I have mixed feelings about Jeremy's 2012 D League debut. It's really tough to see Charles Jenkins starting and then Mike Bibby getting some backup minutes. Have you watched these guys? Have you seen their plus/minus? Jenkins can hit the open midrange and is solid on D, but thats about it. He's not gonna penetrate, rebound, and help defend like JLin. Bibby was nice a few years back but looks like he's at the end of the road. He can occasionally get hot from three and set a good pick but that's about it right now. It would be a lot easier to swallow if JLin was being beaten out by legit backups like a George Hill or a Lou Williams. Well, just gotta stay positive. At some point Dantoni will figure it out. If not and Jeremy gets waived before his contract guarantee date of February 10th, he'll have some opportunities with all of the injuries this season. That makes this supposed short NBDL stint even more important as teams needing a backup point guard will be watching closely. Anyway, at least we all get to enjoy watching him play again.
Watch live (4pm EST, 1/20/12) or later on futurecast:
Click here:
Then click on Erie @ Maine Futurecast
I'm not expecting the Knicks to keep Lin for long considering the jam at the guard position currently. Personally, I feel Lin's best shot isn't with a playoff contending team such as the Lakers or Mavs, but rather a struggling team. Losing always forces changes, and as such, on a team where every tactic and player is tried and tested, Lin will have his greatest opportunity. The Knicks are mediocre, and seem to be content with the 8th seed in the East. I'm doubtful they'll give Lin a chance to showcase his talent. I'm really hoping im wrong about all of this!
ReplyDeleteJeremy will be back with the Knicks after two D-League games: http://www.goerie.com/article/20120120/BASKETBALL05/301209928/Knicks-will-recall-pair-after-two-games-with-Erie
ReplyDeleteSo then, why send them down at all ? 2 games isn't enough to develop anyone's game. They should have done this early on.
DeleteAllan Houston (who is now assistant GM of Knicks) believes in Jeremy Lin:
ReplyDelete"Jeremy sees himself as an NBA player, and I believe he's an NBA player," Houston said. "Sometimes it's timing. Different situations. That's what he's run into. We felt like this would be a good opportunity for him."
It is great to have a GM or Coach that believes in JL. Look at two rookies w/ Warriors, C Jenkins & K Thomas, and see how many continuous opportunities they get to be familiar with NBA. JL may follow the career path like Matt Barnes. MB has a career of NBA draft, D-Leagues, Free Agent, Waived, FA, etc. Now he is a well established 6 man with the Lakers.
DeleteGo Jeremy. Don't give up! Play tough every time!
"I just want to see them play and be aggressive," Houston said. "You want them to help win games with Erie and (BayHawks coach Jay Larranaga), but within that, you want them to continue to get a feel for their identity."
ReplyDeleteHouston said the Knicks will revisit the idea of sending Lin and Jordan down again.
I hope Jeremy can play smart while being still being aggressive (OKC game vs. just always barreling full speed to hoop in Kings game). Good pick and roll action with Jordan and drive and dish to open up Devin Green (helping Green have a Steve Novak type performance against Idaho last year) would be good start.
Unfortunately kind of sounds like Erie has too many selfish players right now, and Lin, at least during this first assignment, will only be there two games and might feel pressured to showcase himself at expense of team.
The author of the post almost sounds like Jeremy Lin should be the starting PG for the Knicks. Dont get me wrong, I like Jeremy lin. I think with a couple of years in the D-League he can be a decent guard coming off the bench. But right now, Jeremy Lin isnt that good. He is barely an NBA quality player. The author says Jenkins can hit the open mid-range J and play decent D. That's two things that he can do that Jeremy Lin can't. Can Jeremy Lin hit the open mid-range J? I honestly dont know. I have yet seen him do that in a NBA game. And honestly I don't know how good his D is against the starting or 2nd PG of opposing team. I often see him helping when he shouldnt and leaving the open three. He is often beaten off the dribble on 1 to 1 situations.
ReplyDeleteCompared to Mike Bibby, obviously he lacks the confidence on the offensive side of the ball to become "hot" on the three pointer line that Bibby can. Bibby is also able to run the team and make better decisions with the ball than Jeremy can at this point.
If i was D'antoni, and if my job is on the line and trying to get into the playoff. I really wouldn't take my chances with Jeremy Lin no matter how bad Bibby or Jenkins is.
"Can Jeremy Lin hit the open mid-range J? I honestly dont know. I have yet seen him do that in a NBA game."
DeleteLin can definitely hit the midrange J. Here's an example during an NBA game last year. This was in the 3rd quarter during a tight game, against all the Houston starters. Lin made this jumper over 6'7" Kevin Martin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j1b4E_4hzM
For whatever reason, Lin hasn't attempted many jumpers during his NBA playing time. My feeling is that Lin is more of a "jump shot during the flow of the game" shooter, not a "come off the bench cold and knock down jumpers" shooter. I think he uses his drive to set up his jumper. But since Lin isn't being afforded much meaningful playing time, he probably needs to get used to shooting cold off the bench.
"He is often beaten off the dribble on 1 to 1 situations."
I don't agree with that. I see the occasional comment that Lin doesn't have lateral quickness. Lin usually stays in front of his man, and even if he gets beat, he can stay with them at their side (as opposed to chasing from behind). Only a handful of elite defenders in the NBA can stay in front of their man all the time 1 on 1.
Jl's NBA days are very limited unless his turnover issue is minimized. All other skills are secondary for a point guard.
DeleteHere's my ideal (yet realistic) line for Lin's DL outings:
ReplyDelete40 mins
20 pts, 7/13 fg, 2/3 3pt, 4/5 ft
10 ast, 2 to
5 reb, 3 stl, 1 blk
I want to see some diverse plays: pick and rolls, dribble penetration assists, pullup jumpers. I know he can do all of this, it's time to showcase it!
Shaquiechan.com is live blogging this game. Join in on the conversation:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.coveritlive.com/index.php?option=com_altcaster&task=playaltcast&altcast_code=15aa68f957
Live tweeting at: @ShaquieChan
ReplyDeleteCommentators are absolutely raving about Lin! He's impressively dangerous out on the open court. The only faults I'm finding with his game is the isolation scenarios he's put in with the clock winding down. He should call for a screen and get the ball moving instead of powering his way to the basket. Mind you, a majority of his points is from his sheer strength. Great game so far!
ReplyDeleteThat first quarter reminds me of his time with Reno last year.
ReplyDeleteFacilitator that can take a good team, with good offensive and defensive schemes, and make them great.
He can finish in D-League, but probably not consistently against NBA bigs.
But you can see his value (special sauce that takes a good team and can make them great, but not by individual talent or effort, just the little things that might add a win or two to team like Knicks if he could get some real burn).
Jeremy Lin has a triple-double with 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter.
ReplyDeletea triple double for lin tonight...wow
ReplyDeleteLooks like a typical Harvard stat lin for JLin17. He's filling the stat sheet including turnovers, but he's definitely the best player out there.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dopewar.com
A triple double on his first game in the D-League! He's shown so much improvement from Reno, especially his passing and free throws. JLin before was just shooting and drilling penetrating from the right, but now he's giving his team great shots, he's showing he's on a whole another level now and that he can play as a guard.
ReplyDeleteWhat a monster game from Lin despite playing against a small quick guard in Jerome Randle. Despite the eye-popping rebound and point totals, He was a true point guard tonight. His passing and playmaking made the game easier for everyone else.
ReplyDeleteEven his TOs weren't terrible. He's not throwing a pass to nowhere or losing his handle. He attacked the rim and tried to make a pass for an easy layup or dunk. It worked several times and got knocked away a couple other times.
Jeremy played like a guy who belongs in the NBA, if only as a backup.
And he even posted up Randle in the first quarter. Must have read this blog, heh.
DeleteI think only one of those turnovers (he dribble drived to left and seemed to overpenetrate) were really his fault.
ReplyDeleteImpressive game, and looks improved from last year's D - League stint (a little more veteran savvy and a little confident swagger, which is good to see).
Triple double!!! but i think he can do better with the turnover and make some 3 pts fall. Over all looks good so far, looking forward to the next game. : ) Another win in the books!!!!
ReplyDeleteHe was just amazing on the court, being extremely effective and playing hard. He did had gambled some high risk passes and forced deep penetration into the crowds that resulted some turnovers. But 44 mins with 5 turnovers is not that bad. I think he will improve to have less turnovers with enough playing time and get more familiar with his teammates. When I was watching, there were certain period of time that Jeremy Lin is all over the court doing everything, pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteGood stats on first outing no doubt. But I can't help but noticed the lack of speed & skills in the D-league players. JLin is doing the right thing by putting up some good numbers today, but I'm hoping he would have shot/made more 3's, be even more aggressive, and not have so many turn-overs.
ReplyDeleteI know I sound overly critical especially with such good stats tonight, but realize he is playing against folks that are far from NBA caliber. I'm even wondering if today's game will actually help with his confidence when he gets back to facing much faster, bigger, stronger, more skilled NBA players.
All I can say is.. Damn son.
ReplyDeleteJeremy was phenomenal, played as well as anyone could imagine. Super clutch performance given the context of his career, but those who follow him know he's always been clutch in Hugh pressure situations. Those of you nitpicking over analyzing everything are worse than the most overbearing annoying Tiger Mom
ReplyDeleteWhen Lin play, he makes his teamates better, even if it means just a short flip over for an open 3 pter.
ReplyDeleteHe got triple double today. The announcer even said " ...he did everything except swept the toilet at Maine."
Clips of the game from the D-League's Youtube channel:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSRcALuqO7I
To watch the full game, it's archived here:
http://www.nba.com/dleague/video/dleague_futurecast_archives.html
It was against one of the weaker D-League teams. The defense was not anywhere near NBA level. Lin played 44 minutes, so it's not a total shock he scored 28 points or grabbed 11 rebounds. That's his game. I'm surprised he didn't go off Kobe style for 40 points.
ReplyDeleteIt was his 12 assists which really shows improvement over last season. Especially since it's his first game with a new team.
Lin did not hit a 3-pointer tonight, but to be fair, his 3-point attempts were contested. He did have some looks from behind the arc, but he chose to drive to the basket.
If he were to do Kobe style then he wouldn't of gotten the triple double now would he??
DeleteI hope he stays in the D-League, he's fun to watch...
Complete game highlights of Jeremy Lin:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0FT4HwRnAI
Wow, Lin exceeded most of my ideal/predicted stats. He's clearly above D-League level. He just needs to gain some mental confidence with his jumper, since he won't be able to penetrate with his drive so easily at the NBA level.
ReplyDeleteVideo highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlcAbZ0SFVk
Damn all you need is to give my yellow brother some playing time and he will produce.... The Knicks still suck by the way...
ReplyDeleteThanks to @Anonymous for posting videos. It's been hard to predict what path Lin's career is taking. Ironically, he might be better off at Erie than if he had stuck with the Warriors, or stayed up with the Knicks for that matter. Right now, it's win win. He gets his NBA salary (albeit low by NBA standards, he's still probably the highest paid 10' Harvard Grad.) and we get to watch him play. It's been real interesting to follow.
ReplyDelete