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New York Knicks: 30 Greatest Players of All-Time

By Nick Ziegler

Mar 27, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Vocal group the Four Tops with former NBA player Earl Monroe (purple tie) and New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and Walt Frazier and former NBA player Dick Barnett (right) acknowledge Walt Frazier for his 70th birthday during the game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Vocal group the Four Tops with former NBA player Earl Monroe (purple tie) and New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and Walt Frazier and former NBA player Dick Barnett (right) acknowledge Walt Frazier for his 70th birthday during the game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks: 30 Greatest Players of All-Time
Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward David Lee (42) celebrates during the first half against the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

29.) PF/C David Lee

In the 2005 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks got a steal with the 30th pick, as they selected David Lee from Florida. After a quiet rookie season in 2005, Lee emerged as the double-double machine that Knicks fans grew to love in the 2006-07 season as he averaged 10.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

It took until his fourth season to become a regular starter in New York, but when given the opportunity, Lee made the most of it in the 2008-09 season. In the 2008-09 season, Lee averaged 16.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Many believed that Lee deserved to be an All-Star that season, but that honor would have to wait until the 2009-10 season.

In what would be his final season with the Knicks, Lee averaged career-highs with 20.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. The great season by Lee would earn him an All-Star Game selection, which broke a lengthy streak of seasons without a Knick in the All-Star Game.

Lee was traded by the Knicks to the Golden State Warriors in a sign-and-trade deal, which allowed the Knicks to create more cap space in the hopes of signing LeBron James.

The Knicks were a very poor team when Lee was there, but he was a bright spot during a dark period for the Knicks.

Next: Big signing from 2010

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