Lee unimpeded by shoulder injury

Tasmania center Marcus Lee says there are no lingering issues from the shoulder injury he suffered in Tasmania’s Seeding Qualifier win over the Illawarra Hawks, but admits he’s still feeling some soreness after games.

Lee collided with Hawks center Sam Froling just 22 seconds into the game – which was now almost two weeks ago – and looked to be in a race against the clock to be ready for the Playoff Series against Perth.

The only game he missed in that three-game series against the Wildcats was due to suspension, and Lee says sometimes athletes just have to keep moving forward through injury issues like this one.

“It’s going well, there are some ups and downs with it, but as a basketball player and an elite athlete you have to fight through some things, that’s the way it is,” Lee said.

“It has no affect on how I’m playing, it’s kind of an after the fact thing of ‘what did I do? I guess I hit somebody today and now it hurts’, but it’s totally fine.

“It’s great having the great staff we have to support me with that.”

Fellow Tasmania import Jordon Crawford has come under fire for his recent performances for the JackJumpers, but despite the diminutive guard struggling to hit his shots, Lee defended his current run of form, and labelled it as one of his best runs as a JackJumper this season.

Crawford has hit just five of the 28 shots he’s taken over Tasmania’s last three games, but has been adding value to the team outside of scoring.

“I think it’s funny because a lot of you guys are saying he hasn’t been playing his offensive game, but these have been some of his best games we’ve seen where he’s controlled the game,” Lee said.

“He’s getting guys great shots, he’s doing his job very well right now and we’re just pouring into him right now.”

“We feel like his defence and his ability to run our team has been really good, and we trust him to continue to back himself, to take shots,” assistant coach Jack Fleming added.

“Make or miss, that’s what he’s here for.”

Aside from the theatre Game 2 of a Championship Series brings, the clash will also represent a milestone for Lee, who will play his 50^th NBL game in the tie.

Lee only arrived at Melbourne United mid-way through last season and joined the JackJumpers ahead of NBL24.

“I’m trying to get to 200, let’s go,” Lee said.

“That’s big for me because I only came halfway through the year last year. It means I haven’t missed many games.”

Game 2 of Tasmania’s Championship Series against Melbourne United will tip off at 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, 10 Peach & 10 Play on Friday night.