David Lee likely to come off bench for Warriors when he returns

When David Lee returns from the left hamstring strain that's sidelined him for all but one game this season, he'll find himself in an unfamiliar role.

All indications are that Lee will be coming off the bench for the Golden State Warriors when healthy, having been usurped by Draymond Green as the preferred starting power forward. Lee has come off the bench 161 times in his career but has done so on just three occasions since 2008-09, when he established himself as a reliable scorer.

There still isn't a firm timetable for Lee's return - general manager Bob Myers suggested last week that Lee should be back sometime this week, though it won't be Tuesday - as the team wants to be cautious to make sure he's fully healed. Lee may have rushed back initially, appearing in the team's fourth game of the season, only to aggravate the issue further.

Myers wasn't completely forthcoming with Lee's role, but Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports reports that Lee will likely come off the bench, something Peter Vecsey is reporting as fact.

While Lee has been productive as a starter - he averaged 18.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season - bringing him off the bench makes plenty of sense. The Warriors are 21-2 and on a 16-game win streak, so there's a case to be made for just not rocking a very steady boat.

Green has also played terrific as the team's starter, providing strong defense and coming in to his own as an offensive piece. He's averaging 13.4 points, eight rebounds and three assists in 33.2 minutes, hitting on 36.4 percent of his 3-point attempts. What's more, the team's starting lineup has been the league's very best among units that have played 100 minutes together, outscoring opponents by a ridiculous 28 points per-100 possessions.

Bringing Lee off the bench will also provide the second unit with more offensive punch. Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston give the reserves a pair of ball-handlers, but neither is a high-volume scorer and Lee's ability to score and distribute from the elbows will be a welcome addition.

It may be an adjustment for Lee to find his stride off the bench, but when a team goes 21-2 in a player's stead, the onus falls on the player to adjust.