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Greatest All-Time Memphis Grizzlies: Courtney Lee

By Brendan Smart

MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 3: Courtney Lee #5 and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies high five against the San Antonio Spurs on December 3, 2015 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 3: Courtney Lee #5 and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies high five against the San Antonio Spurs on December 3, 2015 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Courtney Lee’s time in Memphis was short lived, but what he did for the Memphis Grizzlies on and off the court brings Lee in at 24 on our all-time list.

Lee was my first interaction between media and player as an intern for Fox Sports Southeast. I followed Memphis Grizzlies sideline reporter Rob Fischer down into the tunnel with several other media outlets. The plan was to go get an interview with Mike Conley because of his ankle injury that night. Instead I offered to hold the microphone for a local news station.

The first player the station interviewed was Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee. Lee shook my hand, and that was the first Grizzly I met in this profession. Lee was one of the nicest guys I had met, and he carried that trait with him throughout his time in Memphis.

You could argue that Lee was one of the best two guards that the Memphis Grizzlies had seen since Tony Allen and Mike Miller. Courtney Lee played a huge role in the two and a half seasons that he played in Memphis.

CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 26: Courtney Lee #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 26, 2015 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina.
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 26: Courtney Lee #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 26, 2015 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. /

In Courtney Lee’s two and a half seasons as a Memphis Grizzly, he played a pivotal role on both ends of the floor. Averaging 10.5 points per game in his two seasons, he was a reliant source on the defensive end. Lee fit right in with the core four of Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Tony Allen, and Zach Randolph.

Lee was traded about 30 minutes before the trade deadline during the 2015-16 season for assets because Memphis was looking for draft picks. Lee was the only player with any quality that Memphis could part from that season that could bring good quality. That year, Memphis went through 28 different players, and still made the playoffs.

MEMPHIS,TN – DECEMBER 8: Tony Allen #9 of the Memphis Grizzlies high fives teammate Courtney Lee #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game on December 8, 2015 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.
MEMPHIS,TN – DECEMBER 8: Tony Allen #9 of the Memphis Grizzlies high fives teammate Courtney Lee #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game on December 8, 2015 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. /

Lee played a huge role on a team that was possibly one of the best in franchise history, during one of the franchises best runs. He provided consistency in the backcourt. The current Grizz roster is trying to get back to that level.

Courtney Lee Memphis Grizzlies Highlights:

“The Lob For Lee!”

Memphis had one their biggest comebacks in franchise history coming back from 26 points down to win the game on a Vince Carter lob to Courtney Lee!

“Steal by Tony Allen, Lee for three!”

Lee had one of sweetest jump shots that i have seen, and he shows it off to beat the first half buzzer against the Houston Rockets!

Lee showed that he was all-in on the Grizzlies and the city of Memphis, and Memphis was all-in on Lee.

MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 17: Courtney Lee #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies participates in a day of service event on October 17, 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee.
MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 17: Courtney Lee #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies participates in a day of service event on October 17, 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee. /

Lee produced some great memories in the city of Memphis in his two and a half seasons, and for now ranks number 24 on Beale Street Bears‘ all-time list of top Grizzlies in franchise history.

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