So far two stat categories standout to me as extreme positives going forward.
First, steals per game.
2.67 spg - top 5 in the NBA. This is a stat that JLin translated amazingly well from College. If you're anywhere close to top 10, you have elite level quickness. So, even with Jeremy not at 100% physically (he seems to be getting closer game by game), he has increased his steals per 36min so far this season.
Free throw percentage.
18/19 .947%. It is virtually unheard of for someone to improve their free throw shooting by close to 25% over a career, much less do it over 3 year span. I don't expect JLin to shoot .95 but anything close to .9 would be an amazing improvement in a very short time. This shows you what an incredible shooting coach he has in Doc Scheppler. Let's stop harping on him whenever Jeremy has a bad shooting game. Remember, he work with JLin a ton last summer/fall/winter but didn't really get in as much work this season due to his injury and schedule.
His 3 point shot looks good to me when he isn't hesitating. Look for his 3 point percentage to keep rising. Maybe you stats guy can help here, but I can't think of a great free throw shooter, who is a bad three point shooter.
There are many concerns still out there. Some that will disappear after more games others that may keep growing. I'll try and hit some that I feel are legit, after the Miami game tonight.
A little off topic but news nevertheless. D'Antoni has signed with the Lakers. I still think both teams should consider a trade: Nash for Lin. Nash is the better shooter so the "run and hide in the corner" offense is better suited for him. Harden would defer to him more as well because of his status. Their contracts match pretty well at this point so a straight up trade seems possible. Lin would be a deadly PNR partner with Howard, plus Kobe lurking on the wing. Probably won't happen but it makes sense to me.
ReplyDeleteHere's a link:
Deletehttp://www.chron.com/sports/article/Lakers-hire-Mike-D-Antoni-as-new-coach-4028716.php
Can we trade you to espn boards as well? You probably will get mad but it makes sense to me.
DeleteLes Alexander is just like us: a super Lin fan who knows he has a bargain winner.
DeleteLin ain't going anywhere. Outside of Harden and Asik, there are no untouchables on the Rockets.
The Lakers would win too big from a Nash-Lin trade. GM Daryl Morey might not know that, but Les Alexander does.
Sometimes, I wonder if Les Alexander reads this site. Just by reading his comments, it's obvious that he'd fit right in here!
KHuang, props to your patience with those useless posts/comments.
Delete@Khuang, what makes u think that Les is Lin's biggest fan? Please care to share your thoughts.
DeleteRead this article. This is all you need to know:
Deletehttp://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/07/linsanity-reaches-new-heights-as-rockets-introduce-their-new-star/ .
@Adrien..this was meant for you. Alexander and Morey are big Lin guys. Mchale's gone before Lin, and likely Morey as well. Lin is in Houston to stay for the next 3 years at least.
Delete@jlinisasuperhero, thank you for the article. I will read it now.
DeleteI'll go so far to say that Les Alexander would change his coaching staff before he changes Jeremy Lin.
DeleteWith the Rockets, I couldn't care less what Daryl Morey thinks. I am completely unimpressed by his inability to evaluate talent, plus he has NO SAY in personnel decisions. He's just the finance guy that makes Les Alexander's fantasy basketball dreams become a reality.
Even though I LIKE Kevin McHale as a coach, the truth is that Les Alexander hired Kevin McHale to coach the squad of big men McHale started out with last year. Unfortunately, not even McHale could salvage that squad of scrubs (except Jordan Hill who turned out OK). If at any point Les Alexander feels that a different coach is needed to get better perimeter play going, McHale is GONE.
@ Cara
DeleteThanks for the tip to go to the ESPN board. How are you doing? Don't bother to answer. I don't ready your posts.
Would you consider Jamal Crawford a great FT shooter with a bad 3pt shot at 85% and 34% for his career?
ReplyDeleteAs usual, JLinFan#1 is correct.
ReplyDeleteI've been the biggest critic of Lin's shooting form, but I'm WRONG.
Jeremy Lin is a GREAT free throw shooter, thanks in no small part to Doc Scheppler's exemplary coaching.
As far as Lin hitting more shots in games, it seems to me that he's actually shooting just fine from outside. He'll have to learn to mix that up with other kinds of shots, and it's on both him and the coaching staff to work that out. I do like how the double and triple teams have been far less intense than in the bruising preseason when Lin was "the guy"!
I keep saying that I like Lin's game more this season than I did last season. He looks like a better defensive player to me (numbers bear that out) and even is far more sophisticated on offense despite the seemingly reduced production. This year is completely different from last year because Lin has been thoroughly scouted this year. I know that a lot of people are unhappy with Lin not getting the ball more, but less touches also means less bruises, less turnovers, and higher efficiency!
Historically, Lin has been a slow starter. Even in NY, it basically took him 23 games before he stepped on a court (more due to coaching decision than Lin himself, but still). After a slow start in which Lin acclimates, Lin then becomes "Jeremy Lin". That's what we're seeing right now.
I've been thoroughly pleased with Lin's progress. Even the outside shooting concern for me has been largely alleviated. Now it's just a matter of Lin picking his spots on offense more aggressively while maintaining his excellent decisionmaking.
grow a spine man, you've been going about his doomed 'girly' shooting technique since preseason and now this.
DeleteHeat by 20
ReplyDeleteHouston has been competitive in every game, including against Memphis who just blew out the Heat. It will be interesting to see if Miami can handle them that easily. My impression so far is that Houston's defense is quite good and keeps them in games no matter what.
DeleteHeat will be in a mean mode to avenge their loss to Memphis; Heat by 15 at least. If Houston manages to stay close and lose by 6 or less points, I will be impressed.
DeleteHas anybody other than me noticed that Lin's Rockets did better against Memphis than the championship Heat did?
DeleteI did notice that KHuang. Also the Heat barely beat the Denver Nuggets, so for all those that were complaining that the Rockets couldn't beat these "non-elite" teams, maybe you'll take solace in this?
DeleteA lot chat on ClutchFans about trading Lin for Gasol, any thoughts? It feels like before the Harden trade.
ReplyDeleteI personally would love this trade so JLin can join D'antoni and play along nash. It ain't happenning though.
Deletethey should! Lin, T.Jones, draft pick for Gasol. I don't mind Lin playing behind Nash, cause i know he will outplay him on practice and eventually earn his spot. Nash will be out a lot this season, his body is breaking down.
DeleteCan't you guys just give it a rest? Lin is not changing teams every 5 games.
DeleteThe quality of this site has hit rock bottom.
Pau for Lin! the salary swap makes sense. also if there's anything that was really driving the firing of Mike Brown it was Time Warner's dispute with DISH and DirecTV for not carrying the new exclusive laker's channel. It's obvious they need something more thatn 1-4 record to push the other cable providers to fork out $4/subscriber to Time Warner. Jeremy could bring the fan base they need to get them there.
DeleteBesides, with D'Antoni i don't see how Pau really fits in. Howard on the other hand is perfect.
People need to understand the business side of NBA to know that JLin is not likely to be traded soon for Gasol, Nash or other players (except LeBron James).
DeleteLook at all the Chinese sponsorship around Toyota Center. Consider the "New Age" theme that the Rockets promoted heavily.
How would trading Gasol and Nash fit in this grand plan of Les Alexander to make Houston Rockets relevant as a "New Age" young team and be relevant internationally in Asia? It doesn't make sense to Les Alexander who is also a big enough JLin fan to angrily hang up the phone on Daryl Morey when JLin made the famous 3-PT shot in Toronto.
Why waste time in speculating illogical trades 6 games into the season? Don't be easily swayed by any kind of floating rumors out there.
@Cara: I agree that it's not possible to "change teams every 5 game". But I have been feeling very depressed over the weekend reading postings such as Sampson's Saturday post-game interview (on TD quicker than JL), JL's talent is not properly utilized, coaching staff marginalizing JL, etc.
DeleteI see you (and KHuang, too) have very positive view on JL. I need to learn from you guys more, and pray for JL and his team more.
Lin ain't going anywhere..Lin ain't going anywhere...Lin ain't going anywhere. I'm not a Houston fan at all and I think the people on clutch fans are a bunch of clowns (90 percent of them). I am a proud LOF. Anyone who knows office politics or has been part of any knows exactly what I'm talking about. If a manager hires someone and highly touts them publicly, he will look like a fool if he's wrong. Politics 101.
DeleteUnless Lebron James/Wayde/Durant/Paul are on the market, forget about it. Enough with the stupid trade talk.
the Lakers organization is under extreme pressure to justify their licensing cost of $3 billion over 20 years to Time Warner. they are essentially the new Yankees of basketball estimated to pay $85 million in just luxury taxes!!! forget about basektball, tv rights and money is the issue and if Jeremy is worth everything he is moneywise, you can guarantee they will have their eyes set on Jeremy. also, LA has a very big asian basketball loving population and ticket sales would not be an issue.
DeleteHeck yeah. Bring Lin to my Lakers. So excited to have d'antonni aboard. Let's see what he can do with some real talent.
DeleteNo offense, but do some of you even understand how nba works?
DeleteThe Lakers do not want Lin. There are all in for a championship run and don't want to develop a PG with less than 30 starts to his name. The same reason the Knicks didn't want Lin. They just hired a new coach to accommodate their HOF PG, not Lin. Also, the Lakers have enough star power to sell their games already and don't need Lin's marketing potential.
On the other hand, the Rockets don't want Nash, Gasol or any Lakers old players either. They are a young, rebuilding team who probably won't be a legit contender in the next 2-3 years. What is the use of trading for a bunch of past the prime veterans, paired with their rookies and young guys? Also, they like Lin and want to develop him and are not giving him up after a few games. In fact rarely teams in nba history signed a FA and traded him within a year because it would be disaster for PR.
Honestly, can you guys give it up already and not turn this awesome site into another childish espn board? I feel like talking to a bunch of 10 year olds. Also, for someone who is supposedly "depressed" over some postings about Lin, are you kidding me? Who are you? Is Jeremy Lin your son or boyfriend? There are many things to be depressed in life, being depressed over something like that is silly, no offense.
Gasol has 2 NBA Championship rings and several Olympic medals ... to trade for Lin because he has marketability ? Seriously, that's the argument being made.
DeleteThat's like saying Rockets should trade Chandler Parsons for Lebron James. Because Parsons is so handsome, Miami will sell sell out games like a Justin Bieber concert ... Seriously people.
Wow, Cara laid the smack down and brought the thunder! And I agree with her 100% times 100. (And Cara and I rarely agree!) Thank you for a job well done, Cara!
DeleteABC Baller, what could you expect from some people who probably only started to watch basketball after Linsanity and never even watched Gasol or knew who he is?
DeleteI suppose it's good that Lin brings some new bball fans who would never watch bball before. But honestly there are just a bit too many crazy and not very knowledgeable ones in Lin's fan base, probably more than any other nba players' fans.
Actually Cara, the new basketball fans aren't the ones acting crazy.
DeleteIt's the ones that have been watching the NBA for years that are trying to trade Lin every game!
Fortunately, the majority of Lin fans here are SUPER knowledgeable!
CrotchFans (aka ClutchFans) need to put down the crack pipe. Lin is not going to be traded for Gasol and certainly not straight up.
DeleteCara, watch what you say. You can shout all you want, but don't call people on here a bunch of ten yr olds. If you're not being heard, doesn't mean you can degrade people on here.
DeleteWe all degrade each other here.
DeleteThis is an Internet forum. Don't post here if you can't take the heat.
not true khuang. only few people degrade each other on here, not all.
Deleteok, I yield especially since I'M the one doing most of the degrading!
DeleteWhat's wrong being depress for someone that you admire so much? Actually if you look at the comments post on Internet how many "knoweledgeable" fans like you mention out there? Compare to So many other fans posting negative unreasonable comments about Lin, lin's fans are much reasonable. Most of them go around and posting stupid comments ok?! Don't just criticizing Lin's fans!! We are much much better.
DeleteIf you are more knowledgeable about basketball then fine good for you , and why don't you just kindly share your knowledge without saying others being stupid and posting useless comments. Fans here have that kind of thoughts and share with you all here, if you disagree why don't you just simply disagree?!
DeleteThanks, Lydia.
DeleteI was going to say something, too.
I am not JL's parent/girlfriend/relative/friend, not even an acquaintance, just a huge fan/bandwagoner/LOF/non-knowledgable bb viewer, or whatever you want to call it. But I guess I am allowed to have whatever emotion I have, aren't I?
Good job Cara, Good job
DeleteWe are all a bunch of ten yr olds, right?
You are the most knowledgeable of all of us.
I think the smarter move would be to trade Gasol for Amare Stoudamire to bring back the Nash-Amare duo.
ReplyDeleteInjured Amare?
DeleteAre you even Serious?
Lin is doing what anybody in a new job does: lay low, understand the situation and your coworkers, then gradually assert yourself. It would do JLin no good to simply demand what he wants, especially when the coaches are enamored with Harden. The coaches have had their way with Harden Hero Ball, and now it's obvious that it's not the answer. JLin now has the opportunity to assert himself more. What good would it do for team chemistry if JLin were to say, "Eff Harden, I'm going to play the way I want to." JLin won't get his way by p!ssing off his coaches.
ReplyDeleteGetting what you want is alot harder than simply demanding what you want. If anything, JLin is much more savvy now to the intricacies of NBA locker room politics, due to his experience in NYC.
Lin's numbers through the first five games are essentially on a par with his numbers from last year:
2012-13: 12.3 ppg, 6.5 apg
2011-12: 14.6 ppg, 6.2 apg
Lin's also has more steals than last year (2.7 stl/g vs. 1.6 stl/g). Lin's numbers are fine, considering we're only 5 games into the season, and he's coming off knee surgery, and dealing with new teammates/coaches.
Have faith in Lin's intelligence and abilities, and just remember that this is a long season. There have only been 5 games!! We've just scratched the surface, and it's not time to panic yet.
JLin for the WIN!!!
Exactly, Rocketeer.
DeleteLin is WRESTING CONTROL of the team.
All we need are a few more Harden bricks and turnovers while the coaches encourage him to play hero ball. The thing is that there's NOT A SINGLE PLAYER in the NBA who can win games with hero ball!
Sooner or later, the players on the court will realize that giving the ball to Lin ends up creating opportunities for everyone. It took NY and Mike Woodson nearly a full season to figure that out, and it'll take Houston less than that.
Meanwhile Jeremy Lin is playing better and better each game. Kevin McHale has done an EXEMPLARY job beating Lin into high level form. By the time the team figures out that Lin is the man, Lin himself will have learned enough from McHale and from just playing that he will be GOOD ENOUGH to be the man!
Enough with the hero ball stuff. They are just trying to use Harden to win as many games as possible while putting in a new system with a young team. They are literally starting from scratch, after letting guys leave via free agency and with the trades before the season, and they need time to work things in and let them jell. Plus ... is Lin 100% yet? Seriously, is he?
DeleteI truly believe Lin will be traded to the Lakers for Pau at some point in the next 2 years. It won't be for Nash because why in the world would the Rockets want Nash...although Nash is considered 100 times better than Lin by almost all experts, fans, coaches etc...
ReplyDeleteI believe it makes sense for both teams. Rockets love Pau and need a quality 4 man. Jlin will be the Laker's spark plug off the bench as 6th man until Nash is ready to come off the bench...Jlin is also good to keep Lakers relevant esp with D'Antoni. Lakers want to sell drama and theatre which Lin/Dantoni/Kobe/Howard can provide.
Most likely in yr 3 of Lin's contract (15mill), the Lakers will probably see how good Lin is at that point, and offer a sign and trade package of Pau (if he signs a new contract and agrees to the trade)/fillers for Lin/fillers.
It would be amazing if they can get Lin sooner than that...these Lakers are crazy, I can see them trying to get Lin THIS year to be the 6th man and play 4th Quarter crazy ball with Lin (2),Nash (1), Kobe (3), Dwight (5), and maybe Hill(4)
You guys call yourself a Lin fan but root for him to be a journeyman and get traded every year?
Delete4 teams in 2 years apparently were not unsettling enough for Lin. He has to try out for all 30 teams, right?
He should never buy a house in a city and should sleep on teammates' sofa only because apparently he needs to demand a trade after he plays a few bad games or he coach does not praise him every game for every team he is in. Right?
Cara, you sound like CHARLES BARKLEY!
DeleteWhen Barkley was playing in Philadelphia and team turnover was high, he said "Rent, don't buy!"
You need to alter your beliefs. Such a trade would A) leave the Rockets without a PG and B) leave the Lakers without a PF. How does the trade benefit either team? How does the trade make either team better?
DeleteAnd incidentally ... I am agreeing with Cara, which almost never happens. That should tell you something! Cara is 100% right ... changing teams, coaches and systems every half-season isn't good for Lin's long term career. Or his short term one for that matter.
You have to be kidding yourself if you don't think Lin would have a better opportunity to shine and play his game under D'Antoni. Because I am a Lin fan, I prefer not to see his game suffer.
DeleteI do think he will become a better player more quickly if he sticks out the next 3 years in Houston where he has to become better at improving the glaring holes in his game like structured sets, shooting, turnovers, decision making, risk taking etc. So this year will be a learning year more than likely. I don't want to see him stuck playing with Kobe until Kobe is cloer to 38 years old because Kobe is still king of ballhogging much too often.
But remember running a PnR is a skill too, and if you don't use your skills you do lose it. Lin can become a great spot up shooter etc. but it will come at some expense of his PnR abilities.
I actually think Lin will either leave Houston or be traded from Houton after year 3 if he has not established himself as a legit star. If he has, Houston will obviously keep him. But if he looks only average by end of yr 3 (which I think is unlikely), he will be prime trade bait or simply allowed to leave via free agency.
Therefore, I believe the Lakers need to trade for him now sooner than later while it's still unclear what his ceiling is so they can steal him away. I believe Lin will show out soon enough and then Houston will never trade him once his value is too high.
It's because I believe in Lin and beleive the Lakers are a smart group who want to make money playing an exciting brand of basketball, that they may offer the Rockets a sweat deal this summer for Lin on Pau's last contract year.
SOunds to me though like the Rocket prefer to keep things in tact and add in an all star front line guy this summer in Free Agency.
I don't think Lin would have a better opportunity to shine and play his game under D'Antoni.
DeleteYou know what happens when you run a pick and roll with a guy like Asik that can't even catch the ball let alone score with it? Instead of Jeremy Lin rubbing his man off Asik or passing to a cutting Asik, Jeremy Lin is fronted with a quick guard AND a long armed big man jamming the perimeter because Asik can be left unguarded.
No matter how great people think D'Antoni is, the hard truth is that his high post offense does not work in the NBA unless there is at least one max contract player on the court to run his offense with. In NY, Tyson Chandler was that player for the Linsanity run.
It's no different how people were crowing about how great a pick and roll coach Kevin McHale was last season. He had Luis Scola who's one of the best pick and roll scorers in the entire NBA. If Scola were still a Rocket, Lin would be pick and rolling with Scola even though Scola is a defensive SIEVE that teams attack.
So the bottom line is that if D'Antoni were coach, Lin COULDN'T run his high post offense anyway because the big men are so bad. Then people here would be BLAMING LIN for not somehow turning Asik and Patterson into Stoudemire and Chandler!!!
And the Lakers will NEVER accept Jeremy Lin, even at the end of his contract.
DeleteSeriously, Lin has a better shot of being accepted to the US Olympic Team than getting picked up by the Lakers.
The Lakers only want "marquee" players, whether or not those players produce or not.
If the Lakers were so smart, they'd have recognized that Steve Nash was going to get greyhounded by fast Western Conference guards like Lin and Westbrook and Paul. They'd have signed Lin instead of Nash in the first place since Lin's forte is DEFENSE!
Unknown, Lakers have every reason to do the deal. They don't need an all star PF on that team with DHoward. They just need one who can hit a 15 foot jumpshot from time to time, rebound, and play some defense. Hill can be that guy or the Lakers can ask for 2 of the 20 PF from the Rockets to try. There's only 1 ball and not enough touches for Pau, Kobe, Howard, Nash, let alone anyone else every game.
DeleteYes, I cannot fathom why Houston would do the deal. But it seems to me Sampson wants a more physical defensive stopper of a PG who hits jumpers more like Derek Fisher to pair with Harden. T Douglas is MUCH MUCH closer to that than JLin. Jlin and Harden's talents overlap to some extent.
Every single Laker except Howard (if he resigns) and Nash is off the books after next season. Think about that for a second. We'll see what happens then.
Don't be surprised to see Houston trade Jlin to LA when Lin's salary is set to balloon to 15 mill if he's playing at an average level. The Lakers with D'Antoni will be a team willing to take the gamble on him.
The Lakers are in the business of making money and D'Antoni, Lin, and Howard with a make for good TV...
This is scaring me. Yet another point of agreement between me and KHuang here.
Delete"You know what happens when you run a pick and roll with a guy like Asik that can't even catch the ball let alone score with it?"
"No matter how great people think D'Antoni is, the hard truth is that his high post offense does not work in the NBA unless there is at least one max contract player on the court to run his offense with. In NY, Tyson Chandler was that player for the Linsanity run. It's no different how people were crowing about how great a pick and roll coach Kevin McHale was last season."
"So the bottom line is that if D'Antoni were coach, Lin COULDN'T run his high post offense anyway because the big men are so bad."
Just amazing ...
Khuang, Lakers have Howard, who is like Tyson Chandler on crack, with respect to the Pick and Roll.
DeleteI did not say D'Antoni should come to Houston. I said Lin would work in LA with D'Antoni and the best NBA big man PnR monster in Dwight Howard.
Again, it's just my personal belief if they resign Howard this summer, Lin will be traded to the Rockets next season or by next season's summer's end UNLESS Lin has already performed like an untradable all-star by that time.
Unknown, you've ALWAYS agreed with me as far as on-court basketball issues goes.
DeleteThat's why I (and others here like Cara - I'm not alone) have always respected your basketball knowledge.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with fantasizing, swinglinezigzag.
DeleteJust don't howl when NOTHING HAPPENS and we go "Told ya so".
Khuang:
Deletehttp://lakers.ocregister.com/2012/02/12/lakers-did-try-to-claim-jeremy-lin-from-warriors/69243/
The Lakers wanted Lin...bottom line, I think we all agree Lin is the real deal and he can succeed anywhere. I believe he can prove himself quickly to the point he will be an untradable asset in Houston by year's end.
In 3 years if Lin doesn't get traded to the Lakers, even though he is not performing at an all-star level, you can tell me to eat humble pie. I believe it will happen as long as Lin doesn't explode into a clear cut all-star in Houston. Trading an average PG for an all-star PF even if old is a no brainer. I would trade Darren Collison, Mike Conley, etc any day for Pau Gasol and so would most GM's. And most people think Lin is far below those guys..
I posted last week Lakers would get D'Antoni on these boards.. It's obvious where they are going with this if they resign Howard this summer...Obviously they try to get Lebron types first, but Lin is probably a plan B or C for them so they can continue to make money while rebuilding the roster with Howard leading the charge.
I was just stating personal belief, nothing more...
I also said I believed Lin was a first rate stud with an Asian face so nobody recognizes it...so please tell me off if I'm somehow wrong about that as well.
The Lakers wanted Lin at a BARGAIN BASEMENT PRICE.
DeleteIf they wanted him so bad, they'd have signed him this summer for that $5 million that he's getting paid this year. But NOOOOOO.
Normally I don't like to make predictions, but you're gonna have to eat that humble pie in 3 years. Les Alexander likes Lin too much and the Lakers don't have tradeable assets.
You are totally incorrect that most GMs would trade Darren Collison or Mike Conley or Lin for Pau Gasol. Pau is old, he's got a GIGANTIC contract, and more players and picks than just those guys would have to be included to make the numbers work. While it's possible because anything in the NBA is possible, it's highly unlikely.
The Miami Heat have only lost to 2 teams thus far: The Knicks and the Grizzlies. Both opponents shot over 30 three-pointers and hit over 50% of from 3's.
ReplyDeleteI don't see the Rockets getting hot and making that many 3-pointers tonight. So I don't see a win here.
I agree that I cannot see the Rockets winning this game.
DeleteThis is a game where the weakass Rockets frontcourt is left unguarded to score at will down low while the excellent Heat defenders jam the perimeter.
So it's either have the Hardliners try to score against swarming double and triple team perimeter defense, or throw the ball down low to Asik where he can turn the ball over with nobody guarding him!
@Rocketeer. It does appear that JLin is laying low, but if he's really laying low it's getting to a point of annoyance. When JLin was pulled out of the game early by Sampson it was due to exactly that. After the game, Sampson said the ball movement was good to a point of fault. JLin facilitates side to side ball movement but when it ends up back in his hands he needs to either shoot or drive it but he doesn't do either. There was one possession where Harden passed it to JLin and he passed it back. JLin could have shot it. In the last game vs. Detroit, I think there was a minute left in the 1st quarter and Sampson replaced him with Delfino cause I believe it was due to JLin's reluctance to shoot.
ReplyDeleteJLin really needs to step it up as the second leading scorer behind Harden. He simply needs to produce and stop deferring to Harden.
I also read someone comment about Sampson saying Douglas is quicker than JLin. At this point, it does appear that Douglas is quicker. JLin seems to have a lost a step or something. It seems that he cant turn the corner coming off screens and the defender is always stuck to his hip.
Tonight's game vs Heat is going to be tough. I hope JLin shows us the quickness and good shooting that he's capable of.
Good post, Racha.
DeleteJeremy Lin needs to ATTACK.
We're saying it, Kelvin Sampson is saying it, Kevin McHale is saying it, and likely the Rockets players are saying it.
I don't have any disagreement that Douglas is quicker on the ball than Lin is. Part of that is because Lin is simply SMARTER on defense this year, plus he's also playing more help defense. Occasionally Lin gets burned for outside threes for overhelping, but if I were Lin's coach I'd live with about one of those a game.
Personally, I think that Lin's only problem is that he is still figuring out when to attack and when to defer. ALL good players struggle with that initially - just look at James Harden who's a bricklaying turnover machine!
@KHuang. I was thinking perhaps his help defense is making him tired and a step slower. Also it does appear that JLin is not exactly sure what he wants to do--that hesitation is definitely noticeable during the games. As you said, I hope Jeremy attacks and once he figures it out we'll have Linsanity back.
DeleteI think Linsanity is still going on, Racha!
DeleteMaybe it's not big scoring numbers for Lin, but the Rockets are way more competitive than pundits had thought before the season began. That's even despite Harden really laying bricks and baking turnovers after his first two games!
I'm OK with Lin's helping defense tiring him out and slowing him down because the Rockets team defense is STELLAR because of Lin.
I wrote before that the Rockets coaching staff is using Lin exactly the same way he was used as Harvard: as a 2nd option point guard off the ball. That's taken a ton of pressure of Lin, but he's still playing like he's got three men clobbering him when there aren't!
I think Lin will stop hesitating at any point. He's already had fits where he was like "Screw y'all, I'm taking over" and he DID. When Lin does that, his teammates and coaches will be like "Do more, do more!"
Jeremy's probably has some stat in his mind which says that even distribution equals higher scoring rate. I can imagine Jeremy sticking to this kind of objective stat as his formula for deferring. McHale preached balanced offense. Jeremy bought in, as he always does to whichever system he works in. He knows his role is a player and he knows the coaching staff's role is to design a team system. Jeremy deferring is because he is buying into executing the system and playing the role that the coach needs him to play him.
DeleteCoaching staff is playing Jeremy because they are convinced that's the best for the team. They don't necessarily doubt Jeremy's potential. It may be that they just see him as a equivalent to a rookie high first round draft pick. They will start Jeremy and I've him playing time, but they won't hand him the franchise player role just yet.
Whatever the coaching staff thinks, it is not feasible for Jeremy to go rogue and attack if the coaching staff instructs him not to. The coaching staff may do so expressly or indirectly by practicing plays during scrimmages where Jeremy mainly dumps the ball off (at least initially, since we have seen the ball coming back to Jeremy as a result of the original quick passes to unsettle the offense.) It would be contradicting the coach if Jeremy went ball dominating mode and ruin chemistry with the coaches.
Let Jeremy play his limited role for now. Be patient. Things are improving already. Jeremy, the coaching staff, and his teammates will eventually recognize he is one of the main scoring options on the team.
In the mean time Jeremy is learning to play in a different system. That will force him to develope new skills, whether the coach intended it or not.
Douglas is faster only because Lin is injured. Lin isn't 100%. Which is why all the worrying is so uncalled for right now.
DeleteStory of this website's life Wilc lol
DeleteHelps to put things in perspective when there is so much muddled thinking here, if not for others, at least for me! Hope the narrative helps in some way for others to make sense of things.
Deletewell written and very insightful wilc.
DeleteThanks Eric Miao. It is my way of rationalising the story so far, as derived from the great analysis and wisdom of the posters from this board!
DeleteHere is Mario Chalmers talking about the Heat-Knicks game last year:
ReplyDeletehttp://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-11-11/sports/fl-miami-heat-news-1112-20121111_1_jeremy-lin-heat-guard-mario-chalmers-oklahoma-city-thunder
The steals that Lin gets, comes at the expense of leaving players wide open for 3-pointers or backdoor cuts. He should concentrate on defending his assignment and making it difficult for them to dribble, shoot, and pass, instead of just chasing after the ball and going for random steals.
ReplyDeleteThe best NBA defenders aren't the ones who go for steals all the time. Tony Allen, Battier, Artest, probably never averaged more than 2 steals per game.
Good defense is staying with your man, contesting his shots, and making him give up the dribble. If Lin keeps gambling on steals and help defense, he's going to get burned. Leaving his man open for a wide open 3-pointer negates anything positive he gets from one successful steal.
ditto abc, defense isn't about making steals. Its about staying in front of your man, not giving him any day light, and crab walking him like a shadow.
DeleteThat's nice wishful thinking to have Lin shadow guys, but nobody can defend like that in the NBA.
DeleteFor all of the talk about Douglas's purported defensive prowess, the Rockets lose leads that Lin created when Douglas is in the game and NOT providing that help.
Houston has played EXCELLENT defense, and Jeremy Lin's help defense is the main reason why.
I will not accept that Jeremy Lin is deliberately leaving his man open, not when Brandon Knight scores only 1 wide open three pointer on him.
I absolutely agree with ABC Baller. Just as TOs are no big deal when Lin is being aggressive and creating more scoring opportunities for his team, lack of steals is no big deal when you are defending your guy. However, Lin's D seems to be improving somewhat.
DeleteJeremy is doing the right thing on defense. The benefit of his help defense outweighs the increasingly rare occasions where he is letting his man make the open jump shot (his closing out to challenge the jump shot after helping out his teammates on defense has improved a lot). His help defense is not only beneficial for getting steals. That is too narrow a way to see the wider range of positives from his help defense. Some examples: he forces the opposing team to run down the shot clock by cutting off drives, threatening to come in to steal the ball when big men put the ball on the floor to post up, and standing right in the middle of the passing lane between his player and the player with the ball. All this causes the offensive player with the ball to hesitate and double guess themselves. Options are removed for passing, or passing to JLins man becomes riskier. Less time on shot clock means rushed decisions and bail out shots, and lowered opponent shooting percentage, which is evident from the opponent Fg percentage. Thus, even if JLin does not get a steal, don't overlook that his help d is disrupting the opposing o by more subtler ways such as running down shot clock and forcing opponents into tricky situations.
DeleteUgh. Have either of you considered that Lin is defending the way that his coach tells him to? Can anyone point to a single bit of evidence that McHale and Sampson are unhappy with the way that Lin plays defense?
Delete"Good defense is staying with your man, contesting his shots, and making him give up the dribble."
That is good defense for an AVERAGE defensive player. A great defensive player is able to guard his man AND provide help/get steals/pressure and trap ball handlers.
"If Lin keeps gambling on steals and help defense, he's going to get burned. Leaving his man open for a wide open 3-pointer negates anything positive he gets from one successful steal."
Oh for crying out loud. The Rockets aren't very good, OK? They won't win by setting up and playing good fundamental 5 on 5 basketball like some junior high team. That approach will get them killed because their starting 5 isn't as good as the other starting 5s in the NBA. The Rockets aren't playing rec league or Division III college ball. That sound fundamental stuff doesn't work for a marginal team. They are playing some of the best athletes in the world, and the only way that they are going to have a chance is if their best athletes take risks to make plays. If the Rockets had 5 athletes on the floor as good as Lin, then Lin would be able to stay home. Because they don't, Lin has to play that way.
It is amazing that so many people on here believe that they know more about the NBA than Lin and his coaches ...
Wow, I have agreed with Cara and KHuang on the same day. I must be under the influence or something :-)
DeleteYou've been doing that for weeks, unknown!
DeleteYou just never realized that till now.
Nope, @ABC Baller, you are completely, unequivocally, and satisfyingly wrong. Lin makes the right "gambles", gamble being a pejorative term for "rational team defense". I've elucidated Lin's effect on team defensive efficiency in detail in past posts, but I'll just leave this little nugget here, which disproves your claim with no possibility of argument:
DeleteLin: 0.59(ranked 15 in NBA for all positions so far)
Harden: 1.03(ranked 182)
Parsons: 0.77(ranked 69)
Patterson: 0.89(ranked 125)
Asik: 0.68(ranked 38)
Douglas: 0.97(ranked 155)
He will get burn tonight if he keep defending that way. Chalmers is a good 3-point shooter.
DeleteSo what if Lin gets burned, 777am?
DeleteALL players in the NBA get burned, especially by the CHAMPION Miami Heat!!!
I rather have Chalmers taking the shots as opposed to Wade, Lebron, Bosh, or Ray.
DeleteLin is actually a fantastic steals master because he doesn't gamble for steals, he just gets real deal legit steals! That is why it was so easy for me to assess he would be a steals leader this year on a team that wants to play real defense.
DeleteLin leaving his man open and for backdoor cuts happens for other reasons and those are flaws he needs to work out. But they are not related to gambling for steals! Only thing maybe is that he is watching the ball too much trying to anticipate passing lanes.
The Rocket's idea of using a soft double is ridiculously stupid. You either trap hard and rotate or don't trap at all. Lin and Harden ain't faking anyone with the toe in toe out free throw line dig that apparently Sampson wants them to execute. More likely Lin and Harden just aren't executing the Defense right or Sampson is hoping for Lin to be as athletic as Eric Bledsoe...
Those aren't "flaws", swinglinezigzag.
DeleteEVERY player in the NBA gets victimized on those plays, WORSE than Lin does. Lin more than makes up for that with the zillion other times he stops the other team!
For those of you who don't like Lin's defense, explain to me why Houston's #5 ranked defense and Lin's #15th in the league ranking is NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
Actually, Sampson is an idiot who doesn't recognize Lin's effect on team defense. Don't think coaches are smarter than fans. They aren't. If you see a popular misconception among fans, it's just as likely to inhabit the brains of a coach. Sampson pulling Lin for a single lapse of judgment is why D'Antoni, for example, is such a hugely better coach. D'Antoni sees the good in people's games, Sampson sees the bad. It was D'Antoni who would constantly voice his anger at stupid Knicks fans for not understanding the value that Jared Jeffries brought to the team.
Delete@Michael Terry:
DeleteStop it with the D'Antoni boosting OK? D'Antoni let Jeremy Lin languish on the bench in favor of TONEY DOUGLAS for 1/4 of the season. D'Antoni was going to replace Lin in the starting lineup with Deron Williams. D'Antoni was LUCKY. Lin bailed him out. Lin made D'Antoni last season, not the other way around.
Plus do any of you folks realize that Lin's knee is still bothering him? Are any of you factoring that in AT ALL?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSaw this over on ClutchFans. As I've written in this forum before, Lin has an elite effect on team defense. This year, he's been elite as on the ball defender also.
ReplyDeleteLin: 0.59(ranked 15 in NBA for all positions so far)
Harden: 1.03(ranked 182)
Parsons: 0.77(ranked 69)
Patterson: 0.89(ranked 125)
Asik: 0.68(ranked 38)
Douglas: 0.97(ranked 155)
Don't ever think that Lin isn't greatly affecting wins and losses. The staff isn't maximizing his usage right now, but in a couple months, Lin's effect on defense will be too obvious to ignore by national pundits like John Hollinger.
"The staff isn't maximizing his usage right now"
DeleteDoes the staff believe that Lin is 100%?
Amazing stats, Michael Terry.
DeleteI didn't need stats to see that Lin was playing defense at an All Star level. But it's nice to see that Lin's numbers match up with what I was seeing in games.
I'd also go so far to say that the other Rockets would not be ranked as high on defense were it not for Lin leading them.
Every game, Lin is pointing out directions and talking and being active. He's been doing that all his career, including at Golden State, his first Houston "run", and on NY.
Indeed. You and I can see it because we're watching for it. Unfortunately, basketball is subject to so much confirmation bias. There are hundreds of plays a game, each involving 10 players and it's hard to track the ebbs and flows and match-ups among all players. They just remember they plays that confirm their biases. And then they check the box score? What the opposing point guard scored all these points? Lin sucks. Since they didn't track Lin's play during the games, they don't realize it's Toney Douglas who is giving up the points.
DeleteThose are opponent points per play stats up there, by the way.
DeleteLin's unselfish and humble behavior on the court is misguided, in my opinion - and it seems, his teammates think sl; they don't even listen to him anymore - - especially with Harden in the team and showing a leadership quality. It's affects Lin's confidence and it goes around circles.
ReplyDeleteLike the Bible said, "The meek shall inherit the earth" - NOT his play on the court, nor his teammates! AND - MOST OF ALL - the passage says inherit "the [hellish] *earth*", the school of hard knocks, that we're all trying to get out of or graduate from - It DIDN'T SAY inherit the *heaven*.
There is a time and place to be humble or meek, but NOT on the COMPETITIVE BAKETBALL COURT. Humble is also defined as "ranking low in a hierarchy or scale; insignificant". Meek is also defined as "deficient in spirit and courage; submissive".
Lin's value went up because of him being anti-humble and anti-meek on the court and playing very well, while being humble OUTSIDE the court. I hate to see Les Alexander getting a lemon. And I hate Lin making a fool of himself in a well-paid mass-spectator pro sport - the Nits organization and several of his former teammates must LOVE what they are seeing.
Les Alexander got a lemon - because he wants to make LEMONADE.
DeleteIf Lin's teammates don't listen to him, LET THEM. It'll catch up to them.
Don't ever think that Lin is "humble or meek". No player that soft ever makes the NBA, let alone becomes a STAR the way Lin has.
Lin is gaining ground. Sooner or later, Lin will realize that he's THE MAN.
Even in NY, Anthony and Stoudemire and Chandler and Woodson all looked to Lin to win games. It took a much harder losing streak for Lin to wrest that control, but he DID.
But I also think that the coaching staff has NO CONFIDENCE in Lin! That's why I agree with many people here that either Lin or the coach should be traded. It came out soon the signing that "the basketball minds" at the Rockets organization didn't care for Lin that much. And, as soon as the Rockets started on a losing streak, the articles resurfaced as if Morey was trying to cover his reputation.
DeleteIn the Rockets home opener against the Trail Blazers, attendence was 18,140. But AFTER LOSING THAT GAME, on the next home game with the Nuggets, which they also lost, attendance dropped down drastically to 13,372. As his employees, I don't like to see Les not getting his moneys worth or being made a fool of (Rich people are also entitled to get their moneys worth).
At this point - with D'Antoni and Nash - trade Lin to the Lakers. Lin's salary is modest for the first two years, so the Lakers should grab him NOW. And their media isn't as crazy as NY.
@ztrta:
DeleteYou know - you can hold the bible up high and lead a group of people to peace or you can hold a bible up high and lead a mob to commit rape and genocide. Its up to your interpretation, your education and will...
Greek new testament "meek" -> "praus". It does not suggest weakness - it means "strength brought under control". Ancient greeks used the term to describe tamed wild horses. In the biblical sense it describes "one who has channeled his strengths into the service of God."
As to "inherit the earth":
-God is the owner of this earth (Psalm 24:1)
-Those who obey Christ become children of God (Galatians 3:27)
-The Father supplies all our needs - we therefore enjoy this earth and its blessings more than all others (Philippians 4:19)
-Mainly, however, our inheritance is spiritual (Acts 20:32)
-we are heirs in the kingdom of Christ (Ephesians 5:5)
-and citizenship in that kingdom is available now on this earth (cf. John 3:3-5; Colossians 1:13).
There is a reason why you have to learn hebrew, greek and latin to study theology. There is a reason why the bible was edited. There is a reason why there are different "guidelines" on how to interpret the bible.
He's overplaying the humble card. He care too much about being the nice guy. Seems like he's trying to prove that nice guys don't always finish last.
DeleteI dont know where you come from but it must be quite a tough area. Cause - it seems like you live under the motto: "eat or get eaten" - "Screw them first before they screw you" and "all nice people just act nice".
DeleteCan you somehow prove that he is "playing the humble card"? Cause its quite offensive what you are claiming. How do you know what JLin cares about and what hes trying to prove?
Dont know why you believe you have the right to talk down on JLin but JLin has a 25 million dollar contract. I dont think he is going to finish last...
Again, it's hillarious to me when scrubs keep trying to teach or lecture a Harvard grad with a $25 mils pay check on how to do his job. C'mon man.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete@willydilly,
DeleteAccording to my religion's holy book, this world IS hellish for all beings. Everyone suffers and learns in this world - otherwise, none of us would be here. Some suffer more than others, but the ones who are able to have a direct communication with the Holy Spirit (which can be had in this lifetime, not just pretend) are infinitely better off because of the guidance from the Holy Spirit; there is also an indescribable joy and experiences from being able to communicate. We don't go to one hour service on Sundays and our scripture studies periodically and that's it. Rather it's our life at all times or any time and from any place because the Holy Spirit is within us because God, through Holy Spirit is all present (omnipresent), as well as all powerful (omnipotent) and all knowing (omniscient).
Happy or contented life is not just about money as we all know; money is needed so it's good to have enough money to live on and to be healthy (it's perfectly fine to be rich or not be rich), but *love* of or greed for money is entirely something else. Holy Spirit can, for example, help you with selecting the best specialist doctor for one's illness, or advise one against taking a bad job that you're excited about and thinks it looks really good, or which food is no longer okay for you, or (this happened to me and my spouse 2 days ago) keep you delayed a bit from going shopping (my can threw up furball and had to clean it up) so that you can avoid being in the way of a fatal car accident involving an SUV and an18 wheeler. Miracles can be big or small and can be occasional or frequent.
My holy scripture says that all religions are there for a purpose. But a religion that one thinks is the best or highest - or thinks it's the only true spiritual path where God is present - may not necessarily be the case. I used to be a *Born Again* pentecostal Christian prior to my current path, but I needed to search for another. This will be my last post on this thread because I respect all religion (but bad people using their religion as an excuse is another matter); meaning you can have the last word on this religion thread and I'll just look forward to reading it.
my cat (not can)
DeleteI want to be optimistic. I say houston win today and jeremy will shoot great. Last year this game was the beginning of the end of an incredible run. This time it'll be the beginning. I expect jeremy having a game just like the lakers' one with the knicks. He's pretty good when he has to prove something and i know he wants to show doubters he can score against miami and have a wonderful
ReplyDeletematch.
Bout the heat wade and bron aren't fit especially wade so can't wait to see who will guard jeremy. If it's wade or chalmers or whoever....
Bout rumors or trade I'm not interested. Whatever happens will be for good. Keep having faith brothers and sisters
Bout the heat wade and bron aren't fit especially
ztrta, you're going nuts. This isn't like you.
ReplyDeleteEvidently you've been sucked into the maelstrom by the people here who mistakenly think that Lin to the Lakers is the cure to life's problems. I'm here to uncork you from that nonsense.
You complain about Lin not getting touches? Try LA where Lin would be competing with Howard, Gasol, and the NBA biggest low efficiency ballhog in Kobe Bryant! Lin would be lucky to get five shots a game, and he better hit 'em too!
And if the Rockets coaches have no confidence in Lin, LET THEM. It wouldn't be the first time coaches had no confidence in Lin and he PUNKED THEM ANYWAY. There are 7 other coaches who LOST THEIR JOBS because of Lin outplaying their low expectations, which is why I call Lin "Coach Killa!"
I can see why a Lakers fan would want Lin on the team, even though it will NEVER HAPPEN. But mere Lin fans like myself should hope that Lin never gets traded to that ballhogging superego underachieving ballclub!
True. I wouldn't like to see jeremy looks at what happens in 4th quarter.
DeleteThis game will be a cornerstone. More shoots will go in more confidence jeremy will have and coach will have more confidence in giving him the ball.
C'mon jeremy. This is the time. Play without pressure with lots of fun and for God only. Prove doubters wrong. We will be with you in every shot, rebound, assist or steal...
Nash 28 "Pop's Spur" minutes; Lin 20 significant minutes.
DeleteMuch better and excited fan base.
Get away from the coaches and GM who doesn't really believe in Lin. They trust more in any of the top 5 picks every year, when a half of them NBA-untesteds go bust.
Oh, by the way, Houston is 5th in the NBA in defensive efficiency. Just like when he began starting for the Knicks last year, and they rose from bottom third in the league to 5 in defensive efficiency.
ReplyDeleteAnyone thinking the starting point guard on a top 5 rated defense--who also happens to have the lowest opponent points per play of anyone on the tea--needs to change the way he plays defense is barking up the wrong tree.
STATS PUNKED!
DeleteThis is why I love you and Khuang. You back your arguments with empirical data and real facts unlike people stating things like "Lin is underperforming" and "Lin is not getting the ball enough".
DeleteMichael Terry and I have spent our lives trying to rid ourselves of "confirmation bias".
DeleteWe are not Lin fans because he's Asian. We are Lin fans because he's the NBA's secret weapon!
I've been saying all along that Linsanity rages on for me. The stats confirm what I'm seeing with my eyes.
If anything, I've been SURPRISED that Lin was ranked that high on defense and the Rockets were that good. But I did call Lin the best point guard defender in the entire NBA and predicted this summer that the Rockets would be a super defensive team just because Lin was on the roster!
I have a question for Michael Terry.
DeleteMichael, how does Jeremy Lin's defense compare to Jason Kidd defense in Kidd's first three years?
Even though I value and interpret stats, I am not good at figuring those things out online.
My guess is that Jeremy Lin's defense is every bit comparable to a young Jason Kidd's defense.
Where you have the number-meter, I have the "Whoa Meter" every time I see Lin or Kidd get defensive stops.
I have the same good feeling about Lin's defense that I had about Kidd, maybe MORE.
It's hard to say. Some of the numbers I've had to piece together from columnists who have access to stats teams and a historical database, so I can't get them for other players at will. I can say that Jason Kidd in his first year of starts averaged 2.0 steals and 0.3 blocks per 36 minutes, and Lin averaged 2.33 and .38 per 40 minutes. So, athleticism wise, they seem to be quite similar.
DeleteMy favorite defensive stats for a point guard are defensive efficiency and two-man lineup defensive efficiency. Usually a point guard needs to have a really good shot blocker to strategically funnel opponents to to be really effective and usually that shot blocker, like Tyson Chandler, will have the highest DRtg while the point guard (the second most important piece) should share the highest two-man lineup efficiency with him if he's the second most important defensive player...again, like Chandler/Lin last year. These stats are way better because they subsume the entirety of team defensive play contributed by one player, but they're only useful if the player is one of the two best defenders on the team. In that case, defensive efficiency is conclusive. There's no way to argue that the player with the highest DRtg on his team is anything other than the most important defensive player, for example. Unfortunately, with respect to Jason Kidd, I can't find that data that far back. Even where it is available, for the last several years at basketballvalue.com, I have yet to download and parse it into a format that fits my favorite way of looking at it.
Thanks for fully answering my question, Michael.
DeleteMy EYE TEST tells me that Lin is at least as good on defense as Kidd, likely BETTER.
The difference between the two guys is that opponents were afraid of Kidd on defense while they actively go right at Jeremy Lin because they think Lin is a weak defender. Teams used to avoid Kidd defensively because the perception was that he was a big athletic guard that could get steals and blocks - like what Lin ACTUALLY is.
Running an offense right at Jeremy Lin just because he's Asian is one of the dumbest things I've ever seen teams do - and every team does it! That's a surefire way to sabotage one's one offense!
I have a feeling the Rockets will play a close game tonight and Lin won't play like a scrub today since he claimed he was going to repay them back in his summer comments. But I've learned with Lin, not everything he says plays out like he expects. I think you will see Lin rack up steals, assists, and rebounds tonight cause he's gonna really play hard.
ReplyDeletePrediction: Miami wins a close one as the last loss was too embarrassing for them. Houston sees light at end of the tunnel despite close loss.
Very realistic prediction. Good going.
DeleteIf the game is a blowout, it doesn't make your prediction any less valid.
Khuang, we are all legit Lin fans here. We will be laughing together in a few years when Lin is killing it and his detractors run out of things to say after he wins the NBA title.
DeletePeople still want to hate on Lebron even now, and all they really do is laugh at his hairline because there is nothing else to make fun of...the math nerd pocket calculator jokes will never end but Lin will laugh all the way to the bank and into the history books.
I LOVE Lebron James.
DeleteEven though he had some locker room attitude problems when he entered the league young, he's solved them completely and is a great teammate and a great guy.
The one thing I don't agree with is people saying that Lebron can be better than Michael Jordan. Lebron will never have the incredible skills that Jordan had.
I'll also say that I don't think that Michael Jordan is the "greatest" NBA player that ever played. Kareem Abdul Jabbar is my man, as far as total domination on both ends of the court goes. Michael Jordan and Tim Duncan are right after Kareem and are equal to me. Wilt, Dr. J, Magic, Larry, and Kobe get the next rung for me.
@KHuang,
DeleteI agree with you about LeBron. I really like him. He made typical growing and learning mistakes when he was a younger player and suddenly became mega rich and mega important to his team. And unlike some other superstars, he is learning and growing as a person - and fast. He's still a young man don't forget!
why are guys so doubtful of a Lin to Lakers trade? no one's saying it will be this year but it could well be in play for next 3 years on D'Antoni's contract.
ReplyDeleteD Howard can easily walk away at the end of this year leaving the Lakers without a future franchise player. Kobe's got 2 more years, and Nash can break anyday now leaving them with Steve Blake who is nowhere near the type of PG that D'Antoni wants running his offence.
Crazier trades have happened. Shaq was traded, and so easily can Jeremy if the right package is put together.
We're doubtful because we know that Houston's owner Alexander LOVES Jeremy Lin and that Lakers owner Jerry Buss only wants 1st tier stars (which Jeremy Lin isn't).
Deletebetter yet, pz, read Cara's rebuttal to you above.
DeleteShe outlined for you perfectly how the NBA works.
We fans cannot use "magical thinking" to push our favorite players to our favorite teams.
i've been an avid fan of the NBA for 37 years thank you. and if there's one thing i know, it is that the NBA is completely unpredictable.
DeleteNo one would have predicted Shaq was going to be traded when he was. No one could have seen trade that brought Garnett and Allen to Boston, nor the Grizzlies giving up Pau Gasol to the Lakers for at the time nothing but draft picks and Kwame Brown. No one also could have thought a for sure deal with Chris Paul heading the Lakers would be rescinded by emporer Stern himself.
So save yourselves the "i know the NBA" speech. much more of what happens in the league and teams are about money. Winning usually equals more money and that is a good incentive to form winning teams, but it is not always the main incentive for acquiring players.
If you've been an NBA fan that long, then you should understand NBA mentality by now.
DeleteThe NBA is "completely unpredictable" only to those who aren't paying attention to the daily ins and outs of the league.
The Shaq, Gasol, and Paul trades were all openly discussed long before the trades actually happened. MN had been dissatisfied with Garnett's performance and was openly shopping him, and Boston was going nowhere with Al Jefferson and was openly talking about trading him. Certainly the Ray Allen trade was no surprise, given Boston's openly stated desire to move up in the draft to get either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. Shaq's manfights with Kobe Bryant (and Shaq's desire to be traded as well as Buss's known reluctance to keep paying Shaq) were well known, Gasol's desire to escape Memphis was well documented, and Chris Paul was going to get himself traded SOMEWHERE and somewhere GOOD.
You should understand that the NBA is actually a slow moving league where decisions are usually not made by fan impulse. Typically an NBA team will float information out there to "feel" its way around potential trades, not just in NBA offices but in the media. And by examining those feelers, fans can easily get a clear picture of how and why front offices do what they do.
In the case of the Lakers, the goal of owner Jerry Buss has always been to stack his team 1-5 with the very best perceived starters at any position. It's not enough to be a great producer like Jeremy Lin - to be a Laker under Jerry Buss, you have to have the star name and reputation to go with it. That has been the Laker way ever since Jerry Buss took over from Jack Kent Cooke decades ago.
Now if Jeremy Lin suddenly makes the All Star team three years in a row, then he becomes qualified to be a Laker. Whether Houston would actively trade him at that point would depend on a lot of factors, money being the primary one. But my guess is that Les Alexander would be delighted to keep a super performing Lin in a Rockets uniform, as Alexander has a well known history of paying his star players to keep them in Houston.
Now if Lin isn't perceived as being one of the very top point guards in the league, the Lakers won't want him because they only acquire "star power". Doesn't matter if Lin actually is PRODUCING like a star, the Lakers will only want Lin if the media TALKS ABOUT HIM like he's a star!
You obviously didn't follow the Lakers when the starting 5 was Kobe, Smush Parker, Kwame Brown, Chris Mihm, and Odom. Was this Jerry Buss's idea of stacking the team after he traded Shaq? The Pao trade didn't happen until 2 years later and don't tell high school rookie Bynum was by any means a player worth building around.
DeleteThe mere fact that they hired D'Antoni is proof of them willing to give his style of offense a chance under Nash. And everyone also knows there is probably no other point guard aside from Nash that flourished under MDA's system than Jeremy. Believe me the Lakers are very aware of this.
For all you guys here to assume that Jeremy is off limits for the next 2 years of his contract is absurd. There are other factors to consider that can develop over the year such as McHale & Lin's rapport and if Jeremy after his 2nd year will be offered an extension and if he'll accept it or not which might force Houston to make a deal.
There are many scenarios and anyone who's watch the NBA long enough knows anything can happen.
You're just trying to flame me pz, and you're gonna FAIL.
DeleteI of all people followed the Lakers when the starting 5 was Kobe and the underrated Smush Parker. That team got beaten by "my" hometown Suns even though they played very physically in that series. So I knew EXACTLY what was going on with that team contrary to what you post here.
The Lakers may be aware of Jeremy Lin doing well with D'Antoni, but they could've had Lin this summer and refused to sign him. CASE CLOSED.
For a Lakers fan, you don't understand their star power lust. That's why they shipped out Andrew Bynum in order to get Dwight Howard. Jeremy Lin doesn't have that star power, but Chris Paul does and that's why the Lakers tried to trade for Paul.
Until Jeremy Lin makes those All Star teams and demonstrates that he's the best player at the league at his position, all of your wishful scenarios will NOT play out.
Anything can happen in the NBA, but the Lakers going for a guy who isn't the "best" player at his position is incredibly unlikely - at least while Kobe Bryant is still on the team.
I haven't watch a single game but watched plenty of highlights on ESPN and Youtube. It doesn't seem like Jlin is getting any foul calls when he goes up for a layup.
ReplyDeleteWith a tweaky knee, I don't think he should go into Linsanity mode until the refs start calling fouls more often.
And, nothing wrong with laying low for a few more months. He's guaranteed to play for another three years. Nothing wrong with taking the first year to develop further.
The whole team is under development. I think the first two games of the season gave everyone too high of an expectation. Playing .500 ball is pretty good for now.
Not quite sure adding Harden is a plus right now though. He seems to be more of a disruption making harder for the rest of the team to gel as his play style this year is very different than that of the rest of the team's. He was the 6th man of the year?
Excellent post.
DeleteYour post summed up virtually EVERYTHING that is being discussed here in a single message!
Amazing, Etane.
Harden has played incredibly selfishly of late -- his epic first two games inflated his ego. His selfish play is the biggest reason for the Rockets' recent struggles.
DeleteFor example, Harden constantly tries to split double teams but gets picked clean now that teams are gunning for him. Those TOs lead to easy baskets on the other end. If he simply passed the ball out to J-Lin instead, the Rockets would be 6-0 right now (all of the losses have been fairly close).
He also constantly fails to find Jeremy WIDE OPEN in transition. Even when he does pass it to him, it's always 1 or 2 seconds too late -- letting the defense get back in position. Jeremy needs to stop being Mr. Nice Guy and freeze Harden out if he ever tries any of this BS ever again.
Not sure if they would have won all 6 games.
DeleteBut I agree with your opinion on Harden. Trying too much will backfire.
He airballed
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere above people referring to stats on Houston defense rating and Jeremy Lin's defense efficiency ranking. Let me throw out OFFENSIVE
ReplyDeletePlayer Efficiency Rating: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics -- says Lin ranks 44 out of 67 PGs
http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats/_/sort/defensiveEff -- Houston indeed ranks 6th in defensive efficiency
http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats -- Houston ranks 23rd in offensive efficiency
I don't know exactly what PER measures, but according to this rating system, Lin's PER is not good at all, especially compared to starting PGs. While Houston's defensive efficiency rating is relatively high, their offensive efficiency rating is pretty low. Look at which player is rated number 1 in PER offensive rating -- Fredette. I still trust my eyes more, and my eyes say: Lin is pretty decent defender, although he does not try to stick tight when guarding, but he is not good offensively -- so far.
Note according to this PER rating, Felton is ranked 30, while Lin is ranked 44th. Lowry is ranked 7th, while Dragic is ranked 20th. I can't say I followed all other PGs, but these ranking seem to validate my "eye test", if you take out those PGs who didn't play more than 20 minutes per game.
DeleteBecause Lin isn't shooting that well because he has taken so many threes. Other stats also contribute.
DeleteIt is still too early to use PER in evaluation. Lin is absolutely in a disadvantage because he is placed in a very difficult position to succeed. Put Rondo and Paul in the Corner and make them wait for an opening. I'm pretty sure they are going to have a low PER.
PER measures a player's overall production. Everyone understands Lin's production is much lower so far this year than last. The question under dispute is why.
DeleteOther teams are playing UNSELFISH basketball not ISO HARDEN.
DeleteNo point guard will have a high PER if they rarely run the pick and roll.
Lin's Usage rate is also significantly lower than last season.
Does PER measure player's defensive efficiency also? Or it doesn't take into this element at all?
DeleteNot sure
DeleteBut offense is more accounted for sure
Hollinger rating system did not seem to have individual player's defense efficiency rating, just teams.
DeleteBelow is an explanation of PER:
Deletehttp://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&id=2850240
For me, the reason why PER for Lin is low this year is unclear: Is it because of the way Houston is using him or is it because Lin is unable to do well despite the system? Or was his PER good last year because of the system, not due to his ability? It's reasonable why people would have different opinion on this matter. If Lin's PER is relatively low at the end of 2012 season, some people will continue to say that's because Houston used Lin in a wrong way.
DeleteHarden is going to get shut down hard tonight, if he doesn't play teamball Rockets are going to lose by blowout proportions.
ReplyDeleteIf he plays teamball, Rockets have a shot at winning, they're going to need Lin at his best or as best as can be with his bad knee to overcome Heat's defense. Asik needs to make those layups, and Lin needs to not overhelp esp in 4Q, and they need to crash the boards HARD and hustle on transition like Lin always does.
Sigh. If Lin doesn't "overhelp" then the Rockets will not be playing top 5 defense anymore and they will certainly be blown out.
DeleteI've read that Lebron is ailing an ankle sprain or something. The only chance for the Rockets to Win is to run the break. They aren't scoring in the halfcourt. Also, they need to let the players outside the big 3 to shoot a lot. Hopefully, they brick their shots. There is really nothing the Rockets can do at this point.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be positive and say Rockets by 7
About the Lin to the lakers talk, I have to unwillingly agree with CARA although I hate her guts. The only way that would happen is if Nash is such a huge liability and Lin shows he is a consistent star not just a consistent starter. Also, Gasol needs to be just solid instead of his all star form. Even if that happens, Morey needs to be baited to that trade.
The best trade for Lin is probably to the Pacers. It is unlikely but it has more George Hill for Lin
Hill is a better spot-up shooter than Lin while Lin will fit perfectly to the young and up and coming Pacers. He'll have a bigman and shooting guard that does not overlap with his skillset.
But again, it is TOO early. A coaching change is likely to occur first before the trade. Do I hear Jerry Sloan?
*it has more chance than the Lakers trade.
DeleteWade is also struggling so hopefully the Rockets have a lot of breaks.
DeleteHE AIRBALLED
Delete@willydilly:
ReplyDeleteI would be curious to learn your theological beliefs. I loved your exegesis lesson!
On another issue:
ReplyDeleteBynum will miss another 5 weeks
The Rockets better stay away from this dude. The risks of paying this guy max money are too HIGH.
The Rockets are 0-3 against the West while 3-0 in the East.
ReplyDeletenow where talking,jlin is the man,whoaaa,im loving his game,heatles here we come
ReplyDeletedelfino,bang!bang!
ReplyDeleteYOU guys are too nice to JLIN. HE NEEDS TO REALIZE HE got no J.
ReplyDelete