WALTHAMKnow your role.
For all the Ubuntu chatter, for all that goes into dictating how well or woeful the Celtics play, this concept - knowing your role - is at the heart of what being a Boston Celtic is about.
For newcomer Courtney Lee, part of knowing his role is to embrace the reality that while the quality of his shots will improve in Boston, the quantity will likely decrease.
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Lee is averaging 6.7 shots per game thus far, which would be a career-low for him.
The 6-foot-5 guard has no problem with his role, but admits it will take some time to get used to.
"It's a big adjustment from last year," said Lee, who spent the past two seasons in Houston. "Last year I was more of a go-get-it in transition, pick-and-roll offense, reading (coverages) and now it's making sure I'm in the right spots and ready to shoot."
One of the reasons Boston was so eager to add Lee was because of his ability to knock down corner 3-pointers - only former Celtic Ray Allen had a higher shooting percentage on corner 3s than Lee last season.
Because of Rajon Rondo's ability to break down defenses, Lee has had a number of better-than-average looks at the basket that simply haven't gone down for him.
"With this offense, I'm going to get a whole bunch of open looks," Lee said. "With timing and comfort, it'll start falling."
Celtics coach Doc Rivers is always looking for ways for his players to contribute.
But getting more shots for Lee doesn't exactly rank high on his list of priorities.
"If you want me concerned with guys getting shots, it's Paul (Pierce), Kevin (Garnett), (Rajon) Rondo, Jet (Jason Terry) ... the other guys, their shots will come through the offense. So it's not anything that I'm concerned by. Courtney will make shots."
Following Boston's 89-86 win at Washington on Saturday, Lee had four points but missed five of his seven shot attempts.
Not surprisingly, he wasn't happy with his play offensively after the game.
"We were talking after the game, the wide open shots he missed," Rivers recalled. "He's just not used to getting that many. He has to be a ready shooter."
Which is a role that Lee is gradually getting to know.