Consider David Lee among the most interested observers for Game 4 of the opening-round series between the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
The Golden State Warriors power forward sounds eager to get back on the court after missing the team's sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans, and he sees a clear path to playing time if the Grizzlies can close out their 3-0 series lead.
"It's a team that plays big and that we're going to need every big on the roster ready to go, myself included," Lee said.
Lee missed the first three games of the series due to a lingering back issue that occasionally cost him time in the regular season, too. Despite being cleared to play for Game 4, Lee earned the DNP-CD, as he didn't fit into the game plan against the Pelicans, and perhaps because the team preferred to rest him longer unless absolutely necessary.
His lack of playing time wasn't entirely unexpected, as Lee's role has decreased a great deal this season. Usurped in the starting lineup by Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Draymond Green, Lee's minutes have fallen from 33.2 a year ago to 18.4, and his scoring has dropped from 18.2 points per game to 7.9.
A former All-Star on a sizable contract, Lee is playing the good soldier and saying all the right things.
"Although I haven't gotten the minutes sometimes that I've wanted, coach Kerr and the rest of the staff has been really cool about being upfront and honest about it and saying that it's circumstance," Lee said. "As a pro, it's my job to stay ready. This isn't about me. It's about our team as a whole, so it's not a big deal at all."
But Lee is correct that a team needs all its bigs at the ready against Memphis, which employs Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol in the starting lineup. It was the Grizzlies who snapped Golden State's 16-game winning streak this season thanks to their frontcourt pairing combining for 41 points and 17 rebounds in a game that Lee missed due to injury.
The Warriors could have a more clear idea of what they're game-planning for and just how much Lee will be used after Monday, when the Grizzlies can punch their ticket to the Western Conference semifinals.
