Personally (and this is just my opinion, not sure if the other founders of jeremylin.net agree), I agree with this article.
Melo's comments were surprising to me. That kind of thing (calling out another player's contract) is unheard of. His subsequent "clarification" that he was referring to the backloaded aspect of the contract was not persuasive (at least to me).
Melo is a terrible teammate and that's why he's been such a loser in NBA. He did win Championship in College but everywhere he has gone has been a negative situation. Jeremy, I really believe didn't want to play in New York with Carmelo, JR Smith, Amare and Woodson - and for good reason...who would want to play with those guys??? If Jeremy really wanted to stay in NY he would have called Owner Jim Dolan and communicated or had his agent communicate with Him and/or Grunwald. I think Jealousy, lack of respect to an Asian Athlete and the resentment of Lin not bowing down is what led to this. BTW, I don't like McHale's comments about Lin either recently treating him like a "Rookie." McHale seems like a big man trying to coach and we all know how many great former big men are successful coaches in college and or NBA (none).
ReplyDeletebad teammate.
ReplyDeleteWell, Bill Russell and Phil Jackson and Don Nelson and Pat Riley are former big men who are Hall of Fame coaches involved with championship teams.
ReplyDeleteI'll look into McHale's "rookie" treatment. No 3rd year NBA veteran is a rookie of any sort. Besides, that "rookie" garbage will end immediately as soon as Lin starts earning his paycheck on the court.
Good article. I'm not politically correct, so I'm not particularly offended by Carmelo Anthony's statements. Besides, he got the point guards that he wanted and Lin got thw franchise that wanted him.
Racism will never die. And Asian Americans will never quit.
I believe Mike is referring to these McHale comments on Lin:
Delete“Jeremy Lin is a young guy,” McHale said on the air during Houston’s Summer League game with the Bulls. “He’s a young kid that is really learning the game and learning how to play. It will be interesting to see how he grows as a player and I’m looking forward to coaching him.”
McHale warns that Lin is still “a work in progress.”
“A part of his game that he has really worked on is his shooting,” the coach said. “He is very realistic about his game and all the things he has to work on.”
McHale has already given advice to his newest player.
“I told Jeremy he has to be a basketball player,” he said. “He has got to be able to run the team, run offense, catch and shoot, be a basketball player and do a little bit of everything.”
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knicksblog/rockets_coach_lin_fits_where_we_hSD8avBQCtlLeECW9xbvkM#ixzz215qNNdbA
Thanks Eric.
DeleteAll of that is true. I don't see any mention of McHale saying that he'd treat Lin like a "rookie", though.
Lin and the Rockets have a lot to learn from each other. So far, the way they're handling each other looks GREAT to me.
Yes, Phil Jackson 6-7" is greatest coach in NBA history - the rare exception. Bill Russell was player coach. Don Nelson never won championship and Pat Riley was a guard. I think every Asian American fan should boo Carmelo Anthony from here on out! He's big reason Lin is gone from New York and he tries to take credit for things he didnt' do......(i.e. voughing for Lin to get off the bench - Dantoni said never happened). Him backpedaling saying ridiculous contract was another one. That ridiculous comment was just plain disrespectful to another athlete? I hope Lin and Melo get double techs next year and square off in MSG with Lin ready to fight!
DeleteBill Russell coached the Seattle Supersonics to the championship in the 1970s.
DeleteDon Nelson is the winningest coach in NBA history. He won championships as a player and has coached many playoff teams despite not winning it all as a coach. Nelson is still a Hall of Fame coach.
Pat Riley played in an era when his 6'5" height made him a big man, regardless of what position he played on the court.
I'm Asian American, but I'm still a Carmelo Anthony fan. I care only about his ability to win games for the Knicks.
McHale could have said I'm really excited to have Jeremy LIn - He's a great player and will do wonderful things for our Organization. He will make his teammates better and will do this and that and this....instead he sounded like a Mike Woodson disciple of envious coach who believes Lin is getting too much credit and he needs to be chipped down and put under control like a slave master would.
Deletedude, he's totally taking the pressure off jeremy! This is great. He is making realistic expectation for the kid so he can breathe and develop. I really appreciate that. Everybody knows Lin is going to play, A LOT. Now he is managing expectations for him.
Deletedude...when your coach doesn't fully support you it's not taking pressure off you it's putting elephants on your back. Lin will have pressure of big contract from day one...what he needs is a coach who believes in him, not call him a "work in progress" like some scrub or something. Cmon
DeleteHe is a work in progress. He is being honest.
Deleteare you kidding me? again he's treating Lin like roookie with that statement...although top rookies would never be called that. Bottom line McHale better get with it cause he will be cut loose far sooner than Lin if it doesn't work...but the verbal shots are a concern as first impression is everything in a relationship.
DeleteBut McHale HAS been saying wonderful things about Jeremy Lin, even before Lin was cut.
DeleteMcHale called up Lin to welcome him to the Rockets. McHale also publicly says how he's going to give Lin the offensive freedom he gave to Goran Dragic. He also says that Lin is going to be the leader.
I don't see anything not to like about how McHale treats Lin.
work in progress? that's an insult to a player if you ask any of them if that was said publicly about them....privately...yeah he needs to work on things as all players do...but I think most on here would agree that is wrong thing to say for first impression of your new star free agent acquisition.
DeleteI think it's OK for any active NBA player to be called a "work in progress".
DeleteThe only NBA players who aren't "works in progress" are RETIRED players.
@KHuang Just a minor correction. Russell did NOT lead the Sonics to a championship. That was Lenny Wilkens.
Deletebottom line...Jeremy can be disrespected by his coach but not by the organization because respect is all about the benjamins and Jeremy's got 25 big one's to walk around with his head held high.
DeleteThanks, Forgebond.
DeleteRussell did lay the foundation for that championship. Or so he said in his book.
I stand corrected.
I have a different perspective. Melo may not be really referring to the contract "ridiculous". He may be referring to the situation "ridiculous". I think Melo understand how important Lin is for his championship pursuing. Until a few days ago, Melo has no doubt that he will have Lin on his side to help him in some way. Then, the "ridiculous" contract is revealed. Melo suddenly realized that he will have to do it by his own without Lin's help. He may be frustrated and thus the bad mouthing "ridiculous".
DeleteDo not get me wrong. I am not defending for Melo. I am trying to put things into a different perspective. However, for whatever the reason is, Melo SHOULD NOT PUBLICLY criticize a teammate's contract although Lin is a unsigned RFA.
Yep, Anthony does need a reliable, respected perimeter scorer who can serve as an outlet and take pressure off of him. Lin would have done it. Felton and Kidd aren't going to do it. JR Smith is off and on.
DeleteIt is possible that Anthony and other NBA players don't understand how Lin's contract affects the Rockets and the Knicks differently under the CBA and why it's structured the way it is.
DeleteNBA players don't necessarily have working knowledge of the CBA. I recall Novak talking about how the issues in the early Bird rights hearing were new for him.
@2fc:
Delete"Melo has no doubt that he will have Lin on his side to help him in some way".
I don't think that's the case, unless you didn't know about the conversation between him and CP3 regarding Lin - totally unprofessional, childish, and ignorant. Even if they are both good players, we don't really need such villains around us. That's the reason I don't watch BB for a long time until Lin showed up.
Really? What conversation did Anthony and Paul have about Lin?
DeleteLink and tip from achondroplasiaphobia, copied from the previous post:
DeleteHere's McHale's interview.
http://www.nba.com/video/games/rockets/2012/07/18/1521200031_chi_hou_mchale_intv.nba/
At the 1:20 mark he talks about wanting to keep Dragic or Lowry as his first choice.
Steve Novak discusses the 'ridiculous' structure of Lin's contract: http://www.theknicksblog.com/2012/07/18/novak-agrees-houstons-contract-offer-to-lin-was-ridiculous/
ReplyDeleteSo what's your point?
DeleteJust sharing a link was his point? But its obvious Novak is trying to show that he backs melo his own teammate as Melo the coach and player killer gets villified (as he should) for chasing LIn out the door. Bascially Novak is kissing ass.
DeleteRelated content.
DeleteHow is it "related", Eric?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteNovak said,"It is kind of ridiculous in terms of the STRUCTURE. I don’t think in terms of Jeremy’s value that it’s ridiculous."
DeleteIt's $5/5/15mil to the Knicks, a big contract only in the 3rd year because of the structure.
However, it's not a big contract to the Rockets because the $25mil will be evenly spread, i.e. $8.3mil x 3 years that is lower than Dragic's of $8.5mil x 4 years.
come on bro. First of all, it was a bit of a bait and switch title, the content of the article make his tone to be a lot softer.
ReplyDeleteNumber two, this is damage control from the knicks to show that carmelo is not a bigot. It's on their blog!
Novak knows that if carmelo can get rid of d'antoni and even Lin, he better toe the line! ha ha! What a F---ed up situation!
exactly..Novak is kissing much ass to Melo...Sad to see but he's smart enough to know who calls the shots in New York (for now). If Knicks start losing as they definitely will...Melo will be getting booed out of there.
Delete"It's on their blog!"
DeleteActually, the blog is under SNY, which is a competitor of MSG. Its ownership chain traces to Mets ownership, not Knicks ownership.
main point still stands
DeleteAdd: Which doesn't preclude that Novak - widely known as Lin's friend - was dispatched by the team to do PR make-up for Anthony, of course.
Deleteon that we can agree
DeleteKnicks are a backward arse organization..no wonder they never win. Jason Kidd and his drunk driving is just perfect for this group.
DeleteNovak also praises Lin for how he's worth the money the Rockets are paying him.
DeleteThere's no imaginary Novak vs. Lin conflict here, no matter how much Eric tries to conjure one up out of his own fantasy.
think his point was Novak trying to do damage control for Anthony not that Lin and Novak at odds over anything.
DeleteAnd maybe Novak was just answering a reporter's pointed question in the least awkward way.
DeleteLike all of Eric's fantasies, reality usually doesn't match his brainstorming.
No Dwight Howard on the Rockets at this point.
Mike, I wouldn't go that far - I was just posting related content. Though it does look like Novak is covering for Anthony, whose follow-up statements to the original 'ridiculous' quote have followed the same line as Novak's statements.
DeleteIt doesn't look like that to me at all.
DeleteAnd even if Novak was doing all the imaginary stuff Eric says he's doing, WHO CARES???
Lin is a Rocket. Find a new target to flame.
K, I was speculating why the Rockets changed their offer to Lin, not why they made an offer to Lin. Certainly, the 1st offer can be attributed to their need for a PG. But why did the Rockets change their offer to Lin in a week when seemingly no other conditions had changed?
DeleteI speculated that the change was due to their heavy pursuit (note: not the actual acquisition, which may or may not happen) of Howard heating up in that period, raising their urgency to acquire a good PG to pair with Howard.
I alternatively speculated that the change was due to Morey watching the PG market rapidly drying up in that period, thus raising his urgency.
Others have speculated that the change was due to Lin and his agent taking confidential insider info to the Rockets, or Morey knowingly manipulating Dolan's famous temper, or Morey reacting to the Knicks assurances they would match the 1st offer.
There have since been articles talking about the Lin-Howard pairing, but Morey's comments since the Lin signing indicates the change was due to a combination of the Knicks assurances after the 1st offer and watching the PG market dry up.
"And even if Novak was doing all the imaginary stuff Eric says he's doing, WHO CARES???"
DeleteUh, Vikram who made the original comment and the people who've been responding in this thread?
Yeah, because YOU stirred them up with an imaginary fantasy that tries to make Steve Novak into a Lin hater.
DeleteSpreading falsehoods about Lin and Novak is a good way to draw a certain type of attention to yourself.
What the heck are you talking about?
DeleteExactly, Eric.
DeleteHilarious quote from a good article:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8174968/jeremy-lin-leaving-new-york-knicks-james-dolan-blundered-again
Here's how Jim Dolan would play pocket aces in a game of Texas hold 'em:
Sweet! Pocket aces! Come on, JD, don't mess this up. Why is this ***hole dealer looking at me like that and why is that dude in the cowboy hat smiling? Oh man, I think he knows. Nah, he doesn't know, he's so stupid with his stupid hat and his stupid accent. Sh*t. He does know. Maybe I should call Isiah? Nah, cause if they see me calling Isiah, they'll all laugh. Play it cool, Jimmy. What would be the only thing they'd never expect from you? What would Isiah do? WWID? Fold, Jimmy, fold!
DOLAN: I fold.
DEALER: Sir, it's not your turn to act.
DOLAN: Don't tell me what to do.
MAN IN HAT: Folded aces again, huh?
DOLAN: It was the right move.
Since now we know that JLin is Rocket. I'm putting all what happened in NYK this past few weeks aside and focus on his future as a Rocket. I'm already excited to watch him practice in training camp and see Linsanity 2.0 in 2012-2013 regular season. Maybe, hopefully, Linsanity 3.0 in the playoffs LOL.
ReplyDeleteOne thing, among the many things, that will be interesting to watch in Lin's evolution next season is his growth as a team leader on the NBA level. Last season, he was a precocious young guard surrounded by veterans. Next season, assuming the Rockets don't blow up their young roster in a big trade, Lin will be the veteran 'captain' who sets the order for the team.
DeleteYeah. The past is past. We picked up the lesson and moved on.
DeleteIf you look at Novak's statement, I do see what he's saying. He's not saying JLin is not worth the money, but the way it was structured was ridiculous, in some sense, to cover for Melo. However, why is the way it was structured "ridiculous" when the Houston's goal was to put some pressure on Knicks and piss off Dolan? Under the circumstances, the contract offer structure that Houston put together was brilliant to achieve their goal. It all depends on your perspective.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't think it's an insult to say JLin is a "work in progress". Although I am a fan of JLin, I do think he's a "work in progress", which is the reason why following him is fun. I will say it again: Even though I am an Asian-American, I am trying to look at JLin's game objectively and see many things good but many things that can and must be improved upon if he is to become a consistent playoff threat against all opposing teams. I want to see one full year plus playoff playing from JLin before I change my opinion on his level of game. Right now, my opinion is that he's a "decent" (average to slightly above average if you want to be precise) starting PG, but he has a big upside for improvements. Look, I don't want to start any arguments, but I think it's reasonable for reasonable people to differ on the way they perceive JLin's game. However, his character and the ability to play a team game is a big plus and attraction. I never thought that JLin would be a good fit for Knicks' starting unit because the way he plays the game and the way Melo plays the game do not mesh well at all. Therefore, as long as Knicks wants to make Melo happy and a center piece, it makes sense to me why they let JLin go. I have a feeling that young players at Houston and JLin will mesh well.
I didn't take the time to read through all the comments. However, I just want to respond to one thing: it's absurd to say that a comment that a player is a work in progress is an insult. Yeah, Jeremy is a work in progress which means that he could literally go from a good player to greatness.
DeleteJeremy does have weaknesses. By saying he's a work in progress means that his weaknesses will become more strong. And his strengths will get even stronger.
If you were to ask Jeremy whether or not he's a work in progress I'm certain he'd say he is.
I feel from everything I've seen Mchale say that he totally has Jeremy's back. Let's not misinterpret here.
As far as Melo's comment... he obviously shouldn't have said what he said--for the simple fact that you don't talk about another NBA player's contract. However, we all say stupid things, don't we? I know I have. I have no idea what Melo's exact intentions were regarding his comment. And, really, none of us our psychic and it's so easy to make assumptions about intent. But from my perspective, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Melo was irritated that the Knicks let Jeremy go. EVEN if he has some issues with their games meshing... even he probably wants the most talented point guard possible.
So he very well may have meant it's a ridiculous contract in the *context* that it thwarted the Knicks determination to sign him.
That's my perspective, at least right now, from what I've seen.
Ok Bamboo...giving people benefit of doubt is a good thing and kudos to everyone who can do that. Please name me one good player in this league that a coach said work in progress to describe their game?
Delete"I wouldn't be surprised at all if Melo was irritated that the Knicks let Jeremy go. EVEN if he has some issues with their games meshing... even he probably wants the most talented point guard possible."
DeleteI agree. There's room for more than 1 perimeter scorer on a team. See Wade/James, Durant/Westbrook. Anthony has his issues, but he doesn't shoot or iso more than other top scorers. He needs someone else to draw the defense, and when he kicks it out, he wants to be rewarded with a teammate scoring. He showed and said last year he's not a point forward. He talks all the time that he wants and needs to play with a good PG. He's played fine with Andre Miller and Chauncey Billups, and attempted to play with Allen Iverson who was a poor PG.
It could have been Lin. He and Anthony had to work out their chemistry, but they would have been fine together. More than that, they had the potential to be one of the best G/F duos in the NBA. But we won't get to see it happen now. Lin lost out on the opportunity to mesh his versatile talents with one of the most versatilely talented scorers in the NBA.
Your argument is flawed. An inability to give you an example doesn't increase the credence of your argument. If you don't see things in *context*, you're not being as objective as you can be. We ALREADY know Lin is a very skilled player. And McHale already said that he'd cut half his team to get Jeremy Lin after seeing what he could do:
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AAm5YTd794
You have be mindful of context. You know, like what else has McHale said about Jeremy's game?
Who would your ideal coach be? McHale seems amazing as a coach, and likable. I don't see things your way.
Melo is a grade A scumbag..no doubt. I've mentioned it before and I'll mention it again, this whole fiasco was office politics 101. If you want to know how Melo really thinks, just listen to Steven A Smith who is Melo's apologist and evil soul mate (don't believe me?..I've heard Steven A apologize for Melo so many times and blame his teammates for his career playoff failures). Do you recall who interviewed Melo after Linsanity broke out and Melo were accusing Melo of not being able to play with Jeremy. I'm sure that Melo had a hand in Jlin leaving. So why do I think so...hmmmm..let's see?
ReplyDelete(1) Melo was a cancer in Denver and had major feuds with George Karl
(2) Melo got Dantoni fired.
(3) I'm a firm believer that Melo said what he said because he's not very intelligent and he was trying to gather support for getting Jlin gone for sure. In the end, he ended up making himself look bad. I think he was taking a stab at Jeremy. What other NBA player has ever criticized another NBA player's contract? It doesn't happen.
(4) As soon as he knew Lin was gone for sure, he started saying all these great things about him. He doesn't want to be blamed for getting rid of a head coach and one of the most popular players in New York history.
(5) Melo and Woodson are Dolan's guys. If you honestly think that Melo had nothing to do with this, I have a bridge to sell you (sorry for the hackneyed cliche).
(6) There was DEFINITELY tension between him and Jlin. I don't know if you guys recall, but there was a game after Dantoni got fired. Melo put his arm around Jeremy, and Jeremy had this look on his uncomfortable look on his face.
A 6-part articles of SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION: JEREMY LIN
ReplyDeletehttp://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8180308/nba-jeremy-lin-six-degrees-separation-family
Why did Jeremy Lin and the Knicks split? Here are six sides to the story.
• Chapter 1: The Family »
• Chapter 2: The Knicks »
• Chapter 3: The Rockets »
• Chapter 4: The Poison Pill »
• Chapter 5: The Financials »
• Chapter 6: The Lin Camp »
IMHO, things are never as black-and-white as being reported by the journalists. We need to take a grain of salt and use context to look at the big picture:
Delete- I don't believe Melo is so full of 'jealousy' of Jeremy as portrayed in the media. He made a foolish comment about 'ridiculous' contract that Houston pitched to steal Jeremy from the Knicks, just as Jeremy's "85% ready" too-honest coment is still used by some media to create controversy.
Melo's and the Knicks' main mistake is to only believe that Jeremy is only an important 3rd player offensively after him and Amare. But Houston values Jeremy as a $25/3 yr future All-Star. The Knicks didn't and lost Jeremy.
You have to understand the journalists are to create news and controversy so don't fall into their trap. Read between the lines and look at the context.
Now we know that the Knicks were thinking of $14M/3yr offer, asking Jeremy to settle for $4M or even less in the 3rd year.
DeleteRead Chapter 6 Lin's Camp
"If they had made that type of offer, he probably would be in New York right now," the source said. "It would have made it difficult for offers from other teams to really sway him because his goal and his heart was to go back to New York. I can't say for sure that he would've turned down a larger offer from another team, but when your incumbent team comes at you and offers you as much as it can, that shows that you're a priority. That would have made it difficult to look elsewhere."
But instead of making an offer, the Knicks spoke in terms of concepts rather than numbers, a source said. And their concept, according to the source, was for Lin to sign a front-loaded contract that actually decreased in the third year of the deal, with no mention of a fourth year. Considering that the most Lin could get in the first year of the deal was $5.3 million, it seemed to Lin's representatives that the Knicks were asking him to settle for $4 million or even less in the third year. Sources close to the Knicks would not confirm that the figures discussed were front-loaded or less than the maximum possible offer.
The Knicks' motivation for a front-loaded deal was to avoid a harsh penalty when the new luxury tax rules kick in for the 2014-15 season, the third year on a new Lin contract. The Knicks' apprehension about paying a steep tax later in the deal gave the Lin camp pause and led it to conclude for the first time that if Lin got a lucrative offer elsewhere, the Knicks probably would not match it.
Thanks, Psalm234.
DeleteIt provides interesting details, but is still vague on the pressing questions. Eg, still no clarity on how much was angry dumb Dolan and how much was the Knicks making a basketball/business cost/benefit calculation. Broussard implies the luxury tax in year 3 was a big deal to the Knicks, but the Knicks were already prepared to pay a hefty luxury tax in year 3; perhaps there was a threshold.
"IMHO, things are never as black-and-white as being reported by the journalists."
True. Even the actual truth can change with perspective and can be fluid with variables that can change its direction. ESPN's top NBA writers worked on the piece, but notice that their takes don't align in places.
Even with ESPN's best quick-turnaround effort at investigative journalism, we're still left unclear about what happened inside the Knicks front office when they received the 2nd offer. While it gives hints, especially pointing at Woodson's assurance, there's no explanation why the Rockets made their 1st offer then changed it to the 2nd offer and how that happened. Why was Lin worth it to the Knicks to sign at 9+ mil in year 3, but not 15 mil? (Again, angry dumb Dolan, or red line on a budget?)
It's heartbreaking that in the LA meeting, the teammates and the coach were on the same page and looking forward to next season. Contrary to many and as I've discussed here, I believe Lin would have benefited playing under Woodson, would have had a key, star-making role in the Knicks offense next season, and Lin and Anthony had the potential to form a special G/F pairing and 2-man game. The Knicks are fooling themselves if they believe Felton will fill the holes left by Lin.
The ESPN piece also falls short by only comparing the cost of Lin's 3rd year at 0 to 15, when there should also be a 9+ to 15 comparison. At Knickerbogger.net, resident capologist 'ephus' did a back-of-the-envelope calcuation on the difference between the 1st offer and 2nd offer:
"But the difference for the Knicks between the two contracts was about $25 million in 2014-15: five million in salary and around $20 million in tax."
"Now we know that the Knicks were thinking of $14M/3yr offer, asking Jeremy to settle for $4M or even less in the 3rd year."
DeleteThat was the opening of free agency, though, and didn't actually rise to an offer. It is interesting though that the Knicks even discussed a "concept" at that point. Usually, it's a QO and 'we'll talk when you have an offer' or an actual offer. Instead, the Knicks did something vague in between. Still, the Knicks seemed fine later on with the 4/28 1st offer.
Also goes to show why it's not a great idea to communicate too much to your RFA during free agency. The piece says Lin's agents used their early talk with the Knicks to shop around.
"Melo's and the Knicks' main mistake is to only believe that Jeremy is only an important 3rd player offensively after him and Amare. But Houston values Jeremy as a $25/3 yr future All-Star. The Knicks didn't and lost Jeremy."
DeleteLin is the Rockets' centerpiece and leader now. What are those worth?
If it is indeed a basketball/business decision by the Knicks, it's penny-wise, pound-foolish. The Knicks went after Steve Nash because they need that high a caliber and type of PG: a top floor general who's also a playmaker and scorer. Well, the Knicks failed to land Nash. Since then, they seem to have forgotten Lin's Nash-like game that can at least approximate the various things that Nash would have given them, and more of it as Lin improved. The Knicks have a gaping Nash-shaped hole at PG that Lin could have grown to fill; Kidd and Felton have their own strengths, but they're not Nash. They're going to miss Lin more than they realize now.
Yes, amazingly the Knicks plan to bluff other NBA teams not to pursue Jeremy almost worked because Toronto and other teams did not believe Jeremy's agents that the Knicks were not likely to match a lucrative offer.
Delete" ...At that point, Lin's representatives began going on the offensive, telling clubs that were interested in Lin, most notably the Toronto Raptors, that the Knicks were not likely to match a lucrative offer. But most teams, still convinced the Knicks wouldn't let Lin go, didn't believe them."
Dolan's anger is definitely the final trigger here. Hopefully someday we learn how he got angry and if Morey had planned this last-minute 2nd offer all along. I believe Morey did plan it although maybe he's not sure how Dolan would react.
Right. Why didn't Morey offer the max 3rd year poison pill in the 1st place? The ESPN piece treats the 1st offer as a footnote when the key piece of the story may be in that chapter.
DeleteThe ESPN piece does imply that, in spite of the efforts now to paint the decision to let Lin go as a rational basketball/business decision, the determination was made AFTER Dolan was pissed off.
Owner Les Alexander was going to get Lin, no matter what.
DeleteThe Rockets put out the poison pill offer and watched the Knicks reaction. Once the Knicks started pulling back, Lin signed. CHECKMATE.
Owner Les Alexander is a shrewd and cunning businessman. Now I see why he is rich enough to own the Rockets.
Guess Donatas Motiejunas is the new Chandler for Lin. 7/13 summer league against toronto. scored 25 points:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrf4bl0Ze9g
the kid shoots 3s too for a 7 footer.
Yeah, I hope they don't trade him away for Andrew Bynum. PLEASE ROCKETS, DO NOT TRADE MOTIEJUNAS AND JEREMY LAMB AWAY FOR NO-DEFENSE ANDREW BYNUM.
DeleteMelo should not have said anything except "I'm glad for him", but whatever I really don't care in the end. My personal thoughts on Melo the basketball player is he's a good offensive player a okay defensive player when he wants to be and a terrible team player. I'm not a Melo hater at all these are impressions he has given me over the past 8 years or so watching him. I think its a no-op in the scheme of things for and to JLin. I'm excited for JLin and ready for the next season!
ReplyDeleteI'll chime in on the McHale comments. I had no problem with anything he said. You guys are taking every work way out of context and reading into alot of it imho. He will be a GREAT coach for JLin wait and see. That entire organization is sold on Jeremy and even the owner said that the press conference had about 2/3rds more reporters then they have seen since Pippen was there. McHale will be awesome, he's a wonderful coach and there are only a couple others out there I could think would be better for JLin but not many. Thats my thoughts anyway.
ReplyDeleteCheers
I agree. If anything, I see McHale's comment is to temper everyone's expectations to not expect Jeremy to deliver Linsanity every night. Reading the whole context with other positive comment, he truly believes in Jeremy.
DeleteMIKE NICE: HERE IS HOW MCHALE FEELS ABOUT LIN:
ReplyDeletehttp://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/18/mchale-sees-lin-as-a-starter-and-a-leader/?smid=tw-share
I'm not sure Mike will like this:
Delete“I told him he has a lot to learn and a lot of room to grow,” McHale said of Lin. “In our league, he’s just a young puppy, especially with the ball in his hands.”
I have absolutely no problem with what McHale said. JLin is a young puppy compared to many other established NBA players. Also, as to someone's comment that if any other player heard that he is a "work in progress", he would be offended. Yeah, true, because for those players they already reached their limit or close to it; but because of the level JLin played at for long time (Ivy League), I see him improving fast to his potential. Now, no one knows where his max limit lies and how quickly or slowly he can reach it. Given his hard working attitude and discipline, I think he can improve his game. Also, the guy is tough. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him in breaking into a sport dominated by non-Asians, just as I have a tremendous respect for Jackie Robinson and who's that Afro-American guy playing ice hockey? I even have the same respect for Obama for doing what no one else did. I cannot emphasize enough how tough and level-headed JLin must be to get this far. I hope JLin can have a long, successful career (even if he does not become a regular All Star, that's okay by me -- so that he can encourage other Asian-Americans to pursue both academics and sports at a high level. JLin, you are an inspiration to everyone who want to pursue both academics and sports at a high level. This will be my last post during pre-season here and I will follow your games in Houston. I will also from time to time check out Knicks games to see how they are meshing.
Deletebetter a young puppy than an old dog. You know the cliche that goes with it.
DeleteIndeed Jeremy still a lot to improve and every game is a learning process whether you win or loose. Jeremy admits that he still need to improve on different aspects aa a bb player and this is the first step to become a formidable PG : admits your weaknesses and work on to improve. It seems he has put behind all the criticism and character assasination from the press (NY)and move on to become the new member of Rockets. Bravo Jeremy.
Delete"young puppy, especially with the ball in his hands” sounds like a dig at Lin's turnovers.
DeleteHere we go with MORE FANTASIZING from Eric.
DeleteYou just can't stop inventing imaginary hatred against Lin, can you?
PATHETIC.
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DeleteMcHale, the same as Woodson before him, recognizes that Lin has things he needs to improve. He wouldn't be a responsible coach otherwise. Lin said in his Rockets intro press conference he has many things he needs to improve in order to establish himself in the NBA and will work on those things as well as what his coach wants him to work on. As his fans, we know Lin is a young player with a lot of room to grow who needs to improve. Watching Lin get better over his career is the journey we're taking with him.
DeleteAt first, I didn't get the "puppy dog" allusion in relation to ball-handling. Then it dawned on me when I pictured what puppy dogs are like with their toys (especially balls): eager, joyful, energetic, but their discipline and control is shaky. As dogs mature, they develop that discipline and control.
McHale's lead-in says it: “I told him he has a lot to learn and a lot of room to grow,”
In other words, Lin need to improve. Improve what? Well, improve this: “In our league, he’s just a young puppy, especially with the ball in his hands.” Ie, ball control, turnovers.
It's not hatred against Lin to want Lin to improve. Lin wants to improve. McHale wants Lin to improve. I want Lin to improve. Don't you want Lin to improve, K?
I know, #1 j.
DeleteIt's even more predictable than James Dolan's behavior.
# 1 j, common thread: the topic is McHale's comment, which recalls Woodson as a comparison point since McHale is, as Woodson just was, Lin's coach.
DeleteIt just struck me that McHale is a lot sharper than Woodson in his public comments on Lin. That 'puppy dog with the ball' bit was harsh, and the 'In our league' in front of that says McHale doesn't believe Lin is an NBA-level ball handler yet. But that's fine, for now. As McHale says, Lin does have a lot to learn and room to grow. Lin says so about himself. Lin will win over his new coach. Lin's fans will support him as he improves and establishes his career.
What an ABJECT HATER you are, Eric.
DeleteMcHale has been raving about Jeremy Lin since Lin's training camp in Houston. Woodson's been lying about Lin and talking garbage about replacing Lin. But because you're a Dolan and Knicks apologizer, you go after McHale who defends Lin.
Lin indeed is a "young puppy" in the league at age 23. Your idol Jason Kidd is old enough to be Lin's illegitimate father. Only YOU would deliberately seek to twist McHale's "young puppy" comment into a fake insult.
For months, I've been telling you that I and other here are ONTO YOU. We know that you think Lin is nothing more than a backup player and that we Lin fans are idiots for disagreeing with you.
Every time you put up another evil falsehood like this, I and others will step up to EXPOSE YOU.
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ReplyDeletecongrats to lin. he played this well.
ReplyDeletebut now he's going to be playing starter's minute for a full season. think Lin needs to concentrate on building his endurance, upgrade his equipment and improve his technique. he seems way too focused on building his strength and speed at the expense of his health. There are so many exercises he can do to strengthen the muscles around his joints. those low profile shoes need to go. but if he insists on using them then get a new pair for each game to maximize the cushioning. He needs to ice his legs after each and every game and stay off his feet whenever possible. probably need to clean house on the team that deals with his physical development.
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ReplyDeleteFelton was promised the starting position on July 4.
ReplyDelete[July 4 - JLin's first visit to the Rockets.]
Zachary Horst@zd183
I'm at Dolans fourth of July party. Felton was there, he said he's on the Knicks. Take it FWIW #Knicks
Zachary Horst@zd183
Center Island, NY, Dolan's 4th of July party. Felton is here. He's a Knick.
A source close to Felton said that he wouldn't have come to New York to play behind Lin.
"He loves New York, but he wouldn't have agreed to come back to sit on the bench," the source said.
Yuuuupppp..
DeleteLin was a goner from the git-go. They straight up lied to him. Told him he was going to be the starter before July 1, then all of a suttin' they go after Nash and these other dudes.
Felton was definitely promised the starting gig. It shouldn't be hard for him now, either, especially when the other option is 39 and a drunkard.
Yuuuupppp!
DeleteThe Rockets already have a guy on the bench that would be a SUPERB mentor for Lin: Earl Boykins at 5'5".
DeleteThat's a guy who knows how to play in the NBA. Maybe Boykins isn't a "star", but he's a true veteran professional. There actually is no available backup PG who's better than Boykins.
Besides, ex Rockets PG John Lucas lives in Houston. He runs a camp that teaches NBA players how to play. As a former NBA head coach and developer of young talent, Lucas would be a terrific consultant. But with Boykins, the Rockets don't really need Lucas.
Considering the height difference between the 6'3" Kidd and the 5'5" Boykins, it would be three or four steps down!
DeleteThat said, Earl Boykins is a special player. It's amazing how somebody that short can play great not just in the NBA, but overseas as well.
Dolan has been butt kicked by Rockets and he has to make up excuses for his blunder. Who will be the better scapegoat that Lin? Knicks has becomes a toxic pool for Jeremy Lin and he will having problem with rest of the Knicks with his backloaded contract painted as a bull's eyes on his back. He will be underdevelope in Knicks and carry the stigma for being a redundant chess piece in the roster.
ReplyDelete