The Fan Voice: "Cut Courtney Some Slack"

By Live or Die Magic | August 28th, 2009

The big story today on the official message boards of the Orlando Magic was the revelation that former Magic player Courtney Lee made some seemingly inflammatory comments about the Magic in an interview with long-time Magic beat writer Tim Povtak. In an article written by Povtak for Fan House , Povtak quotes Lee as being upset about the trade from the Magic to the New Jersey Nets. Furthermore, he claims he intends to make the Magic regret the trade. For anyone wishing to see just what the deal is, you can read Povtak’s original article here. One thing I always think about in these situations is the context in which comments or quotes are given. It is easy enough for us as fans to picture Lee standing there lashing out at the Magic, but one thing I’ve learned from covering the Magic as the “Fan Voice” is that there can sometimes be a gulf between the question asked and the answer provided. But this is a Tim Povtak article we are talking about, so that situation doesn’t apply here. I am sure that Povtak’s questions were straightforward, as were Lee’s answers. So, I choose to take the comments at face value. That being the case, what I would like to address is the reaction that some Magic fans had to Lee’s comments once they were posted onto the Magic message boards (to read those comments, go here).

Frankly, I was very surprised to see so many Magic fans taking Lee to task for his comments. To think that Lee would react any other way is unfair to him. You must take into account the extreme competitive nature of any athlete. Then, you must consider that an NBA player, even a player who wears a suit to each game instead of a jersey, is an elite athlete who’s physical abilities define much of his daily routine. In Lee’s case, he is an extremely gifted player who was able to blossom in a high pressure situation. He was fortunate enough to get drafted by a team that made an extended playoff run. But even beyond that, Lee hit the jackpot (considering he is a millionaire, I mean this both figuratively and literally) by being picked by a team who’s one and only uncertain position was the position he played. So, he was able to get significant playing time for a championship contending team despite being a rookie. This is a rare thing indeed, to get your playing time early without having to suffer through all those losses on a bad team.

Lee also was the same age as the team’s franchise player, and quickly formed a bond with him. Regardless of the profession, people in their early 20s, when looking down that welcoming road that represents their bright future, do not see the pot holes, the stop lights, and the tolls that inevitably arise. So, it doesn’t surprise me that Lee and Howard discussed their future together. Why wouldn’t they; and why shouldn’t they?

Having a good friend in the locker room was hardly the only thing that made Lee feel welcomed here. The Magic themselves took him in and made him feel welcome. The community welcomed him. Complete strangers asked him to dine with them. He felt he had found a home. For us Magic fans, he represented a draft-day success after several years of failure. The media immediately liked him because of how polite, gracious, and accommodating he was to us. I have no problem admitting that I felt some selfish disappointment when he was traded because I really enjoyed interviewing him in the locker room.

So, Courtney Lee definitely had much to lose by being traded. Yes, the cynic in me finds it easy to say that he still gets his paycheck and he is still a millionaire. But at his age, so early in his career when he is not yet jaded, I know that the paycheck is the last thing on his mind when looking back on this trade. He goes from a Finals team with a top-5 player to a playoff bubble team looking to rebuild on the fly. He now has to leave his new home and hope that he can find another one he likes as much as the old one. He has to temper any excitement for any NBA relationship he forges from now on, knowing it could be gone suddenly. He has to understand that no matter how much a teammate, a coach, an owner, or even a general manager likes him, it doesn’t guarantee him clemency from the “business” of the NBA.

So, I do wish Courtney Lee well. I do hope that he enjoys success with New Jersey. I do hope that he strives to become an all-star, even though that might be difficult in the near future. I do hope that he can gain some career stability in New Jersey and bond with the other young players the Nets have, such as Devin Harris and Brook Lopez.

Even though he is upset, I hope that once he has gotten used to his new teammates and surroundings in New Jersey, that he chooses to remember how much he enjoyed his Magic experience – his teammates, the success, the fans, the community – and somehow, someway, makes that apparent to us even as he tries his hardest to beat us on the court.

This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.

I agree. This is simple. His goal, as an NBA player and competitor (which is his CAREER), is to be the best player he can be. If he becomes a GREAT player, of course it will hurt and the front office may end up regretting it.


Think about it in simple terms. You work for a company and are fired. That company brings in someone else. You are hired by a company rival.

Wouldn't you want to work your behind off to dominate sales, or what have you, to make your previous employer regret firing you?

And isn't it your JOB to do well? If you do well, you get paid more! You look better! Your name goes in the history books! etc, etc.


I don't understand the issue here. I would do the same thing if I was in C-Lee's shoes. I probably woulda said it earlier, because now it looks like he's just holding on to ill feelings as if he's a child. But no worries. Hopefully he can get over it and get back to basketball.

And yes, I DO expect him to do everything in his power to torch us from now till forever. And I don't blame him.

wow, very well written and can't agree more.
I loved CLee as much as the next fan and when I got the text on my phone announcing the trade it was so bitter sweet for me. the firt thing i saw was we got vince. I was ecstatic, than I scrolled down and seen we lost CLee, I was dissapointed but after a week or so I was good.

I wish him the best. he has a great young core of players and should be fine by the time december rolls around

Agree 100% LODM.
This also speak volumes about how good is the relationship in the Magic locker room. So I can easily understand that Lee is upset for not playing with a contender team, and at the same time, with a great bunch of guys that really enjoy stay and play together.

Very well written.

But I've still lost a bunch of respect for Lee. I honestly dont really like him that much anymore. He needs to just move on, he should be THANKFULL to even be in the NBA, where he makes millions.

Good luck Courtney.

But I wish even better luck to Vince, Bass, Barnes, Anderson, Jwill. They're new to the team now and I care more about them.

Honestly, I would be dissappointed in C Lee simply accepted the trade and moved on. He WANTED to be here and was the steepest part of the price we paid for Vince.

Its funny how many flip floppers are on this board. When Lee was on this team he was the future and was going to be a stud next to Dwight. Now that he is gone most think he was overrated and is a role player at best.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by VaBchMagicFan:
Its funny how many flip floppers are on this board. When Lee was on this team he was the future and was going to be a stud next to Dwight. Now that he is gone most think he was overrated and is a role player at best.[/QUOTET

The bottom line is that Lee is no longer on the Magic. VC is a much better player than Lee is rignt now. Otis Smith was looking a championship and unfortunately, Lee had to go.

I think CLee is a promising young player who fell into the exact right situation for him coming into the NBA. I would be very surprised if he wasn't disappointed. From a professional standpoint he did everything right - he worked hard to improve and fit his game into the Magic's team concept, he made friends with his teammates, and he contributed to the team getting into the finals. To do everything to one's best, and still get traded must feel like a bit of a slight, and be very heart-breaking. I think in time he will come to realize that not only is it not a slight, but it is indeed the greatest compliment that a young player could be given. A team with an 8-time all-star was willing to trade him, but only if you are included in the deal. Will CLee ever be an all-star, I don't know. Will he try to "make us regret" including him in the deal, I would expect nothing less. Thanks for everything CLee, and best of luck for the future!