it’s a game, so I’m approaching it like one.’’
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
