DENVER — As the Knicks contend with growing tension between the franchise and Enes Kanter, one of the veterans being pushed aside by the youth movement, another veteran sits quietly and contentedly waiting his turn.
Courtney Lee is in his 11th NBA season, his defensive prowess and versatile skill set suited for a role on a contending team. Instead, he finds himself sitting mostly on the bench for a team spiraling toward the NBA Draft lottery. But unlike Kanter, he is taking his role in stride.
“You’ve got to stay professional,” Lee said after the Knicks morning shootaround, preparing for Tuesday night’s game against the Nuggets.