When the Celtics signed Courtney Lee as a free agent, he was projected as a perimeter threat and fill-in at guard while Avery Bradley recovers from shoulder surgeries.

But Lee is proving to be capable of even greater contributions.

n the 115-85 exhibition win over the Nets on Thursday, Lee led the Celtics with 18 points (Paul Pierce also had 18) and four steals.

“Courtney was our best defender,” coach Doc Rivers said after the game. “He runs the floor, does a lot of tough things. He’s really buying into everything. They all are.”

(Said Rajon Rondo:) “[Lee] is buying into his role, which is our defensive stopper. He’s going to be that every night.”

Asked if Lee had been evaluated as a high-level defensive player, Rivers replied, “We thought he was. He was in Orlando, the last winning team he was on. Yes, he was a heck of a defender, and he’s getting that back.”

via Frank Dell’Apa of the Boston Globe