San Antonio Spurs David Lee a key player off the bench

David Lee may not have been a favorite to fans when he signed with San Antonio in the offseason. But, so far this season, he has proven to be a key player for the Silver and Black.

David Lee is not the first person to come off of the bench for the Spurs. But, when he does have his name called and he enters the game, you better believe you are going to get everything he has to offer in the game.

Lee has appeared in all of the Spurs 17 games this season, and has helped them to a 14-3 start. Over those appearance, he has started one game and notched one double-double. He is averaging 6.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game. He is also shooting just under 60-percent from the field.

In his career (767 games) he is averaging 14 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. His fame came during his five seasons with the Golden State Warriors.

There he averaged 16.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He also shot 51-percent from the field.

What he brought to the Warriors is what he is bringing in his first season with the Silver and Black. Though he is not a focal point of the offense, or even a starter, his play off the bench as proven to be key to the Spurs success thus far.

Lee has been contributing as much as any off the bench. His best game of the season came against the Boston Celtics in a noon game, in Boston.

During that game, Lee played 17 minutes and notched his first double-double of the season, finishing with 15 points and 12 rebounds. He continued his fiery shooting from the floor as he went 6 for 9 from the field (66.7 percent).

Getting a double-digit scoring output from Lee is always a plus for San Antonio. Even when he is not scoring, Lee still puts an imprint on the game.

Case in point. After coming off of his 15 point performance against the Celtics, he finished with just four points on 2 of 9 shooting against the Washington Wizards. During his 20-minutes of play, he also grabbed seven rebounds and was credited for two blocks. He was +15 when in the game.

He gave the Spurs the boost they needed. With Patty Mills and Manu Ginobili being the first two off the bench for San Antonio, Lee adds that other dimension for the Spurs.

His continued play is as consistent as anyone else on the Spurs. Entering games, he knows what his roll is and does not force up shots. He lets the game come to him and that is the way he has been his whole career.

Lee also brings the Spurs what they don’t get with Pau Gasol in the game, defense. Compared to Gasol, Lee is the more physical player and does not wait for contact, he is the one initiating it. He is a bruiser. There to make his presence felt and known.

The Spurs have always been a team that looks for a boost from their bench. This year is no different.

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When you have the likes of Mills, Ginobili, Jonathon Simmons, Kyle Anderson, Davis Bertans, just to name a few coming off the bench and adding the skills of David Lee, this team can be dangerous.

Lee has settled into his roll with San Antonio and he is now making those doubters into believers.