Courtney Lee blames Wizards coach for interference on crucial play
Courtney Lee looked mighty foolish for passing up an open three with the game on the line.
With the New York Knicks trailing by three, the ball swung over to Lee, a strong 3-point shooter, but he curiously passed up the look. That turned out to be New York's only chance to tie as Brandon Jennings had his attempt blocked by John Wall.
As it turns out, Lee didn't just decline the shot without reason; he blames a clever coach from the Washington Wizards for interfering with the play.
"I was watching Carmelo (Anthony), thinking he was going to shoot the ball but he drives and then the ball comes to me," Lee recounted to reporters, including SB Nation's Kristian Winfield. "I see (Kelly) Oubre in front of me, but right here (to my right), I'm hearing 'I got your help, I'm right here, I'm right here.'"
"I then came to find out it was their coach standing next to me saying that. So I'm thinking that he's a player so I drive and tried to make a play.
"I don't know if the league should look into that, or not, but that was a tactic and a defensive scheme and it worked."
Replays support Lee's claim. Wizards assistant coach Sidney Lowe was on the court beside Lee right as he caught the pass from Anthony.
Here's the play Courtney Lee is referencing. Can clearly see the coach almost on the three point line yelling in his ear pic.twitter.com/K69ELycCWY
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) January 20, 2017
New York fell to Washington by a score of 113-110.