Howard Beck was one of the few New York reporters Jeremy trusted, with good reason:
Jeremy Lin and Mike D’Antoni to Cross Paths Again - NYTimes.com
I also like Rockets beat writer, Jason Friedman. His reporting is fair and level headed and he sees that Jeremy is a potential All-Star.
Jason Friedman (JasonCFriedman) on Twitter
Oh! Good. I was about to post this to everyone. Please go to Howard Beck's tweet to support him as he is the biggest Lin support writer from NYT. Here is his tweet. https://twitter.com/HowardBeckNYT Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHoward Beck is the best in sports reporting business, no question about it, him supporting Lin or not.
DeleteThe Rockets will lose to the Lakers for sure if they keep playing that Harden ball.
ReplyDeleteBTW, has anyone noticed "superstar" Irving led his Cavs to a 2-7 record? Fake superstar ball failed!!
Yes Rockets will lose. Harden might have his 30 pts but a lot of bricks.
DeleteLakers by 17
Kyrie Irving is the "anti Jeremy Lin".
DeleteHe was less proven than Lin coming out of college despite being the #1 pick. He earned Rookie of the Year despite being the statistically WORST defensive player in the entire NBA. He got thrashed by Lin in a head to head matchup last season (anytime an undrafted player scores 19 and passes 13 against the #1 pick, that's a PUNKING). This season, his defense is still horrible and Lin's defense is even better.
Kyrie Irving is the typical low efficiency shot chucker that has people oohing and aahing because they don't actually watch him play. They don't see an average NBA athlete with zero defense and a propensity to chuck the ball.
Everything that Kyrie Irving is hyped up to be is what Jeremy Lin actually IS. Lin OWNS Kyrie Irving.
Does this touchy feely DA/Lin moment mean that LA will slide on focusing on Lin? You know, for old times' sake. :)
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, one of the smaller stories from last game I wanted to touch on was re: Delfino. He's listed as of right now as DTD. When he doesn't play... how much do we really miss him?
Morris is filling in well in terms of making the 2 to 3 three-pointers each game. Morris is also a better defender. He has been put on important defensive assignments e.g. LBJ and Batum. Add in the fact that Delfino actually brings the ball up court sometimes and thus taking touches away from the proper ball handler Jeremy, Morris is a plus if he continues to play the way he is playing: making threes and playing solid D.
Delete@wilc
DeleteThe SF's (and technically there are only two) seem to have the go ahead to bring the ball up when it's their rebound. I'm not sure if they bring the ball off the inbounds often enough (if at all) to be a big deal re: touches.
It does put a lot of pressure on Parsons to play minutes however.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Yes, that's right, often the sf brings the ball up off rebounds (which is also unusual especially since they aren't exactly good fast break play makers). On the other hand, I also remember quite a few plays where the opponent is denying the inbounds the Jeremy and the ball is passed to the sf instead. Instead of passing the ball back to Jeremy to bring the ball up and set up the O, the sf brings up the ball themselves.
DeleteIn both cases, it denies Jeremy the chance to set up the offence whether it be fast break or half court.
But then again, even if Jeremy got the ball back from the sf in those situations, he would just dump it off to a big man at the top of the three point line and then run to the opposite side of the court.
So I guess at the end, regarding touches that lead to play making responsibilities, it's not such a big deal for Jeremy's role whether the sf brings the ball up court or not. Jeremy isn't play making nearly enough whether he brings the ball pass half court or a sf does it instead.
Howard has been a true Lin supporter since Linsanity days, and he always wrote great article about Lin all the way. I really hope Lin can have a journalist supporter like Howard in Houston. Unfortunately, most people in Houston seems to treat Lin as an outsider from NY, and they want to create their own hero - and Harden is the chosen one by the management. All the medias in Houston always try to trash Lin whenever possible.
ReplyDeleteYes, I don't get it. They always trash Lin and never say any bad about Harden at all. So unfair.
DeleteThe guys in Houston underestimated Lin fans. They think Lin fans are a bunch who would never watch basketball before Lin and don't understand the game. They probably think it would satisfy us as long as Lin's in starting lineup and put up decent numbers. They never think that Lin's good enough to be a difference maker to win/loss. But fortunately (or unfortunately to them) most of us here are veteran basketball fans who know the deal and can see what works or not in basketball games and are not blinded by those biased coaches/media.
DeleteActually guys and girls, we shouldn't be worried about Lin so much. He's got a 3 year contract. That means he's guaranteed to be a nba rotational player for at least 3 more years while these imcompetent coaches can be fired and out of the nba at any time. Lin only needs to perform to his best ability in the limited opportunities he's getting. If the coaches want to risk their own coaching career and gamble on not playing and using Lin properly, let them be and they will be out of the nba faster than you imagined! And even the worst comes to worst and these coaches remain here, Lin can still bolt after 3 years and I am sure when he needs to choose to re-sign or not, he will remember this unfair treatment. Or if Lin's traded within these 3 years, he will just move on to a better situation. Ha, Lin's good either way!!
ReplyDeleteYeah - worst case scenario for Lin -> he ends up rich...
Delete@Cara
DeleteI think this is exactly what people should keep in mind. Lin has a guaranteed NBA contract and he has 3 years to fix and improve his game on this team or another. He is still young. To quote someone from Clutchfans, this basically "training camp 2.0" since the Rockets acquired Harden and company at the beginning of the season. There's going to be plenty of mistakes shared by all, and that includes the coaching staff. Kelvin Sampson is a rookie head coach (interim, but still), taking over suddenly. I'm not defending his decisions so far, but I think he does deserve a little breathing room, too. So let's save the firing of Sampson rants at least for a few more games, OK? ;)
You have to view this last game as a good thing for Jeremy. He played well but was kept out of OT. Even the casual fan will find this bizarre and begin to have doubts about the coaching and no longer put all the blame on Jeremy. Of course the hardcore haters will find whatever to discredit him, but what else is new? Lin has been through all this before and has weathered through it. All the negative experiences have only made him stronger. If Linsanity never happened, I'd be worried about his confidence. But it did happen and he now knows what's possible.
BTW, I'm trying to catch up with all the posts these last few days, but there are a ton! How do guys post so much??! And how are you able to read all of it? I can't keep up!
Personally I would be extremely wary of Friedman. He was a poster on crotchfans long before the Rockets hired him, and he remains close to crotchfans and its owner. Not saying he's a hater, just saying beware.
ReplyDeleteWe can't trust anyone from Houston.
DeleteFriedman, very pro-Morey.
DeleteNo need to distrust Houston and every walking person that resides in it.
DeleteOne Houston reporter I would trust to cover Lin fairly is Shern-Min Chow:
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYekbV6pjEI
She's a Houston icon. Too bad she doesn't cover sports.
I don't think you guys need to ridicule all the people in Houston. There are good, fair, trusty people in every city/country as there are bad, biased, distrusty people. Houston, NY, Bay Area, US, China, Taiwan, all the same.
Deleteneph is a San Antonio Spurs fan.
DeleteEVERYONE in Houston, including fans of the Rockets outside of Houston, are his enemy.
Yes, someone had a fight with him on his tweet about his Anti-Lin comments. But sometimes he looked good to Lin's fans. So, can't really sure his is on Lin's side or not. In fact, during his live show he even talked about possible CP 3 trade next year for Rockets last week... So, some fans didn't like him that much.
ReplyDeleteInsanity is failing again and again but still keep doing it and expecting different result - Harden isolation.
ReplyDeleteIf Lin gets traded by the Rockets, most likely he won't land on a better team with a better situation. The media keeps making him look like the worst player in the D-League right now. What playoff team would want to risk their championship hopes on him, when his own team is desperate to get rid of him?
ReplyDeleteThis situation is far from ideal, but it's better than Lin going to a bad team like Washington Wizards, Charlotte Bobcats, or Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee Bucks?
DeleteThey are not a bad team.
ABC Baller, you just think in the Rockets' perspective, from the other teams' perspective, if they traded for Lin, of course they would use him and have some kind of a plan or they wouldn't do that. Still, it's still too early to talk about it. We will see how it unfolds. What I know is that Lin's a fighter, not a quitter. He will try his best to fight for himself here in Houston until the end.
DeleteActually, the Lakers might be the perfect situation for Lin right now. He could back up Nash, who is on the verge of retiring anyway, at which point Lin could take over starting duties. It's on the West Coast so he'd have crowd support (unlike in backwater Houston), he'd have D'Antoni's system, and he'd get he chance to learn from one of the greats in Nash.
DeletePacer...
Deletewhat is this jlin to laker non-sense. lakers already have a back-up pg in steve blake. Jlin would just be a third string pg on the lakers
DeleteBlake would actually be a better fit in Houston than in D'Antoni's offense. Rockets want their PG to be a spot up 3 point shooter. Sounds like a job tailor made for Steve Blake.
DeleteI love how people think that somehow Lin is going to get tons of shots on the Lakers despite Kobe, Nash, Gasol, and Howard.
DeleteSomehow, people think that Lin's suddenly going to become THE MAN on that overpaid Lakers team. Lin's gonna somehow come in and take the ball out of Kobe's and Pau's and Dwight's and Nash's hands.
Lakers fans always want the best players because that how the Lakers owner operates, but that doesn't mean it's good for Lin to be on a team where he's not going to get touches. Lin fans who are currently screaming for Lin to be traded as far away from Houston as possible would be waxing poetic about Kelvin Sampson after seeing Lin come off the bench for a few stress filled minutes a game.
I keep saying that there couldn't be a WORSE scenario than for Lin to go to the Lakers.
Valid concerns, KHuang, but consider these points:
Delete- As long as Nash is in LA, Lin would be leading the second unit, not the starters. He can be Nash's understudy.
- D'Antoni would actually play Lin to his strengths, unlike McHale/Sampson.
- If Lin were traded there, it's possible Gasol would be included in the trade anyway. With Dwight as the PnR man, there's no clear role for Gasol in D'Antoni's offense, which ideally is PG (Nash) + PnR roll man (Dwight) + three perimeter shooters. Gasol isn't an ideal fit.
- Kobe might be retiring soon.
KHuang, I am not from China but from what I heard, Lakers are the most popular team over there. That probably explained this fantasy of Lin being on the Lakers as fans might just want their favorite player on their favorite team. And then there is the added D'Antoni connection. It's more of a fantasy than a well thought idea.
DeleteAnyway I agree with your sentiment. Also what I like most about Lin is that he's not a quitter, he will do his best to change up the situation no matter how hard it is instead of just taking the easy way out. We especially as his fans should admire and respect that quality rather than putting our own lazy attitude on him.
Ach, you are not a realistic person. Instead of being a starting PG playing 35 mpg and being benched in the crunch time once in 9 games, you wanted him Lin to be a bench PG averaging 15-20 mpg and being benched in the crunch time every single time? Or you think Mike D'Antoni would put Lin instead of Steve Nash in the clutch? Or give Lin the ball to run a play in the clutch over Kobe? Who said Lin wanted to be an understudy to Nash anyway instead of being a starter on his own? Was it just your thought or you knew what Lin thought?
DeleteLin becoming an understudy to Nash is way better than McHale/Sampson trying to turn him into Steve Novak.
DeleteBesides, Nash is pushing 40 years old. I wouldn't be surprised if he's nagged by injuries all season. It is already known that he has a gimpy back.
Of course this is all just dreamcasting. Lin can't be traded until December 15th anyway.
Understudy for Nash!? I see a PG who is so deceptive in his passes that he screws up the broadcast of the game at least twice. Maybe a cameraman is behind the benching of Lin.
DeleteLin becoming an understudy of any sort is TOTALLY FATAL to his NBA career.
DeleteSeeing Lin's role diminish to playing scrub minutes against backups would be the ultimate setback. It would undo everything that Lin has worked so gard to.
Besides, there is no way any team in the NBA would want a $15 million BACKUP in Lin's 3rd year. A newer "better" pg would be signed as the Lakers starter after Nash's contract expired and Lin would likely be without an NBA team!
The one team I dread Lin being traded to is the Lakers. He'd be lucky to even be in the NBA after serving as Nash's understudy shooting under 5 shots a game!
Turning Lin into Steve Kerr is also fatal to his NBA career.
DeleteNo no no. Having the chance on the court and having the chance to attack or even being a "Steve Novak" beat sitting on the bench 100 times out of 100 times! Ask 100 nba players and they will give you the same answer!
DeleteAlso, I don't think you know how nba works. If you accept to be an understudy, you are forever an understudy. Who is to say the Lakers would promote Lin to a starter once Nash retired? According to their history, they would most likely just chase another big name like a CP3 or Rondo. The Lakers are never a team who developed players into stars, they just traded for stars and Lin's not recognized as a star among nba circles.
And you are also pushing when you said you would rather have Lin's playing time depending on Nash's health condition instead of controlling in his own hands like in Houston.
Bottom line, Lin is getting 35 mpg here in Houston and he has opportunities although admittedly not many to attack and play at a high level and force his coach unable to bench him and force his coach to change the game plan. His destiny is entirely in his own hands. This > sitting on the bench and watching and praying for other players to get hurt/retired to get a chance and everything is out of his own control.
Ach, I don't think you get it. Lin will never be a Steve Kerr or Steve Novak because Steve Kerr or Steve Novak do not have Jeremy Lin's ability. Jeremy Lin controls his own destiny on the court and no one can turn him into a Kerr/Novak if he doesn't want to, just like no one can turn Michael Jordan into a Kerr/Novak, even you put him on 3 point line, baseline, or anywhere on the court!
DeleteForever an understudy? Sorry, I think it's you who doesn't understand how the NBA works.
DeleteStuckey was an understudy to Billups. Stuckey has since been starting for a few years now.
Millsap was an understudy to Boozer. Millsap is now starting.
Lawson was an understudy to Billups.
Wes Matthews was an understudy to Ronnie Brewer.
Nash himself was an understudy to Kidd.
Kidd was an understudy to Kevin Johnson.
Turkoglu was an understudy to Peja.
Want me to keep going?
"Ach, I don't think you get it. Lin will never be a Steve Kerr or Steve Novak because Steve Kerr or Steve Novak do not have Jeremy Lin's ability."
DeleteThat was exactly my point. Did it go over your head?
Lol, you still don't get it. Lin's already a nba starter, why should he go back to being an understudy? Should James Harden also go back to being the 6th man of the year?
DeleteAnd regarding Lin not being Steve Kerr. You just don't understand how basketball works. If you put Michael Jordan out in the corner at 3 point line, you really think Jordan would just play like Steve Kerr?
Should Stuckey, Lawson, Nash, Millsap and all the names you mentioned went back to being an understudy now after becoming a starter until maybe very late in their career? Lin's already a starter and he didn't need to start over the process all over again. That's my point.
DeletePlenty of players have gone back and forth between starting and coming off the bench. When you say stuff like this it makes me question how long you've been watching the NBA.
DeleteAnd I'm not sure where we're going now with the Kerr reference. I only brought him up to illustrate the point that this Rockets coaching staff is incompetent and not allowing Lin to develop by misusing him. That won't be changing any time soon, they will continue to be incompetent.
I tried posting my thought before on this scenario and was mildly flamed, but it seems to be making sense more and more: Lin is not a backup, he is traded to the Lakers for Nash. Each becomes a starter for their new team. Nash would be deadly in Houston's "PG to the corner" set while Lin would PNR with Howard and have Kobe waiting on the wing to ISO. Despite what Sampson thinks, Lin is an upgrade on defense, Nash the better shooter. Dollarwise their contracts are virtually the same, at least right now. If Jeremy maintains the same averages in LA he would be an all-star.
DeleteI'm not predicting this would happen, just thinking it wouldn't surprise me if it did.
Ach, it's pointless to argue to you because you live in your own little fantasy world. I suggested you to stop fantasizing and try to go ask the person who is most qualified to answer this question, Steve Blake of your favorite LA Lakers: "Do you enjoy being an understudy to Steve Nash here in LA or being a starting PG in Houston?" Lol the answer is no brainer.
DeleteYes, a lot of players keep getting back and forth being a starter or a backup. But no one chooses to be a backup instead of a starter if he can.
I am done talking to fantasy Lakers fans. I am sorry I am not to join in your little world.
I'm SO SICK of the STUPID LAKER FANTASIES.
DeleteYou Lakers fans want to continue with this insane Lin trade garbage, TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE!
This is a Lin fansite, not a Lakers or Knicks forum!
Lakers fan? Ha! Funny.
DeleteOK if I'm a Lakers fan (which I'm not, but let's play along), then you two must be fans of Kelvin Sampson and Kevin McHale! LOL!
Your favorite coaches Sampson and McHale are doing such a great job of using Lin. They show show much faith in him, don't they!
And then you woke up...
Lakers are shopping Gasol.
Deletehttp://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/224541/Sources_Lakers_Have_Had_Internal_Discussions_On_Pursuing_Josh_Smith
They know he has no role in D'Antoni's offense.
Rockets were previously interested in Gasol.
On December 15th, Rockets trade Lin + salary filler for Gasol.
Sampson/McHale get to start their beloved Toney Douglas.
Lakers get rid of Gasol whot doesn't fit in the offense, and get Lin who can run D'Antoni's offense as insurance for 38 year old injury prone Nash.
it's okay achondroplasiaphobia, KHuang thinks everyone is a Lakers fan here. he doesn't get that we want to see Jeremy in the best offensive system for him.
DeleteI'm no fan of the Lakers or Rockets. I'm a bandwagon Spurs fan (such beautiful basketball they play), but I'm also a Linsanity fan.
DeleteOpen your eyes. Linsanity is not going to Happen in Houston with these morons coaching the team. The writing is on the wall.
KHuang and Cara seem to believe Jeremy is untradable.
DeleteThe team that benches him in OT after getting a near triple double isn't going to trade him? Get real kids.
achondroplasiaphobia you got it man. Pau will absolutely be traded. that or he would have to be a sub for Howard which aint happenin. whether Pau gets traded to Houston is anyone's guess but without a doubt something will happen to him.
DeletePacers would be the best place...
DeleteI like Jonathan Feigen from the Houston Chronicle...he seems to know what he is saying and writing.
ReplyDeleteFeigen is a good and witty reporter. But he won't dare to critcize the Rockets (especially management and coaches) too much to destory his "connection" and "insider sources" with them that he built up after so many years. And I can't blame him.
DeleteAt least he questions.
DeleteJonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Has James Harden hit one iso-Joe 3 since the season's first two games? Can't think of one.
9:14 PM - 16 Nov 12
---
[Only 1, Miami game]
That's a nice jab by Feigen to make his point. I can see he is frustrated like us by Houston's idiocy to insist on FAILED Iso-Harden ball!
DeleteAll of us can see that beautiful Lin pass to Harden 3PT in the 4th Q is how things should be done like the 2 games but the coaches are simply blind.
Feigen is a decent writer, but often times he serves as little more than a mouthpiece for the Rockets. He can't write anything too critical lest he lose his access and burn bridges. Maybe that's how it is for every beat writer in every sports town.
ReplyDeleteYeah, even Howard Beck probably wouldn't write this Lin/D'Antoni article if he still covered the Knicks instead of the Nets.
DeleteHas this assistant coach Sampson shouldered the blame for one time yet? Every time he seems to be blaming the players, especially Lin and Patterson. I have never seen a coach critcize his own players so openly when his main job is build up their confidence.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing about D'Antoni (I am not saying he's the best coach around, he does have his weakness) is that he at least gives players confidence. I didn't seem to remember him to criticize Douglas even when Douglas stunk it up for him for many games. You see, the best performing PGs are all the ones who their coaches have the ultimate confidence and put the ball in their hands from day one despite their mistakes/turnovers/shooting slumps, like Lillard/Irving. I meant how dare the Portland coach was putting the ball in the hands of his rookie PG in the clutch instead of his max contract PF. And that must build up ton of confidence in Lillard that will probably carry over the whole year. I remember a lot of people and Lin said the key to Linsanity is that Lin's confidence kept growing from game to game. But it must be hard for him now to play for a coach who has no confidence in you and keeps comparing you to the backups.
True, D'Antoni gave JLin the freedom to explore, to create and to make mistakes without fear of getting penalized/ benched.
DeleteDon't know about TD. [I seem to vaguely remember D'Antoni making a joke about TD one time.]
He did however fiercely defended JJ when the guy was getting booed regularly at MSG. JJ absolutely loved him.
"But it must be hard for him now to play for a coach who has no confidence in you and keeps comparing you to the backups."
- He'll just have to be his Coach-Killa self [as KH would say haha.]
I'm ENJOYING watching the abuse heaped on Coach Killa!
DeleteIt's not that I enjoy watching Lin suffer racism - I hate it because I have experienced so much of it myself.
No, I am watching these fool coaches STOKE THE LINFERNO.
The beatings have begun, starting with last game. When Jeremy Lin starts to rampage, he doesn't quit until his opponents are flatLINed!
Lin indirectly helped D'Antoni get that Lakers job. Without Linsanity last year, NBA teams would have viewed D'Antoni as a washed up coach who only looked good because he had Steve Nash. I'm happy for D'Antoni, good luck to him.
ReplyDeleteThey somehow owe each other. If it wasnt for Lin Dantoni would have lost his job earlier - without proving that his system works. Without MDA Lin would be working in a sad looking office building right now - flipping numbers :)
DeleteAs for the Blazers game, Sampson is worse for Lin than Woodson. It's one thing to take the ball out of Lin's hand and give it to Melo or Harden, that I can at least understand. But to bench him the entire OT for... Toney Douglas? That's a straight up Keith Smart move.
ReplyDeleteI really hope McHale's personal family issue comes to a good resolution soon.
Lin in, Lin out, Lin in, Lin out. Sampson simply didnt know what he was doing by the end of 4th quarter. I sure hope Lin has the confidence to see that Sampson is an idiot - he should not doubt himself for what Sampson did.
DeleteAnyway - Sampson disrespected Lin in front of his team on national TV. Thus proving what a dumbass coach he is - good coaches would not do that! No player wants to be at risk of being humiliated by the coach this way -> noone is going to like to play for Sampson!
The FO had better remember this blunder, if Sampson's name ever comes up for the coaching position.
DeleteLakers game prediction:
ReplyDeleteLin: 10 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds
Harden: 25 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds
Lin sat in the 4th. Houston Harden ball lost again. ;-)
SportsCenter @SportsCenter
ReplyDeleteSteve Nash's small leg fracture re-evaluated Friday night; he'll be out at least another week (via @LakersReporter).
9:24 PM - 16 Nov 12
ESPN: Lin struggling to create own shot
ReplyDeleteThese stats are totally deceptive and don't really tell the whole story.
Delete1st Lin's sample size is too small and he got much much less iso opportunities compared to James Harden.
2nd Lin's isos usually come from broken play at the end of the shot clock, and more often and not in the corner instead of top of the key while Harden usually get the ball at the start of shot clock with him holding and dribbling out the whole shot clock before making a move of his own.
Agree with Cara. I don't know why these so-called experts keep degrading a good player. All they do is collect stats and then analyze them with their stupidity. I doubt that they even watch the games. Oh JLin air-balled an open 3 that could have won the game, and he choke. It was just a missed shot dammit. It happened. But these experts didn't see that. They exposed the shot and circulated it all over the media calling JLin a scrub. What about JHarden's missed shots after shots right before JLin's air ball? JHarden could have won the game had those of his shots went in. But what did the Media say about Jharden? NOTHING, NADA. C'mon man. So to follow these idiots on ESPN and NBA are just stupid. They don't know the whole truth. Believe or not but some of the fans here are more knowledgeable of the game than these so-called experts.
Delete[link] Q&A With Jeremy Lin
ReplyDeleteI think this was done to appease the angry Lin fans especially the part about the coaches. Poor Lin had to follow his company's orders to do this type of cover up. Being a competitor and a perfectionist as he is, I am sure he's unhappy at heart but still he had to say all these nice things and couldn't voice his true disappointment. :-(
DeleteFor those of you who claim you are a JLin fan, but still refuse/decline to vote for him to the All-Star game:
ReplyDelete1. don't you see this is exactly what doubters/haters want, I can almost hear them saying "even his fans abandon him"
2. don't you see coaches will have no hesitation in benching him, reducing his minutes/role, because his fans don't even support him
3. don't you see you are doing the same as the colleges that gave him no scholarship, the scouts that didn't think he was good enough to be drafted, and the GSW coaches who wasted his rookie year
I know some of the fans in the site have already emailed/tweeted to Rockekts/GM's email/twitter accounts. That's great. But will it be effective? Maybe or maybe not. The whole NBA community may not have even paid attention that JLin was benched during OT in that game, except for us JLin fans.
So I think we fans should show our faith/support through this voting to send a message to the whole NBA.
I am a late follower (since Feb.)/huge fan/bandwagoner/LOF, but I am excited and like what I saw in JLin, so I will support/vote for him no matter what.
If you followed him since his high school/college/GSW/NYK, do you still have doubt? I wonder if you subconsciously acknowledge that Asians don't belong in the NBA.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI do not speak for everyone but I think some Lin fans just want to vote based on skills alone. If you look at the reasons you just gave, non of them are basketball reasons. Is that an issue, for me? Not really. However, it would create alot of anger among the fans BUT worst stil, resentment in the league towards Lin. Even Josh Harellson said that when opponents played, they took it personally. Those who call Lin overrated are just plain haters, but there are those who are misguided to think that. If Lin, does get voted in the all star, it would just give further reinforcement that 1)Lin gets the media attention (Linsanity) and the All star vote because he is Chinese. It would make it look as though Lin has this "entitlement" because of his race. HOWEVER, we all know that is far from the truth. Lin had to overcome many odds to where he is today and has EARNED the right to be a starting PG ...now let him EARN that right to be in the All star game.
Delete2)It would reinforce that silly stereotype that Chinese people do not know basketball which is of course silly.
I believe that there are a certain % of basketball fans that are not haters but just blinded by the media to think Lin is overrated. If Lin plays really well, these people can see it and will have greater respect for Lin . There will of course be haters but those who are objective will be able to see Lin can play.
I know it is tough because this year's all star game is in Houston and if Lin is not voted in, it is very embarrassing for him BUT when Lin gets voted in the future, it is not because he is Asian BUT because it is a basketballer. (what objective bball fans think)
You all have read about how Lin said that people did no wan to lose to him because of his race. That is very true but also becasue of the attnetion he had. They want to prove that Lin is not legit at all. By placing him in the all star game this year, it would create further resentment towards Lin and they might try to physically hurt him. We all know this league has become a superstar league and referees might close an eye to certain things. That is my MAIN worry for Lin .I want him to be able to play the game as long as he can and see how far he can go.
Once Lin plays consistently well for a season and continues to improve, more (NOT all ) fans and players in the league would slowly respect Lin as a player.
Right now, Lin is improving but if his shooting woes continue till the month before the All star game, it would make Lin worst than if Lin is not voted in. I know he has expressed how wonderful it is to be in the all star game but if you asked him if he deserved to be in it? I am not sure what his answer would be. As fans, he want to show support to Lin and make him happy by voting him in , but this would only be for 1 day and for other players in the league, it would just give them extra motivation to embarrass Lin or worst, try to hurt him and let us not forget that this is the season that Lin is still trying to get his speed back and I really do not want anything to happen to him.
I hate it when people say Lin has not earned the right to be a starting pg in the league because it is downright false. However, right now, he has to prove that he has earned the right to be in the All star game .
My post is NOT to persuade you all NOT to vote for Lin but rather, just voice out some concerns.
Just to sum up, I just feel that Lin deserves to be recognised for his basketball skills and not be known as a media star (well cant really say this since the media has been spewing crap) OR "he is famous because he is Chinese" Because we know Lin can ball :)
Voting every day to show my support. Many of the players likely already expect Jeremy to be voted in. They know that in principle it's about performance, but in practice it's about popularity. Nothing shocking enough to make them want to target Jeremy any more than they already are. Additionally, Jeremy playing in the game will make others accept that he's an NBA star whether they like it or not. If resentment is the concern, remember that Jeremy is mentally tough. He won't be here if he weren't.
DeleteYour enthusiasm is admirable but your analysis on us fans are just too dam funny. We're all fans of basketball, and we happened to love this kid's style of play and hit wits on the court and off the court. We love him because he's fearless on the court and off the court. He doesn't need bogus vote to the all star game just to prove he's one of the best out there. It's what he does on the court that count. He will shut all doubters and haters soon by playing his game of basketball the way he love it. I don't vote for him because his game so far hasn't reached that level of intense excitement like the way he played back in NYK. Maybe he's still figuring out this Rox system of offense or maybe the dumb coaching staff just wouldn't let him do his thing. Regardless of what the problem is, JLin hasn't played near all star level just yet. His intangible contributions to the game are no doubt ALL-STAR to me, but will that alone be enough to get voted? No not just yet. I just want JLin to put on his command and conquer cape and dominate this game. By then, he's the All-STAR of the entire world again. "
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete@mint:
DeleteDamned if you do - damned if you dont :)
You say that it would cause resentment if JLin was voted into the all star game and people would take it personal - try to injure him. Got to ask you - how is it different from last year or now?
Does JLin have a choice? Something between being either worshipped or hated? I dont think so. Basicly what you say is -> play it nice JLin. Got to ask you again - are you asian and do you think that playing nice is what works best? I think -> asian or not - in life you have to stick out - show that you have elbows once in a while. Even if those elbows come in form of fan support.
Do you really believe that its enough to get him into the all star game if only his die-hard fans vote for him? I dont think so which is why I dont worry that JLin may end up there :) But I think we are enough to give him a respectabele number of votes and that is what JLin needs.
His fans need to show that they back him. If his coach benches him, humiliates him on national TV -> Facebook shitstorm. If JLin doesnt get the calls that superstars get -> Facebook shitstorm. If JLin is being fouled hard and refs dont make the proper call -> Facebook shitstorm!
Yes - of course its all about skills but JLin also needs fair treatment - now more than ever. If not - people will marginilize him - now that he is having trouble (shooting slump, slower, weaker). If JLin doesnt get the proper respect - his fans have to get him this respect - demand fair treatment and carry him until he gets better. Thats all. Thats what support is all about - thats not arrogant.
Everyone knows it's in fact a popularity contest for an NBA show. Is its purpose really that noble that only players that indeed display all-star level deserve to be voted in?
DeleteThere are players who, due to injury, haven't played any game this season, but are still listed in the ballot, then, per your argument, NO fan should vote for them at all.
I hope there is no double standard in your viewpoint.
@HY:
DeleteI take it that you are replying to mints post?
@willydilly, yes to mint and iHoopsAlot. Sorry, didn't see yours before I published. Thanks.
Delete@HY:
DeleteNo biggie. I didnt mean to complain. I was just a little confused.
I think that you are right. Its nothing but a popularity contest. Therefor - lets show how popular JLin is. After all - mints argument works both ways.
With popularity there will be envy. Fans and players hate on JLin. But - its always been like that - we cant change that cause haters will always hate. We have to concentrate on the fact that popularity can also protect a player. If we support JLin the right way he will not suffer from his popularity - he will benefit from it.
Yes - idiots have been claiming that asians dont know bball but there are a lot of bball fans who dont really know bball. Some of those idiots write sport articles or host tv shows. These stupid claims only have one purpose -> make fans feel trapped in a stereotype (yet another) so they stay silent. Fans have to act like fans -> support their idol. Period.
BTW, I am dead serious about what I said. I don't see which part is funny at all.
Delete@willydilly, sorry, ^ this is not direct to you. Just a response to the posting from the above.
Delete@HY:
DeleteGot it.
@willydilly: Nah..of course I am not asking Lin to play nice. As I said, I am just concerned for Lin and in no way did I suggest that supporting Lin is arrogant in anyway.
Delete@Hy: It is true that it is a popularity contest but I just hate it when people say .Lin will get in because of his race. If Lin consistently plays well at least it would shut up quite a number of haters. People are saying that they should change the All star voting because of Lin ..I find it incredibly offensive . Everyone has the right to vote and I was just voicing out some concerns pertaining to Lin . There is no double standard at all.
I would say this statement "I just hate it when people say Lin will get in because of his race" is double standard.
DeleteIf African Americans vote for African American players, whites vote for white players, isn't it normal, isn't it because of race?
It's pretty normal for Lin to be voted in because of race. Besides his popularity is really going beyond his own race.
@HY: the thing is, people think it is more obvious for Lin. Maybe I am thinking too much..at the end of the day I support Lin and I want him to do well period.
Deletesorry to keep dwelling on this, but I have to say what's in my mind...
DeleteI don't think there is anything that is obvious in JLin's journey. He has to fight for it, prove to every team/coach/scout again and again (now even has to prove to his own fans).
We all know he is the most scrutinized players in the whole NBA (mainly because of his race, because there must be more players who get paid even more, but perform worse - sorry I didn't do research on this, if anyone knows, please share). So when do fans show support? Only when he is shining? But when he is struggling (I think the major reason is due to coaching, other than his bad shooting), do we just back out? If so, these people are more bandwagoner than I.
There are some comments saying "he is not doing well, so in my conscience, I won't vote for him". Oh, pleeese, this is not the time to be self-righteous.
We all know his current coaches are mis-using/marginalizing him, benching him for no good reason, and there is nothing we can do about it, except emailing/tweeting the owner/GM/FO to complain. If they can do something about it, that will be great, but we don't know if the owner/GM/FO have any hidden agenda that we don't know, and they may not action upon it at all. Remember NBA is a business. I would say this voting is the only thing that fans can do to show full support.
I know some of you will ridicule me saying my arguments are not bball related. I don't care. When it's about showing support to JLin, I am not a bandwagoner at all.
I agree with everything you said HY! This voting thing is about popularity who own the most fans!!! Not really about what the heck skills!!! Even if it's about what the heck skills some of you guys talk about to Me jlin deserve it. Go vote for him. Go show ur support! While most people expecting lin got so many votes from his fans n infact he didn't what do you think people will say about it?? I am serious sure they ll bullshit lots negatives about Lin losing supports from his fans!!!!
Delete
ReplyDeleteVote or not, that is everyone's right. What I don't like is some other fan telling me to vote for his reasons. I voted for Lin just because I want to see him start. That would be fun for me to watch him play. It's nothing more than a popularity contest.
Me too I want to see him in the all star game. Agree with you said nothing more than a popularityshow. I don't know how people related to skills deserve it or not kind of concerns.
Deletejlin's defense is underrated. among point guards, jlin leads the nba in blocks, 2nd in rebounds, 3rd in steals.
ReplyDeleteJeremy Lin - BEST defensive PG in the entire NBA!
Deleteexactly...thats why I dont get why people one thing and not the other. Just from watching Lin plays, any reasonable basketball fan could see that Lin plays sound D. And if they cant see it, there are stats to back it up.
Deletewhy people see*
DeleteStats speak for itself. It's funny how the Rockets suppose to have a great stat Guru in Morey, which should translate into Rockets coaching.
DeleteBut no, TD is definitely a better defender based on "eye test" Ridiculous...I can't believe so called professional coaches are that dumb and naive.
@hai tran @Etymology
DeleteFirst of all, I agree with you. But playing devil's advocate:
Lin does play sound D, but he is also a gambler (you don't get as many steals as he does without taking some risks). Also, he does leave his man to help quite a bit (less so recently), and sometimes he gets away with it. Sometimes, he will get burned.
There have been posters who've pointed this out, especially late in games, and I think they have legitimate points. Nevertheless, I do think that the numbers show that Lin's behavior on defense is overall a plus for the Rox.
So should a coach be able to get away with not knowing these numbers and following his so called eye test? To me, in this day and age, it is inexcusable. But maybe that's what's going on.
And as someone else pointed out in one of the other posts (and I did have a laugh at this): TD does wave his arms alot.
I think its an experience problem, not even a full season yet, so he doesn't quite know who he can risk leaving to help and who he shouldn't.
DeleteUnfortunately with the likes of Lillard he learns it the hard way. His 2nd outing against TB was MUCH better, I mean Lillard had 18 shots, and was 3 for 9 vs Lin for like more than 3 quarters, TD gives him 6/9 in rest of regulation and OT, so yeah TD is better my butt.
I'm going to say it again, his stats are against starters, TD is against bench. Even so his stats are better, so if you consider that the disparity is even greater.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ga49vPn2ao&feature=related
ReplyDeletepick n roll offense by mike d antoni
just want to share.how he use his point guard.
Mike D'Antoni only can run his offense with big time big men.
ReplyDeleteIn Denver, Phoenix, and New York, D'Antoni endured all sorts of losing whenever he didn't have a star big man on his team. We're talking season long lottery losing, not an occasional game here and there.
You need a quality big man to run a pick and roll. Asik is not that quality big man on offense, no matter how many passes he fumbles or dunks he misses. No coach can take this Rockets team and suddenly run a high post pick and roll with the inferior big men on the team.
MDA lost all sorts of games? Phoenix was a regular playoff contender during his years and even went to the Western Conference finals and would have won if they didn't get half the team suspended for fights. that year the spurs won it all and it could easily have been the Suns.
Deleteand how did MDA not have quality big men in NY? he had Tyson and Amare, the same dude he had before in Phoenix. Also, Tyson had the best games during Linsanity and it proved when MDA finally had someone would really run his offense, the big men got better.
Hey pz, nice revisionist fantasizing there. I'm impressed by your storytelling. Makes GOOD FICTION.
DeleteWhen Mike D'Antoni arrived in NY, the Knicks had just gutted their roster because they assumed Lebron was coming. The Knicks went through some dreadful play with DAntoni as coach, and there were constant "Fire DAntoni" chants from the unhappy Garden crowd. D'Antoni was trying to run his offense through Chris Duhon, but the Knicks kept losing because they didn't have the star big man needed to run D'Antoni's offense. Of course, you don't remember that.
Few people, including you, remember how D'Antoni's 1st season as Suns coach was actually a DUD. He had a very rough go of it because Amare Stoudemire was injured and the Suns could not run his offense. Then the Suns went out and got Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson and completely overhauled their team, thus making D'Antoni look like a hero. But without his superstars, D'Antoni was unable to win in Phoenix.
At Denver, Mike D'Antoni couldn't win either. I don't follow the Nuggets closely, but that was in the pre Carmelo Anthony days. D'Antoni wasn't able to run his offense there, as there was no capable big man on the roster.
No star big man, no wins for D'Antoni. No amount of fiction writing can change that.
Darius Morris, Chris Duhon ... Lin should have a good game.
ReplyDeleteBryant doesn't play much defense anymore, so Harden should be attacking, too.
The Knicks are 7-1 because they play as a team, they move the ball and set very effective PicknRoll for their PG's to get to the paint.
ReplyDeleteThe Rockets are 4-5 because they give into Iso-Harden play. They don't set effective PicknRoll for their guards ... most of JLin's drives to the hoop come off of the pump fake, or in transition. They are not setting picks for him in the half court.
The Knicks are 7-1 because they have one of the highest payrolls in the league and have two proven NBA veterans at every position.
DeleteThe Rockets are 4-5 because they have one of the lowest payrolls in the league and their starters are all still trying to prove themselves as worthy starters.
You get what you pay for.
Yeah, I noticed that. I watched them just one game to see what the Nits about this year.... and they are not playing iso melo anymore! How did the practicing genius psychologist Woodson got melo to go along with D'Antoni's system?! I mean, other than the obvious "if we don't contend this year, it makes you look bad" pep talk?
DeleteThe Nits have 9 new players and they definitely have better roster this year; and they could place 5th or 6th in the EC, particularly with the 76ers horrible situation with Bynum. HOWEVER, I knew right away that their 7-1 at the moment is a fool's gold, because for their first 6 games they played poor/mediocre teams, including the 76ers with their 2 big stars out (Nits played 2 games with 76ers); I don't count the one game (the first game) with the Heat because of the well known circumstances with the Superstorm Sandy. It's really too early to tell.
On the other hand, the Rockets look better than a lot of people thought. Unfortunately, they lost a lot of close games. But the young players are learning all the time.
Contrary to what the racist tabloids keep saying, the Knicks are not doing better BECAUSE Jeremy Lin is such an Asian failure.
DeleteThe Knicks are doing better because the Knicks are doing better. It has NOTHING to do with Jeremy Lin.
The Rockets being 4-5 is also not a failure, like racist tabloids like USA Today state. Actually, the Rockets are an up and coming team and Lin is a major reason why.
Both the Knicks and Lin are doing well. That's a GOOD thing.
Hype - no matter what kind of hype - always sells. People in general are generally stupid. Why do you think political campaigns spend so much money on ads to persuade voters JUST based on the ads? And look at how many people actually PAY strangers to look into their private money matters and then to "manage" (skim) their money - it's dangerous in multiple ways.
DeleteObviously, when a team is 60% different team (73% if one accounts for the fact that Shumpert and Amare have been out), how can the difference be attributed to just one player not being in their roster anymore?
Thank you Khuang,
DeleteJLIN has nothing to do with the current Knicks situation. To say they are better without him is a joke. The question any good reporter should be asking is why Melo, JR, Woodson... didn't you play this well last year? And we all know the answer to that ... it's a CAA-BAL there in New York. Coach and two Star Players with the same agent and agency. That, and, I'm convinced, a league wide racism that includes not only players but coaching and management as well. The recent article in which Jeremy speaks out doesn't go far enough... it doesn't address the racial prism through which coaches, specifically Woodson and Sampson, in this league are judging LIN. If there is a racism amongst the players its stands to reason that that racism would extend to coaches and management as well. A decent reporter would have called out Sampson the night he subbed Douglas for LIN against Detroit, because Sampson thought the matchup was better for Douglas because he pushes the ball better! ... are... you ...F-ing... kiddding ... me!!! What a LIE. Sampson has an agenda here. There is no doubt. If Lillard is killing you so much, and HARDEN is the 2nd coming, why not have HARDEN guard Lillard and put LIN on Matthews. There were certainly plenty of other options that Sampson could have chosen. The fact that Douglas is being promoted, Harden is being protected, and LIN is being marginalized smacks of only one thing... RACISM.
Exactly! You said it all 10/10.
DeleteOne point where JLin does figure in the current Nyk situation:
DeleteThey are extra motivated to play in harmony [unselfish] now to show -> We don't need Lin. We win without Lin.
KHuang wrote:
ReplyDelete> The team that benches him in OT after getting a near triple double isn't going to trade him? Get real kids.
You're absolutely right! I'm beginning to think that the Rockets got Lin to trade for a marquee player: Look at how quickly they got Harden, but also that Harden has essentially replaced Lin as a starting PG! Nobody outside of the Rockets' front office and the coaches knew that they would change Harden's playing position! (So Lin played the starting PG the last game because fans complained - big deal).
However, you also said Lin being traded to the Lakers to be Nash's backup is a bad idea because being a backup is a setback. Yes it is a setback, but what else can Lin do? The powerful Nits' media did a real nice PR job on Lin when they tried to get Lin on the cheap. Also, the steep drop in Lin's stats playing a different role under a different coach and under a different system hurt Lin's value. Unfairly and ignorantly IMO, since Lin publicly notified in press conferences that his production would go down and everyone expected it.
You have to also realize that, Lin was actually forced to play the role of a spot up perimeter SG or a backup PG to Harden (just because he played the first couple of minutes didn't mean he was a starter).... Where Lin will end up is not Lin's choice, but why not the Lakers? If Lin becomes consistently really good, he could step up for Nash when he retires - and the Lakers probably have a great training staff and facility, and the team has gotten even richer! Also, if Lin doesn't do well, he'll not start for ANY team anyway; starter positions are subject to change.
Jeremy Lin interview:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nba.com/rockets/video/jeremy-lin-11182012
Five and a half minutes of goodness.
re: OT, all I have to say is Lin is 100% class.
When he was asked how he felt about being benched in overtime, you could tell he was holding back. He said it never really crossed his mind at the time to question why he wasn't in. Yeah right. It's a great answer, as you never want to give the rabid media horde anything to feast on. But it's a calculated answer. If he was honest and candid about what he really thought about that boneheaded coaching move, it would cause a firestorm. Good media savvy by Jeremy.
DeleteWhat Jeremy wanted to say:
Delete"It was complete racist BS. Keith Smart idiocy all over again. I'm the freaking starting PG and I was a few rebounds away from a triple-double and should have had 15 assists if my bigs could dunk. I'm an elite defender and if Lilliard made some buckets that's because he'd a good jump shooter. Sampson is a moron who showed why he got chased out of Indiana and is a 57 year-old assistant."
Is that Howard Beck, the first reporter that asked Lin questions?
DeleteI'm answering my own question: that should be Howard Beck.
DeleteIn his twitter account:
Howard Beck @HowardBeckNYT
Nice catching up with @JLin7 this morning. Kid is all class. Story posting later today.
Jeremy just face time me, he said "ok, now im hes piss off."
ReplyDeleteenjoy the show tonight, Linsanity will erupt at the staples center
saw on Howard Beck's twitter account:
ReplyDeleteMark Medina @MedinaLakersNBA
Mike D'Antoni will not coach tonight. The Bernie Bickerstaff era continues
I'm not sure if it's true, though
[For anyone interested: Wong Fu productions @ Staples]
ReplyDeletephilipwang @philipwang
My first time at a Lakers game...and I'll be cheering for Houston! @JLin7 all day!! Good luck man!
pic.twitter.com/9ck8yphZ
6:18 PM - 18 Nov 12
Have fun!
Deleteupcoming youtube video maybe ;)
DeleteI dont...I might be wrong here, but for some reason, I think he is purposely playing it cold?! If we were to watch all the last few games, we have seen some glimpses of Linsanity, he is not doing it all the time. Why? only he can answer, that.
ReplyDeleteI dont think he has lost it, its just...hmm, I dont know what is in his mind, is it the coach, or the team, or JH?