Wow, what a game tonight by Jeremy Lin. Even with the loss, I'd say it's his best all around game of his career.
38pts
7 asts
3 rebs
2 stls
2 blks
2 tos
12-12 ftm-a
4-5 3pm-a (2 more makes with foot on line, so basically 6-7 from distance)
11-21 fg-a
Not too bad for a scrub, backup, starter only on a mediocre team, average pg, a guy who "really can't play", and whatever else all of those others have been calling him.
Oh yeah, it was against the Spurs, the #1 team in the NBA not coming off a back to back but with well rested starters. Oh, I thought JLin can't play against "elite" teams? Oh, wait, he just tied his career high. No worries, anyone can do that for just one game. He is average. He got lucky. He can't do it consistently like Harden. What are the other excuses?
After being benched and treated basically like dirt, Jeremy shoved it back in the coaches faces. This was sweet. Don't think for a minute that JLin wasn't pissed for being disrespected by them. He showed all what he is made of. For those of you who questioned JLin's manhood, you better think again. He has the heart of a lion but just holds it in. Please realize that he talks in code. He doesn't always say what he truly feels but I can read him pretty easily.
Now, it's on the Rockets coaching staff to get the ball more into JLin's hands. It's funny how Darryl Morey and Les Alexander seem to know more about basketball then McHale or Sampson. You know that the coaches didn't have much faith in him if you don't even play him in the 4th quarter of a winnable game (last game against Dallas). They were probably shocked with what they saw tonight, while Morey and Les were thinking, I told you so.
Off course this is just one game, but of course this is just the infancy of his young point guard career too. I don't think I've ever heard of any other young 24 old who is already at their ceiling. This is just the beginning folks. We all saw it with our own eyes. They let him go and he set himself free tonight. There is no holding him back now.
Also, we need to give a shout out to Doc Scheppler who has taken a lot of flack during the slump. That stroke is looking sweet! 12-12 from the line 6-7 virtually from three….
Highlights:
http://www.nba.com/video/games/rockets/2012/12/10/0021200301-sas-hou-play4.nba
Post game:
Go Jeremy! Thank God.
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord for the glory!
ReplyDeleteJeremy ALWAYS comes back stronger than ever.
It really is just a matter of how he's being used in the system, since Jeremy is such a coach-abiding player. When he's given the green light to run free? We're watching the Jeremy that we can't be more familiar with: iron-minded gutty performance against all odds.
May the coach learn from the lesson and let this game be the turning point of THEIR MINDS!
I don't see how they can revert back to their old crappy game plan after seeing this..!
Delete"We're watching the Jeremy that we can't be more familiar with: iron-minded gutty performance against all odds."
- Never doubted him! :)
"Never doubted him! :)"
DeleteThat's right, via, not for a split second!
"...revert back to their old crappy game plan..."
I've always thought Houston's O is suited for a well-balanced team like the 2004 Detroit or even the Lakers this year instead of this current roster. The times when Harden went for 30+ points were at the cost of the so-called "fluidity" of the offense that Jeremy often referred to. That's why I said Jeremy is a coach-abiding player and that's why he looked so hesitant to attack previously.
@Hans
Delete"Houston's O is suited for a well-balanced team like the 2004 Detroit"
I've had similar thoughts myself.
Links to the full game? Missed this one unfortunately :(
ReplyDeleteYeah I want to see the whole game too =)
Deletedownload
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletebreakout game without harden. i think we all know it's the coaches that's holding back lin. will the coaches allow lin to be the play maker or will they make lin pass it to harden while lin retreats to the three point line?
ReplyDeleteMake Lin pass it to Harden while Lin retreats to the 3pt line, because TD is a "good enough" PG.
DeleteHarden - 80m
Lin - 25m
They will always go with Harden.
Personally I want to see more of this improved shooting and less of the "I-almost-landed-on-my-knee-block" or the ankle twister. I don't mind the drives but if he can continue shooting off the dribble mid/long range as well as he's done today, he can balance his attacks and be better off.
DeleteWhy? Want his career to last. He took a huge beating today if y'all didn't notice, he can't do this every game or onto the injured list he goes.
@Kenoshi
DeleteI think these are great points. Earlier in the season, when Lin stopped doing his drive into the lane, bounce of the big and shoot on the recoil plays(he wasn't getting calls), I was happy because I figured he's in it for the long haul and needs to save his body, so to speak.
I'm beginning to wonder, however, if he is not meant to have a long career. We've seen how he's been playing controlled. And last night, as in NY, we've seen what happens when he plays with abandon. Recall that one block he attempted, he was *UP THERE* (that was the most hang time I've ever seen from him). He subsequently took the hard fall and it took him awhile to get back to the play. Linsanity is played all out and all heart. Maybe I'm wrong, but to me this is not sustainable (over years, that is).
The title of this blog entry is "Jeremy Set Free". Unleashed is more like it.
If I had to choose between a long but mediocre career and a short but spectacular career, I would choose the latter. Yes, there is greater risk of injury, but life is short and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. It is the way we should live for God as well. Thank you Jeremy for your gutty performance last night. My 10 year old son and I were screaming at the computer each time you made a basket. Thank you for inspiring my son and millions of children around the world to strive for their dreams.
DeleteLin seems to play better without a "superstar". Last year it was without Amare Stoudemire & Carmelo Anthony, this year it's Harden. How do you explain it or do you think its just coincidence?
DeleteJeremy thrives when he is the underdog and not expected to win. He did that against Mater Dei when he was at Palo Alto, he did that against UConn when he was at Harvard, he did it last year when Carmelo was out and he did it again last night. Jeremy now needs to adjust his thinking to believe he is an elite point guard and perform on a high level all the time, not only when he isn't expected to win. I believe he will get there.
DeleteIt agree with what JLinfan#1 said. But wait, there is more (insert meme here)
ReplyDeleteWill Lin revert back and let coaches dictates his game again?
any other backup PG ever get to 38 twice? just curious.
ReplyDeleteI saw a stat that said there are only 5 players in NBA history with a stat-line like tonight's. All of those players have been league MVPs or NBA Final's MVPs. Wow. Jlin is impressive.
ReplyDeleteOf Jeremy Lin and The Return of 'The Look'
ReplyDeleteThanks via. You're one of the best on this site. All the links to video's and articles, appreciate them a lot and please keep them coming.
Deleteoh glad to help! :)
DeleteA long post I wrote got deleted (by the system, not JLinFan!).
ReplyDeleteSo I'll just say that Jeremy showed the idiotic coaches and haters what he's capable of when he's actually ALLOWED TO BE THE POINT GUARD.
The only reason the Rockets lost was McHale's idiocy -- waiting too long to put Jeremy back in, which erased a 7pt lead. McHale probably wanted to "prove" that the team didn't need him to win. Too bad, Senor McFail! You lost yet another game because of your stubborn belief that J-Lin is a fluke.
I've done a total 180 on McHale. I used to defend him and point out his past praise for J-Lin. No longer. He's shown his true colors this season, and I can't wait to see his sorry ass canned ASAP.
Chris Finch is supposedly a great coach, who did well with Team Great Britain, and works closely with Jeremy in practice like Kenny Atkinson did in NY. Let him take the reins, Morey.
Ivy-educated Dave Blatt, who coached Team Russia to a medal, would also be a great head coach for Houston, IMO. He currently coaches a top Euro team, Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
DeleteHonestly JLin needed the rest.
DeleteHe was all but walking during some drives in OT.
Defense lost the game, and Lin can't do it alone. As much as he should be allowed to make mistakes, so should others. Allowing 120pts in regulation is not going to win you games consistently.
They're a young team, and remember they're playing with an injured Parsons today as well. They showed up offensively, but defense was extremely weak. A few more stops in reg and this game would have been over.
No, he didn't need the rest. He was on fire and played only 18 minutes last game. Besides, Jeremy excels when "tired." He was a leading 4th quarter player last year. Only CP3 was better in terms of PER.
DeleteIn any case, Jeremy clearly did not THAT much rest. In fact, he looked a little rusty once they finally put him back in. The muscles stiffen when you sit too long.
Chris Finch -> an advocate of Moneyball
DeleteThe Rockets job is perhaps the most unique in all of the league, as the front-office team, led by general manager Daryl Morey, analyzes its coaches and how it uses particular lineups and players to a degree that requires chemistry between the two sides. That reality was at the root of Adelman's departure, as there was clearly not enough trust between management and the coaching staff to operate in such a way.
Adelman also resisted urgings to make additions to his coaching staff, with one in particular expected to be that of D-League coach Chris Finch of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He is seen by the Rockets as a rising star in the coaching ranks, and numerous reports indicated he will be added to McHale's staff with the plan for him to possibly take over as head coach at the end of McHale's term.
Calling Kevin "Mcfail" is so ridiculously disrespectful. I'm not saying you can't call him out for making a mistake. I'm not saying that you can't or that you shouldn't criticize. But dude, stop with the disparaging name calling. Have some respect.
DeleteUnoriginal? Yes. Unfunny? Probably. But disrespectful? Come on. It's just a silly joke nickname. Besides, what has he done as a coach to deserve respect?
Delete"So ridiculously disrespectful" is how I would describe McHale's treatment of Lin. Benching your starting PG over and over again (even when he's playing well) is incredibly disrespectful.
zxcvb, I'd take David Blatt over ANY coach other than Phil Jackson for Jeremy Lin!
DeleteDavid Blatt is a true coaching legend. He wins and wins. Blatt is a coach that I think can transition seamlessly into the NBA.
The reason David Blatt wins is because he tailors his gameplans to the players, not the other way around. He would take a guy like Jeremy Lin and elevate his game.
Nothing against McHale who I still think is a GOOD coach for Jeremy Lin right now. While Jeremy Lin has been improving in his overall game, I think a coach like David Blatt could do that even more.
I know NOTHING about Chris Finch other than he's a young D league coach that Daryl Morey and Les Alexander really like.
DeleteBut if Chris Finch is doing the "Atkinson" with Lin, that's gotta be a good thing.
I have no idea whether Chris Finch would be a good coach for Lin or not. At least he probably knows Lin's game pretty well, I suppose.
Actually McHale tried to get Lin back in but Lin was a split second late at the scorer's table. It was painful to watch as the lead slipped away while he was waiting to check in. McHale eventually had to call a 30 second time out so Jeremy could check in. Would they have been able to maintain the lead if Lin was able to check in? I think so.
DeletePeople are saying Lin cannot play on a good team because he only flourishess when he is the number 1 man. Is it coincidence that he plays better without Harden, Amare or carmelo?
DeleteEven though I'm very happy with tonight's performance I still expect the struggle to be back once Harden comeback on the floor due to the coaching staff inept to put the right pieces at the right place.
ReplyDeleteJeremy is set free last game, but still not fully set free from the coaching staff stupidity yet
Agreed.
DeleteUnfortunately, despite Jeremy's brilliance tonight (and several other nights this season), I have ZERO confidence in McHale and Sampson. They may very well turn Jeremy into Derek Fisher once Harden comes back.
These coaches are truly that stupid. You can tell by how many close losses the Rockets have had this season. They get outcoached every single night, no matter who they face.
Both McHale and Sampson are still inexperienced when it comes to coaching NBA team yet blaming their player for being young and inexperienced. Pathetic
DeleteAmazing... You guys still complain after a game like this.
DeleteSo this is how it *seems* to often go here:
Lin does great: complain, complain, complain
Lin does poorly: complain, complain, complain
Enough is enough.
@Bamboo if you think it as moaning complain then so be it. But for me it is more like discussing that there is still problems and things that need to be worked on.
DeletePlease don't take my comments as just a complain. I already said that I'm very happy Lin's performance even though Lin himself is not.
If you only want to see "happy things" go to your own "happy place" instead of being upset about our discussion
Come on. McHale and/or Sampson make lousy calls game after game, which is why Houston has lost every close game bar the Lakers encounter. And that last one was because nobody gets outcoached by D'Antoni without his star PG.
DeleteEither the Rockets' coaches are incompetent boobs or they're:
1) trying to tank the season away
2) making Lin look bad while doing so because he'd made them look bad first with Linsanity in NY.
@Fan like I previously said. Both are still inexperience coaching NBA level yet they put the blame on almost entirely on the players almost all the time.
DeleteNot upset about your discussion, but giving my take. And that's what we're all doing here, right?
DeleteWe should be celebrating Lin's success not bitching on his coaches and teammates after a good game, I feel. It's not very classy at all.
DeleteWhat success? The Rockets lost! Yet another lead squandered in consecutive games. Thanks mainly to poor coaching. This is not a playoffs team if the coaching doesn't improve markedly...and soon. When will Lin ever get to play past the regular season?
DeleteDon't worry, FanForLife.
DeleteLin would've played in the playoffs last season had the bounty hunting not knocked him out.
Lin will easily make the playoffs, if not this season then the next. He's not going to be like Kevin Love who basically plays by himself, cares only about himself, loses by himself, and gets shut out of the playoffs by himself.
It may take a few personnel changes and Lin being "Coach Killa" for that to happen, or not.
I am very happy with Lin's performance. I am very happy that he almost set a new CAREER HIGH. But at the end of the day, Lin himself is all about winning. Did you see him smiling and acting all happy after shooting lights out in the post game interview? NO. Lin himself is not celebrating.
DeleteThe Coach himself is not setting the right example by taking shot at Lin's decision at the end of regulation instead of looking at themselves in the mirror and see their our own shortcomings. THAT wiffle, is not classy at all
nuff said here
I was happy with Lin's performance BEFORE this game.
DeleteEven though Lin's scoring and thus role have been inconsistent, his play in all other aspects of the game have been SUPERB.
Today Lin hit his shots, so he got the ball more. EXCELLENT.
Let's hope Lin continues.
Lin highlight full :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81lx1EaoVk0&list=PLoDrtT-bVm_SbP76HKUFn5vCi4UDiisAQ&index=21
ReplyDeleteKEVIN MCHALE
ReplyDelete(On Jeremy Lin) “Yeah, I mean he played well. He did a really nice job out there. I liked him at the end of the game. I wanted him to center the ball a little more and use the pick. He kind of waved off big O and was going to go one-four flat and we didn't get a shot. I was kind of hoping Jeremy was going to use the pick. I was going to call him up and he waved him off… But hey, he played fantastic and had a great game.”
Someone is butthurt being waived by Lin instead of looking at himself
Lin is an alpha - he needs to play with swag. Thats why people love him - not just because he is an awesome PG - also because he takes on his man. He can deliver a spectacular show.
DeleteTo criticise him after hes played so well really makes me doubt McFail is the right coach for the team. Many people here and on CF have criticised the coaches for benching Lin in 4th when they had a nine point lead... why doesnt he talk about that instead?
He took a shot at Lin, in public yet again. If he really wanted Asik to set screen for Lin the he should have called a timeout(If I'm not mistaken Rockets still have a timeout CMIMW) draw a good play that he wants and I'm sure Lin will execute it given in the right condition.
DeleteFrom my observation, Lin waived off Asik and McHale call for screen because Asik coming in to screen too slow. Jeremy foreseen and recognized he will ended up getting trapped thus he waived him off.
I wish the current coaching staff have the same insight and ability to read the game at least half of the Spurs coaching staff
KHuang is right. Jeremy is a coach killer. He's going to take two more down soon.
DeleteCOACH KILLA!!!
DeleteDon't mess with the Zohan (I mean Lin)!
As Lin goes, so do the Rockets. Coaches that mess with Lin have historically fired themselves.
What did McHale say about Harden when Harden got stripped by Batum at the end of regulation during the OT loss to Portland?
Deleteyup understatement of the year. If i didn't know he's the rocket's coach i would call him a hater.
DeleteGuys, listen to the entire post game interview. McHale spoke highly of Lin. He was more concerned with the mental lapses on team defense. Jeremy's play last night will force the coaches to design a system around Harden and Lin. McHale even gave hints at how he might do that with Harden being a lefty and Lin being a righty. Knowing that Lin can score and not just pass gives the coache more options. Hopefully it will spill over and allow Harden to play more agressive defense knowing that if he get's into foul trouble, Lin can carry the offensive load. This is a great sign for the team.
DeleteAgreed Smoovies.
DeleteI don't know how this simple statement gets blown out of proportion. Fact is Lin blew it on this play and McHale is just telling it like it is. Lin went for the now famous Raptors close and denied by Green to the point he didn't even get the shot off.
No he isn't saying Lin lost them the game, we all know defense lost the game for Rox, just he wished that play was executed differently.
Mchale spoke his mind. Good, but you cant pinpoint one player and put a blame on him in the media. That's stuff belongs in the locker. Maybe that's why he has so many issues with his point guards and players want to leave the team. If you think about it, that's uncalled for. Where was the pick for jeremy to win the game before this game? Now you want him to use the pick? Jeremy is sticking it to the Mchale. Hell, no, I'm not gonna use it. Where was it before? I'm just gonna do things my way. You're gonna bench me anyways. I'm going out blazing.
DeleteRic Bucher: For those who didn't believe my answer to what's wrong with Jeremy Lin [James Harden], I offer you Monday night's OT loss to SA
ReplyDeleteGood teams have more than one strong scorer. James Harden is not what's wrong with Jeremy Lin. Please.
DeleteIt most definitely is what's wrong with Jeremy. Jeremy IS a point guard. period. He has lead every team since the 3rd grade as a point guard. He is used to having the ball in his hands to make the right decisions for the team, to create shots for teammates, and to create shots for himself. The way Harden scores -- ball dominance -- completely runs counter to jlins game -- also ball -- dominance but JLIN is a far better passer than harden and far better at making simple basketball plays. Harden is exactly what OKC had him tabbed as ... a 6th man, a deadly assassin, a true scoring machine. But he's not the type of guy to run a team ... he doesnt have that feel at all. Running a team is actually pulling him from what he does best... SCORE. The way its set up right now... Harden is LIN's kryptonite. And running the team is Harden's kryptonite. Also, just some other points Harden is an awful defender both one v one and as a team defender. LIN is far superior to HARDEN defensively. And, LIN, a smart defender, no doubt hates playing with a lousy and lazy defender like Harden. LIN is also far superior at leading a fastbreak. Yes, Harden can go coast to coast but nobody benefits ... he rarely makes up court kicks that result in EASY buckets...
DeleteI doubt the Rockets will change their scheme because the coaches have no real clue about how to tap into JLIN, but they could make life a lot better for JLIN if the would simply outlet the ball to him off the defensive glass and tell Harden and Parsons and others to SPRINT up the damn floor. This would give LIN the tiller and more ball touches, give him the ball in transition (his number one strength), and result in easy buckets for him and his teammates. No reason Harden can't get the ball in transition and do good work or catch and shoot off JLIN penetration. if nothing there, go early pick and roll with LIN or let LIN simply attack ... nothing there then go to Harden.
Putting JLIN in the corner and not letting him get outlet
passes is like castrating him...
I've said this before, I'll say it again. JLIN in an ALPHA... but a different kind. He's an ALPHA that needs the coach to recognize it and put him in charge. He doesn't have the street in him... He doesn't tick that way. He's been coached by some great coaches all his life... Coaches that made him the Alpha and put the ball in his hands... and, when put in this position he has rarely disappointed. (Even Tommy Amaker didn't quite do this... having LIN play off guard/small forward -- but that might have been a team personnel thing) ... Bottom LIN is put the ball in his damn hands at the correct times and he will shine... How many times has he grabbed a board this year and done something beautiful in transition to get a teammate an easy bucket!!! Why do they not pair JLIN with a Greg Smith for at least a couple minutes a quarter ... guaranteed one easy bucket every quarter on an upcourt kick from JLIN...
I could go on and on... Harden IS the problem. And, the coaches need to get a CLUE. This game proves it.
More likely the boneheaded coaches than Harden.
DeleteIt's not exactly Rocket science getting Harden to play with Lin. Here, lemme give it a shot:
"James, you're the SG, play like one and instead of doubling as a PG, try putting up some defense as well."
Problem solved, no?
hahaha. i like that. but, sadly, probably too basic for the boneheads and their $80 million dollar man. Unfortunately, these idiots have decided that James Harden is a better player than Jeremy Lin ... when its just not the case. this league is sooooooo overrated as far as player evaluation goes... as well as the individual basketball IQ's of many of these so called "pros"(defense in particular)
DeleteI'd say Harden is clearly the more versatile player. We know Harden can play well as the second or third option next to a dominant ball-handler in Westbrook - we have learnt unfortunately that Lin doesn't quite have this "nuance" quite yet. Very few people will say Lin is a better player than Harden right now, but as some people have been saying, just because Harden is the better player doesn't mean that you should totally ignore Lin's abilities. Basically what FanForLife said. :)
DeleteAlso, 10/10 it's really unnecessary to say Lin hates this player or that player. Unless you are Lin's BFF you have no idea who Lin likes or dislikes.
Harden was the 6th man of OKC. Did he usually play with Durrant, Westbrook or the bench?
DeleteHis main minutes were with Durant and Westbrook.
DeleteFor your info, you can find this info very easily here:
Deletehttp://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01/lineups/2012/
That's Harden's line-up minutes in 2011-2012 in OKC
Plus, I watched a fair bit of OKC during the Playoffs :)
DeleteSee, here's the problem.
DeleteWhen Lin's on the court, there should be absolutely no need for Harden to play PG. Bear in mind he averages 40+ mpg, so when he takes on the bulk of the team's scoring responsibility as well as a chunk of Lin's role as facilitator, he has the excuse of not having to expend any depleted energy on defence.
So this is what happens when the Rockets play a strong team:
The good - Harden scores a lot of baskets.
The bad - Harden nullifies Lin's game AND lets the opposing SG blow by him at will, hence allowing his (Harden's) own scoring efforts to be nullified.
Final result: Rockets lose.
Houston's coaches are letting Harden play like he did with Westbrook - and we could write a whole treatise on why Lin is no Westbrook. This can't be emphasized enough - McHale is a bloody amateur.
@wiffle
DeleteNot sure I'd agree that Harden is the more "versatile" player.
He's a better jump shooter I'll give you that. But that's about all he has over Jeremy.
Everything Harden does Jeremy can do just as well or better aside from jump shooting.
Also Harden is a complete ZERO on the defensive end, that alone is a giant hole and something much harder to improve compared to shooting.
J-Lin has pretty much always been the best player on his team - until he got to the NBA. When he is looked to as the go-to scoring option/creator, he rises to the occasion. Always. When he had to defer to Melo or Harden, it's not a comfortable situation for him. He's not a spot-up shooter. The Rockets will still use Harden to facilitate the offense, but it would be nice if McHale let Lin stay in the game when Harden takes a breather. Let Lin create during those moments, rather than put Douglas in. Then, once he shows his abilities and gains more confidence, maybe McHale will let Lin take a lead role in facilitating the offense.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, Lin's night made mine. Very happy for him.
Did you guys see Tony Parker's comments on Lin (before the game):
ReplyDelete“His shot will come,” Parker said. “Me too. I couldn’t hit a shot at the beginning of my career. I was still able to go to the basket. His shot will improve. It will help, definitely, his game. Definitely. When I start making the outside jumper on a consistent basis, that’s when I was more consistent with my performance.”
“It’s his first full year,” Parker said. “There is a lot of attention on him. I think you have to be patient with his growth. When I first came into the league, I was a little raw. I was very aggressive. At the same time, I had to learn the point guard position and when to score, when to pass and try to find that happy middle, find the balance. I think Jeremy Lin is at that point.
“He’s trying to find his position on the team. And he needs to fit with another guy who is very aggressive with James Harden. I had to do the same thing when I had Manu Ginobili being super aggressive. You have to find your spots. He will.”
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/12/tony-parker-sees-similarites-with-lin-at-same-stage-of-career/
Yes I saw it. It was good a really good comment which I also think as Lin at least earned the respect in a good way some of the right players in the NBA
DeleteThat was great. Not just complimentary but very intelligent. Tony Parker is indeed a great PG...now if he would just stop hanging out with Chris Brown!
Deleteand nailing his teammates' wives behind their backs.
DeleteIt was nice of him but I guess he never thought Lin would score 38 on him :)
DeleteDid you guys notice that Douglas was guarding Parker when both Lin and Douglas were in together? I think this allowed Jeremy to have more energy on the offensive end rather than expend as much energy chasing Parker around on defense. Douglas played well last night. I commented on yesterday's pre-game thread that Jeremy thrives when he is the underdog. Yesterday he proved it!
DeleteI was impressed by Parker that he said this BEFORE the game; shows that other players think Lin can be a good player. I am convinced if Lin handles the ball more and can maintain decent level of shooting, he has the game to score 20 points and 8 assists per game, even at his current level. If he can improve further, he has the potential to be an Allstar. I just hope he just doesn't go back to the shell again, or is forced to by the Rockets coaches.
DeleteThe spurs are a classy organization. I saw Duncan help Lin up after he fouled him. They play beautiful team basketball.
DeleteYou have to love that after a game like tonight his stats improve dramatically. Be harder to diss him as his stats climb.
ReplyDeleteGreat post from torocan on crotch fans in response to someone saying "One good game means nothing":
ReplyDelete---------------------------------------------
38 and 7 is pretty darn far from a "good game". It's by any definition a Spectacular game.
And interestingly enough, it's the 2nd game in his Very short career where he's put up 38 and 7... first against the Lakers, now against the Spurs. This is also after he's supposedly been "scouted" and is the primary focus of the Defense with Harden injured.
I don't think you understand exactly how DIFFICULT it is to put up 38 points and 7 assists in a game in the NBA, let alone TWICE.
How many other Guards in the NBA since 1980-81 have put up 38 and 7 at the age of 24 or younger while playing similar minutes? Let alone TWICE?
A grand total of 11 Guards aside from Jeremy Lin since 1980-81, between the ages of 18 and 24, playing 45 or fewer minutes (Lin played 42 minutes in this game, 39 minutes in the Lakers game), have put up 38 and 7 or better TWICE.
Here's the list... (link)
Gilbert Arenas
Kobe Bryant
Ricky Davis
Allen Iverson
Kevin Johnson
Michael Jordan
Stephon Marbury
Chris Paul
Derrick Rose
Dwyane Wade
Russell Westbrook
In fact, even if you expand that list to players that have put up 38 points and 7 assists ONCE in their careers between the ages of 18 and 24, that TOTAL list is still only 28 players. 28 players in 31 years. Plus Jeremy Lin.
And if you're worried that I'm cherry picking stats, if you expand that to 38 points and 5 assists instead of 7, you STILL only get 14 players since 1980-81 to have done that TWICE between the ages of 18 and 24.
In fact, if you further reduce the bar to 35 points and 5 assists, you only yield ONE additional player for a total of 15 players since 1980-81 aside from Jeremy Lin.
Of guards that have put up 38 points and 7 assists against the Spurs, since 1980-81 there have been only 3 players. Rose, Jordan and Marbury.
AND if you expanded it to ALL positions, the total is only 5 players. Rose, Jordan, Marbury, Malone and Lebron James.
Now, the sample size is small. There's no telling how good Lin will be in the end. However, it's a far cry from "good" when you put up those kinds of numbers in a game, let alone MORE than one game.
And in my humble opinion, players with "average" potential just don't put up games like that, especially TWICE in less than a year, in his 45th start, and 84th career game.
How good will Lin be? No freaking idea. However, I'd bet dollars to donuts when all is said and done, he won't be "average".
--------------------------
Torocan said it best. I'll take that bet too with everything I have in my life as the wager
DeleteAwesome reference,
Deletethanks Ach
Great reference. I've said before... that there are probably many NBA players who have had solid careers and never scored as much as 38 points in their ENTIRE career. If an NBA players scores this much in a single game, by definition, it isn't a fluke. The sheer amount of skill you need to accomplish this defines you as a player, at least on some level.
DeleteYes indeed and this performance was against arguably the best team in the league. Lin was magnificent and played with his instincts on this one. So darn proud of him!!
DeleteTorocan is a cool guy :)
DeleteFunniest post was by PhiSlammaJamma on CF:
Delete"It's interesting that Jeremy Lin plays better with a bunch of clowns than he does with All Stars. And even more amazing is that he doesn't just put up big numbers, he carries his team to wins agains quality opponents. Bizarre."
Yah I read up on clutch fans. Torocan is class. He basically trashes the haters with his analysis.
DeleteI actually am lukewarm on torocan. He is right to praise Lin's performance last night and to back it up with stats.
DeleteBut too often, he has cherry picked stats and done logic gymnastics to try to excuse Lin's poor performances this season. I'd prefer that someone who throws around stats so much be objective, not biased either way, neither for nor against Lin. That way, Lin's performances can objectively stand on their own, whether good or bad. Torocan is too biased in favor of Lin to take his opinion seriously 100% of the time. But on a night like last night, sure, torocan is spot-on and 100% justified in his stat-supported praise of Lin.
@achon actually it is really hard to darn right impossible not to be biased when it comes this player we love(or hate) and known as Jeremy Lin
DeleteEspecially because we as fan are all witness, we know well what he is capable of and felt connected to him.
Better to be biased FOR Lin than AGAINST Lin, isn't it ach?
DeleteActually, stats geeks are usually biased for Lin. It's nothing personal to Lin, but guys like Lin because his numbers look GOOD.
"Better to be biased FOR Lin than AGAINST Lin?" False dichotomy. Better to be as objective as possible, and judge Lin by the same standards used to judge any other player. When he plays poorly, say so. When he plays well, say so. That's the only way to accurately assess his game. If he plays well, any objective observer will be able to tell.
DeleteNo sugar coating with cherry picked stats. Biased folk can manipulate and massage stats to make Lin look better than he is (Lin fanboys) or worse than he is (Lin haters).
"Lies, damned lies, and statistics" - Mark Twain.
Others might be interested in doing those things, but not me. I'm interested in seeing the objective unbiased truth of how he is playing, regardless of how good or bad it makes you feel. That's science. I much prefer truth seeking rather than being either a fanboy or a hater, but that's just me.
Lin is objectively good when he plays well, like last night.
Lin is objectively average at best when he doesn't play well, like most of this season.
Here's hoping that his outstanding game last night is the start of a long streak of great games from him. He is amazing and thrilling to watch when he OBJECTIVELY plays well.
If Lin is "objectively average" by your subjective opinion, I'll live with that.
DeleteFor the amount of money being paid Lin, he's produced accordingly all season long.
Your complaining about Lin is like opening up a Happy Meal and whining that there's prime rib inside instead of filet mignon, ach!!!
@achon you have a point there. But I'm more interested what caused Lin having bad games. Theres too many speculation and whatnot being thrown everywhere including myself putting fingers at coaching staff weird antics.
DeleteDeep down I just wanted honesty, I want the truth what really actually happened behind it all
Had to repost from yesterday to vent. Thanks Archon for the list.
Delete--------------------
Please kindly remind me the list of scrub players that scored 38 points or more against the Lakers and the D-machine Spurs in the last decade. Please don't disappoint me, I am expecting a long long list of names I have never heard of. By the way, if the name does not sound something like Jeremy Smith, the high scoring games must be flukes, pure luck, staged performance, or mistaken exhibition games. This has got to be a well orchestrated conspiracy at the highest level in the NBA, and among the elite professional players, to let some luckily chosen scrubs to score 38 points a game, and not only once.
It all makes sense. I am finally at peace. I think I can better enjoy WWF now.
@achon
DeleteThanks for the re-post. That was excellent.
Alright, no need to speculate about Jeremy's knee or whether he's "100%" anymore.
ReplyDeleteAnd finally, I can click "Jeremy Lin" on the All-Star ballot and submit it without having to apologize.
I hope his knee is 100% but I wouldn't be surprised if it still wasn't quite there yet.
Delete@Andy
Delete"And finally, I can click "Jeremy Lin" on the All-Star ballot"
If he even sort of keeps this up, it won't even be an issue.
Since 1985 (as far back as basketball-reference.com's database goes), the only NBA players who have had at least 38 pts, 7 ast, 3 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk, and no more than 2 to's are:
ReplyDeleteMichael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Dwyane Wade
Lebron James
Clyde Drexler
David Robinson
Tracy McGrady
Jeremy Lin
You can call it cherry picking stats if you want, but how come you don't see some other random streaky players on the list?
I also don't see any point guard on that list. I expected Chris Paul on the list.
DeleteI mean point guard outside JLin.
DeleteNot sure but I guess what makes it very unusual is the 2 blocks. Not many PG shotblockers out there.
DeleteCos PGs are usually too darned short to block anything above the rim. Which should put Lin's elevation and athleticism beyond question. Not that that's gonna happen anytime soon.
DeleteIt's funny how Jeremy's name looks like a typo on that list. :)
DeleteHee hee, Phil!
DeleteJeremy Lin, Mr Moneyball, is doing those historic things again.
He hasn't even started 82 games and look at all the legendary things he's done. It's like a Hall of Fame resume crammed into half a season of games (hint hint)!
Anyways, back to the game. I couldn't believe that Jeremy Lin jumped up and blocked TIM DUNCAN!!!
I cannot think of any PG, not even Wall or Westbrook, that can make that kind of athletic play. Plays like those are why I'm a rabid Lin fan.
Watching a Lin game when he's on is like watching ESPN Top Ten without having to put up with the commentators talk about themselves instead of sports!
Lin is simply exciting to watch. He is a true basketball artist. Give him freedom, he will perform above all expectations. This is what basketball should be. It's truly rewarding to be a Lin fan.
Delete"I cannot think of any PG, not even Wall or Westbrook, that can make that kind of athletic play."
DeleteKHuang = blind?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4MHoe66g0Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_J93tDYtnA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shm2ZODSVEo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSs8qIDxGRU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4YD_sDh2Zo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz73-GVJ7Uc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NUMmbKyfdI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMlPnLtoSpQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGtOqGjlZr8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkwnUyEehco
Ok, I yield.
DeleteBut I'm not blind.
Not only am I not blind, I'm not perfect either.
DeleteWhy does ach have to flame people for making HONEST MISTAKES?
It's not as if he has ever been wrong either (i.e. saying that Goran Dragic was significantly more athletic than Jeremy Lin).
Great, now you're putting words in my mouth. Stay classy, KHuang.
DeleteI hate to be the pessimist, but I have the feeling that this game is not going to change the Rockets' coaching/offense much. When Harden comes back, they'll run the offense through Harden again, Lin will camp out in the corner again.
ReplyDeleteUtter waste of resources. It'd be like making RG3 a pocket dink-and-dunk QB instead of just letting his natural ability and instincts create havoc all over the field.
I understand your feeling but I still believe momentum have started to shift to Lin. I believe there is still much great things to come from Jeremy Lin. Of course it will not be easy, there will be many obstacle from inside and out along the way, it also may not be as fast as we want it to be.
DeleteBut have faith that Lin will surprise you again in a good way
Also since now Lin have shown what he capable of AS A ROCKETS, there will be more pressure for the coaching staff to use him more often. The Rockets teammates should also/must rallied behind Lin to victory.
DeleteThere's absolutely nothing wrong with running an offence through your best player. I think most people will be fine with Harden getting the majority of the shots in the Rockets. However, it is not necessary for Harden to also play point guard that often, or play that many minutes. I think it'll be good in the long run that Lin learns to share ball-handling duties and gain more off-the-ball skills. After all, that's basically Parker/Ginobili (Ginobili being a damned good playmeaker for an SG himself).
DeleteBut no more hiding in a corner though for Lin, please. Had quite enough of that already.
Is it Jeremy's choice or the coaching staff's instruction for him to camp at the corner? I'm more inclined to think it's the game plans of the Rox.
Deleteand I am also not sure how do we define "the best player"?
DeleteExperience, statistics, eye test... It is usually subjective, of course.
DeleteWhen I say Lin hiding in a corner I meant the plays being drawn up that involve him. I am not implying that Lin is hiding out of choice.
wifflewiffle, ok, i'm with you.
DeleteFun facts time.
ReplyDeleteJeremy Lin has helped or at least play part for 2 supposedly.. offensively.. challenged Center (Tyson Chandler and Omer Asik) to have 20+ points CAREER high
totally agree with you.offensively challenged
Delete@Rikki M
DeleteTyson Chandler has no offensive repertoire. That is not the same thing as being offensively challenged. As the owner of the highest true shooting percentage in history, I think it's pretty safe to say his offense is fine.
Omer, on the other hand, is indeed offensively challenged. For the love of God, please just dunk the ball. Every.Time.
@Now I guess you're right about it. But I think the right word is actually "limited offensively". Mainly dunks, easy lay up around/under the rim, put backs, and alley oops but does them all very well. Also Tyson able to pick and actually do a good roll to the basket which I think his strongest point. I hope Asik can at least do what Tyson does faster
DeleteAccording to basketball reference, Lin had a career high "game score (GmSc)" of 34.5 (link)
ReplyDeleteThis surpassed his previous high game score of 28.0 set against the Lakers last season (link)
For comparison, here are some players' season high game scores so far this season:
DeleteLebron: 31.4 (link)
Durant: 34.0 (link)
Varejao: 38.8 (link)
Kobe: 28.4 (link)
Noah: 36.4 (link)
Mayo: 31.9 (link)
Please note, this is NOT to suggest that Lin is playing as well as these guys overall, as these guys have had better seasons than Lin due to sustained consistency. Rather, this is just to further illustrate that Lin played an outstanding game last night.
A win would have been great, but once again, I don't give a rat's ass about the Rockets as much as I want to see Lin play well. And play well he did. :D
According to basketball reference, Lin had a career high "game score (GmSc)" of 34.5 (link)
DeleteThis surpassed his previous high game score of 28.0 set against the Lakers last season (link)
------------------------------------------
According to ESPN's player rating system, Lin had the 10th best individual game overall in the NBA this season with a 62.2 rating:
http://espn.go.com/nba/gameleaders
As an aside, Houston's own James Harden has the 4th, 5th, and 6th best games of the season according to ESPN's player rating with scores of 70.1 (@ Det), 66.2 (vs Dal), and 64.5 (@ Atl), respectively.
@achondroplasiaphobia
DeleteNice insights above.
re: "this is NOT to suggest that Lin is playing as well as these guys overall"
Duly noted, I agree the take away point isn't that Lin is having a great season (because he's not) but that to be even capable of this kind of production shows that last season was not a fluke. The greatness is still there.
re: Rockets having 4 of the top 10 individual performances thus far.
Individual numbers like these are great, but they're pointless without the W. Maybe last night was an exception, I suppose, because there is a bigger picture at play.
Lin, Harden, Asik, Parsons, Patterson, Morris, Delfino, even Douglas and Smith, have all at some point or another in these first 20 games shown that they can be brilliant. While you cannot discount the disrupting effect personal circumstances have had on our coaching staff, it really is up to them now to manage their chess pieces.
@achon.
DeleteI don't understand you. You totally throw the hundred year science of statistical analysis under the bus. Then, you bring a bunch of statistics around. I'm not sure what game score is an indicator of, but it could certainly be skewed according to your logic.
I agree with you that statistical analysis can be biased in particular when sample size is small. However, to say that you disagree with all statistics and then draw upon them when you choose is hypocritical.
@jlinisasuperheroDecember I'm not throwing statistical analysis under the bus. I'm throwing "obvious misuse and cherry picking of statistics to support a blatant bias" under the bus. When Lin played poorly for most of this season, people pulled out all kinds of obscure stats to try to make themselves feel better and to try to convince others that Lin wasn't really playing poorly, when it was obvious he was. I call it the Lin propaganda brigade. It's really silly. If he actually plays well, like he has in a few games this season including last night, there's no need to contort and distort your standards to try to convince yourself that he's not playing poorly. The people that do so are being intellectually dishonest to make themselves feel better and trying to save face. If that's what floats your boat, fine, but I prefer the cold hard truth. The thing about the cold hard truth is that when he does play well, like he did last night, then his performance will pass the muster of even the most scrutinizing eye. That's what I want to see, Lin performing and acing all his tests, clearing all his hurdles, not playing poorly and having his fanboys make endless excuses for him, which is pathetic and sad.
DeleteNO.
DeleteWhat's pathetic and sad is a TROLL like ach flaming Lin and Lin's fans on a Lin fansite.
Nobody is perfect, and none of us are pro scouts. Why should we get flamed by this troll ach for believing in Lin against all odds?
So we don't get everything perfect. Big friggin deal. This is a Lin fansite and the "fanboys" like me have no problem supporting Lin even when HATERS like Ach come here looking for TROUBLE!!!
YES.
DeleteKHuang you need to take a long hard look in the mirror. If you're honest with yourself (which admittedly is a difficult feat for the deluded), you'll see that you are the troll. You do a disservice to fans of Lin and make them all look like delusional groupies such as yourself.
I'm gonna tell you exactly what frustrates me about you, ach.
DeleteYou have not just good but EXCELLENT basketball knowledge that you use to back up your strong opinions.
A guy as knowledgeable as you would seemingly understand that basketball is a SUBJECTIVE sport in which knowledgeable people have WIDELY VARYING opinions.
It's not your knowledge that offends me or other people here. It's your attitude because you GO AFTER PEOPLE here. You seek to make people look stupid, and that earns you not adoration but RETALIATION.
You won't convince people that Lin is playing badly, even if he IS. Given that Lin could beat me in bball with his hands tied and eyes closed, his boggest fail surpasses my best day. I KNOW MY PLACE.
I'm a Lin fan, and until he does something criminal or quits the NBA I'm his adoring fan. You don't like it? TOUGH. This is a Lin fansite where hate has no place.
thanks Jeremy for giving us a wonderful game... God bless you always
ReplyDeleteI was extremely happy JLin finally had a break out performance. What made it even better is that Harden was out. We JLin fans know deep down what kind of player JLin really is and capable of. Monday night JLin gratified us and petrified the constant naysayers. This is just one game but plenty to refute the claims of flashes in the pan type comments.
ReplyDeleteWhen Harden returns, I expect JLin to play the type of pressure defense he showed he's capable of during the Spurs game. I expect JLin to handle the ball even more. McHale and company will need to find the right balance and maximize JLin's strengths instead of transforming JLin's game into something unbearably recognizable for the past 19 games. I expect JLin's offense to pick up, at least scoring in the teens night in and night out. No more 4 points this game and 9 points that game. Consistency in the teens is what I expect and the coaches better find ways for JLin to flourish so he can get those type of numbers--we all know JLin is more than capable.
I said before. Lin needs to F@&k the 'team first' crap and pad his stats once awhile. That's the only way to get respect. From players and coaches.
ReplyDeleteNice guys don't get remembered.
He doesn't need to pad his stats; he just needs to play his game and not defer to Harden all the time.
DeleteI want to watch the game - do you have any link? free :)
ReplyDeleteStill hope to see JLin and Harden develop some good game together but that will take time as Jason Friedmann has pointed out with his Wade and James comparison:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nba.com/rockets/news/jeremy-lin-and-return-look
Hardlin can be a eally nice lethal combo one day but its up to the coaches to make that happen. JLin wasnt happy after the game but he left an exclamation mark after the spurs game - saying "yeah - thats me - make something out of it".
Right now JLin and TD mash better. I dont see why people are always afraid TD could steal JLins spot. If they say this in a sarcastic manner as reaction to the coaches questionable sub pattern - OK - but if they say this cause they think TD is better PG - hell no.
JLin is a PG and TD is IMHO a SG with some PG ambition. If they play as such it could work out very well. I think thats where they both play at their best.
Ive always been a fan of both and they gotta have some sort of chemnistry. After all - they were both on the Knicks bench.
TD never showed any sign of envy - instead always backed Lin. Keep in mind - Linsanity started with a nice pass from TD to JLin (Nets game). Im not saying TD is better than Harden but I do say right now TD is better for Lin than Harden is.
Though coaches think that TD plays better D than JLin (we here as well as lots of folks on CF dont completely agree on that) the coaches could actually have both guys D if playing at the same time. In my eyes - TDs D is better than Hardens.
Asik had a new career high if Im not mistaken and he is awesome in his ways (when hes not fumbling the ball - ruining Lins assist rate) but he is still a bit green. I have yet so see him quickly go up, catch a ball bouncing from the glas and slam it.
Greg Smith has done it several times already and I wonder if he can catch JLins awesome alley oops. His alley oops are something that cost him no energy (hence more energie on next play), leaves the opponents dumbfounded and demoralises them (what just happened), makes his teammate look good (like heroes), makes the fans go nuts (MVP) and energizes the the team (man we play so smart). This part of Lins repertoire (like many other parts) are still waiting to get utilised.
I've always liked Tony Douglas because he support Lin when they were on the Knicks. Remember TD really struggled at the beginning of this season. I was frankly embarrassed for him. Now he has become a major asset. The big problem is that while the coaches built TD up they were bringing Jeremy down.
DeleteExact same play as the Valentine's Day shot in Toronto, down even to waving off the C screen (and extra defender), except Danny Green played up a step where Calderon took a step back.
ReplyDeleteLin thought for a split second he had a driving lane to go Linsanity at the rim, but it wasn't there, and when he hesitated, Green pounced.
In that situation, most star scorers who are dribbling down the clock and committed to taking the money shot like Lin - up to and including Anthony, Bryant, Durant, James, Wade - jab step, pull back, and jack it up over the defender. Even though Green wasn't giving him as much space as Calderon gave him, the shot was there for Lin. Next time in the same situation, I expect he'll do what all the other elite scorers do and jack it.
@eric from what I see, Danny Green tap Lin's left thigh and then it kind of snap Lin out of his concentration for a short moment. Green saw the short concentration lapse and pounced right at it but Lin recover quick enough and protect the rock to prevent clear path turn over which would sealed the game.
ReplyDeleteRockets could really use a guy like Danny Green and I think Lin would really love the idea to be playing together with his former old D-League teammate in the same NBA team again.
Having Steve Novak and Danny Green being Lin's teammate again would be great I think (my fantasy)
@Eric
ReplyDeleteGood to see you again.
"Next time in the same situation"
Ah, the heart of the matter re: the future. Will it be in his hands the next time the Rox are in that situation?
As long as he's making his shots (and really, has there been any other reason for disappointment up until now?) this is the question I'm most interested in seeing the answer play out.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJLin felt bad when he got the ball poked away by Green in the last possesion, but he should use that as a reminder to improve his left hand even more. Notice during that possession JLin was yoyoing the ball back and forth getting ready to cross Green over. He could have done it but he needed to go left. If he had gone left, the path to the basket was wide open. If the defense collapsed on him, he could have kicked it to Asik, a shooter on the arc, or just take it strong to the basket and get foulded. Instead he bounced the ball back over to his right hand and that's when Green poked it away. Green has length so Jlin probably had a momentarily mental lapse. If JLin can really improve his left hand, he will be deadly.
ReplyDeleteThe proper thing to do would be to use the pick set by Asik. Danny Green is a long armed defender who makes it difficult to drive around 1-on-1, but he's only an average pick-n-roll defender ... and Duncan was in foul trouble, so Lin could have had an easy layup if he used the pick and roll instead of settling for a low percentage contested jumpshot, like Harden would have.
DeleteOverall, this was the best chance the Rockets had to beat the Spurs ... they were shooting over 50% for 3's, they got Duncan into foul trouble, Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Jackson were not playing ... a perfect storm.
JLin is a very streaky player. He becomes more and more aggressive as the momentum build up. That's when he become unstoppable. All of us see that clearly, and why can't the coaches see that? I felt like the coaches intend to stop JLin from bringing Linsanity back to the game. I got extremely furious when McHale yanked JLin when he made that 3. That's when the momentum started to build up and McHale stopped it. It was like "OMG". Fortunately, JLin was all fired up and came back out and took over. The 2nd benched was kind of a 50/50 call because JLin deserve a breather, but I think he has more in the tank to go for an extra 5 mins. That's why i said it was a 50/50 call. If McHale just let JLin played through it, I think the result could be much more favorable, and JLin could have gotten his first 40+ pts game. I really hate it when coaches stop a player's momentum, and the Rox's coaches did that to JLin many times this season. Anyhow, I'm just happy that I finally got to watch a full JLin's game, and it turned out to be the best game of the season.
ReplyDeleteEver heard of ROI? Harden is paid 80mil. Morey et al have to justify the max contract. Gameplans designed for Harden to play iso so that he'll become a superstar(some say he is already one)! This is how the corporate office measures their performance. Decisions already made for this season: Jeremy Lin doesn't need to play at all-star level! It's a momentarily celebration for us fans to see Jeremy unleashed Linsanity last night as it only happens once in a blue moon. Harden will be playing TWO GUARD this season and probably the next season too! Very anti-climate...
DeleteA true shooting guard like OJ Mayo, JJ Reddick, Jamal Crawford would have complimented JLin perfectly by spreading the floor and cutting to the basket. And they would have cost much less than Harden's "ridiculous" 5-year contract.
Delete"A true shooting guard like OJ Mayo, JJ Reddick, Jamal Crawford"
DeleteOr Kevin Martin?
There are point guards and shooting guards. Then there are lead guards and off guards.
Yeah, I agree with Eric.
DeleteNot just Kevin Martin, but Allan Houston in Latrell Sprewell's body in Jeremy Lamb.
I really do miss those two players, as good as Harden has been.
I watched the end of the 4Q, OT, and geraldd39lin's Lin game-highlights on youtube.
ReplyDeleteThoughts, based on what I saw of the game:
Welcome back, Linsanity, but upgraded. Lin combined his top-shelf scoring and versatility from last season with his improved passing, handle, and ballhawking this season.
Beyond the integration of his current-season improvements with his Linsanity strengths, the game wasn't a revelation, unlike his Linsanity streak. We really didn't see anything new from Lin. The difference was quantity more than quality. We just got to see him playing hot with the ball kept in his hands.
Structure. The game supported my belief that the main reason for Lin's subpar production this season has been structural, not regression in Lin. With Harden out, Lin was given his lead-guard role back, the role that was yanked from him and handed to Harden immediately upon the trade. The upgrade in Lin's comfort level with control of the ball restored was tangible.
Harvard-UConn. Lin played just like that in the UConn game that put him on the NBA's radar. A grimly determined underdog attacking the bigger dog with clear vision, on his terms, at a relentless high pace, willing to sacrifice his own body to pull out the upset. Lin is like Nash as a scorer, in that he has the skills to be a top scorer night in night out, but iso-Lin is not his inclination. Like Nash, Lin prefers to score as much as he needs to, when he needs to. In games like UConn, the Linsanity streak, or the Spurs last night, that means scoring a lot.
Worried-mom fan and the happy medium. Lin played at a very high gear and a sped up pace. His talent was on full display. Lin took on a top NBA contender and shone. That said, while it's the kind of game I like to see Lin pull out from reserve when needed, it's not the kind of game I want to see from Lin every game. Let's get Lin through his first whole season and, reasonably projecting, play-offs by avoiding a nightly Secretariat load. This Spurs game, however, shows that Lin's average use should be higher than the way the Rockets have used him this season. My working model for a good balanced way to use Lin continues to be Woodson's use of Lin - dialed down from the Secretariat load, but steady use in the PG role, and dialing up Linsanity when needed. Hopefully, the Spurs game will help McHale find a happy medium for Lin with Harden as Woodson did with Lin and Anthony.
Ball-dominant lead guard - there can be only one? Of course, finding a happy medium for Lin with Anthony was easier because their skillsets weren't redundant, and the G/F combo is naturally complementary. Fixing Lin's role in the Spurs game was easy; McHale simply gave Harden's role (originally Lin's role) to Lin and the rest of the team stayed in their accustomed roles playing off Lin instead of Harden. Lin's vastly improved production in the absence of Harden reinforced the redundancy of Lin and Harden.
Lin did what he had to do. He made his case loud and clear against the Spurs, reminiscent of staking his claim against the Nets last season. It remains to be seen whether the Rockets can mesh Lin and Harden better than either/or guard controlling the one ball in the same role.
The Wizards game on Wednesday may not tell us much, but assuming Harden is back by then, the Celtics on Friday should be a good test for the direction of Lin's role playing with Harden.
Nicely said. Preach it to the coaches.
DeleteDing..Ding... Last night, God came back down to with JL beside his very busy save world schedule. Please, schedule this task at lease once a week. So, we - the fans of JL can have all the fun.Time will go by really fast like this.
ReplyDeleteIf God is for us, who can be against us?
DeleteIf it was an act of God ... wouldn't the Rockets beat the Spurs ?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI don't care who won that games last night. It's a entertainment business. Look at last night replay of the game. Everyone on the court were excited. Even the Spurs' Players. We all just have a good time there. Not like the last Rockets vs Spurs game that Harden hogging the ball all the time and got beat by 20. JL can get everyone involve. I mean everyone on the court include opposite team. That's what Linsanity all about - the joy for everyone.
DeleteWell, that's not how it exactly works that God will give you wins or losses :)
DeleteIf God only came back last night, that would beg the question where was God during his struggle in the past 18 games?
God is always there for JLin in those wins and losses. The real question is why God let Lin experienced those struggles? Because those trials will make his character stronger because of it.
And why God didn't let him win? Because Lin still has much to learn. He'll learn much more from losses than wins. He'll learn how to save his energy, work on his crossover, and close the game strongly.
I'm sure God approved of him doing his current BEST last night being assertive in both offensive and defensive ends.
Hey guys, taking pot shots at Jeremy's faith is uncool. As far as I am concerned this is a forum about Jeremy Lin the person, not only Jeremy Lin the basketball player. Show some respect for him and don't ridicule his faith and refrain from using profanity.
DeleteLin won because he took responsibility for himself and his game.
DeleteIf God blesses NBA players with wins/losses then that means God must love the New York Knicks more than Lin.
It's great to have faith and to trust in God, but we also must work hard towards our goals, take credit for our success, and take responsibility for ourselves when we fail.
Well said, ABC Baller.
DeleteLin still won over his struggle although Rockets lost the game.
And God still wants us to take responsibility and work hard toward our goals.
it's a miracle! this is exactly what i was saying yesterday. i swear he reads this blog =) all he needed to do was play HIS game and not try to fit in. attack, and the shots will fall. looks like he ditched his GSW mentality last night and brought back NYK linsanity mentality!
ReplyDeleteas i said, jlin's talent cannot be maintained. jlin must be set free!
DeleteI think Jeremy is too humble at times. He calls Parker an "elite guard". He believes Harden is an elite guard as well which is why he defers to him and lets him take all the shots. The fact is Jeremy, you are an elite guard as well and you need to start believing that. I've heard the proper definition of humility is not putting yourself below others, but to make a right estimate on oneself. It is not arrogant to believe you are an elite guard if that is who you are.
Deletecontained*
DeleteI was hoping Jeremy's last shot would have gone in so he could get 40. 40 is such a nice round number. Besides his scoring I thought he played an all around sensational game. Did you guys notice he was the one who knocked the ball away from Duncan on their final possession in regulation? I also really like Greg Smith's play. He had 3 blocks including a great one on Duncan. He also finished one of Jeremy's assists by going up strong. Whenever Jeremy passes to Asik I hold my breath. I hope Smith gets more playing time with Jeremy.
ReplyDeleteReminded me of the drive for 40 he missed in the Lakers game.
DeleteI still got to see the Lin is just lucky comment on NBA. Well...it's not surprising. Every good thing rise with some bad thing.
ReplyDeleteto wifflesquared and others,
ReplyDeleteJames Harden is the best scorer on this team. He is not the best player. He is one of the worst defenders on the team. He can not guard the ball period and is awful in help and transition (in transition he is off the charts awful -- think Manolete) Witness the Rockets putting Douglas on Mayo. I guarantee you Michael Jordan would have found a way to stop OJ Mayo. And, James Harden, is supposed to be the Michael Jordan of this team ... he's getting paid THE BIG MONEY. ... that he is a scorer and gets to relax on D is BS.
The problem with this league and what Jeremy Lin made perfectly clear last night AGAIN is that it does not know how to judge who a good basketball player is... Furthermore Lin blows holes in the whole NBA/AAU development program ... they can't claim him as one of their "boys." 38 points in an NBA game ... twice ... LINSANITY over 10 games ... from a so called "D-league" makes the NBA look foolish really.
Jeremy Lin is every bit as good as James Harden and I think better. He does so many "other" things for the team that Harden doesn't do. That defensive swipe away at the rim last night was just a big time basketball play. Harden doesn't make that play... he's had 20 games to make an impressive defensive play ... he hasn't come close.
lol any player compared to MJ will fail in comparison. But ur right Harden needs to play defense.
DeleteYes, MJ is an unfair comparison. But Harden is supposed to be THE GUY. Step up, you lazy bum.
DeleteHarden doesn't play as agressive on defense because he knows the team counts on him to score and he can't get into foul trouble. Hopefully Lin can take some of the offensive pressure off Harden so he can play more agressive defense. By the way did anybody notice Harden's powder blue suit and white shoes last night? Kinda didn't go with his dark beard.
ReplyDeleteHarden is a hipster.
DeleteSmoovies,
ReplyDeletethis is the lamest excuse any one can ever offer. I have spent 5 decades in this game both as a coach and a player at all levels and that excuse doesn't hold water for anyone with a lick of knowledge about what it takes to create competitive team ... a team where each individual is accountable to his teammates, particularly defensively. This team doesn't need his scoring ... last night proved that. What they need is for him to be accountable to his teammates on the defensive end. Offensively, he needs to run the floor and space it properly for jeremy when jeremy has the ball (rather than jog to the wing and hover and call for the ball like he does and stop JLINs flow). Foul Trouble? ... there is no such thing in the NBA. You get six. If you foul out of an NBA game you are an incompetent boob.
10/10, just curious. You said "a player at all levels". What levels are we talking about? So you do agree that Lin should handle the ball more as a PG and then Rockets should focus more on their D?
Delete@10/10
DeleteAre you kidding? Are you really saying there is no such thing as foul trouble in the NBA? When a starter gets 2 fouls in the first quarter they are yanked. Duncan didn't contest one of Jeremy's layups last night because he was in foul trouble. During the Lakers game Jeremy got 2 early fouls and was taken out of the game. Player foul management is a big part of NBA basketball. You've got to be kidding if you don't manage your teams fouls.
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Delete@ eb 5 ...
DeleteAll levels coaching. Professional to Biddy Basketball. Lin should definitely handle the ball more. The issue here really is you have two Alphas with very similar games. They are both ball dominant and I have a hard time seeing them fit together. For JLIN to be in HIS FLOW and AT HIS BEST FOR THE TEAM he needs to be the Alpha and have the ball. Also, JLIN is a guy who effects the game over the whole body of the game... He needs to be on the floor and in control. In reality he is a high minutes guy, because you never know when hes going to go LINSANE -- a steal for a lay-up, a dish for a 3, a PNR three -- and put his stamp on the game and create FLOW for his teammates. Harden doesn't create flow for his team the way JLIN does. YES -- he is the better scorer... but not better at creating FLOW.
The Rockets definitely need to tighten their D and they need to hold Harden accountable for his poor defense. If LIN has to sit for bad D, so should HARDEN. I thought Rockets were best last night with both TD and LIN on floor with TD getting after it on Parker. That SUB-OUT by McHale was a killer in the 4th quarter. Yes, LIN prolly need a break, but McHale should have recognized LIN was LINSANE and used a time-out or two for a rest for LIN. There are games where you have to use time-outs for rest and last night was one of them. You do this when a guy or group of guys that just can't come off the floor that night, particularly when you are playing a superior team.
Smoovies,
Deleteok. YES there certainly is foul trouble. BUT, the idea that Harden is soft-pedaling it to avoid foul trouble and that is a reasonable excuse is ridiculous. You don't start the game planning to avoid foul trouble ... you start the game planning to defend. If foul trouble arises, then you can make some adjustments. But, most "stars" are rarely fouled out of NBA games... and if they are ... its their own fault. Nobody is so valuable that they can't play defense. This simply comes down to Mchale and Sampson (defensive guru) holding Harden accountable.
My point being, Smooves, Harden in not so valuable that he cant play defense. Last night proves the point. The Rockets can score points without him. He and they need to do a better job defending... not worrying about avoiding foul trouble.
Delete...and part of playing good defense IS ... NOT FOULING.
Delete10/10, good to see the way you think, because I also think Lin contributes more to the flow of the game than Harden, when Lin is allowed to get his hands on the ball and make decisions. He really does a nice job of getting some players involved offensively, even when sometimes those players, i.e., keep on missing some easy shots. But that is the beauty of Lin's game that he gets them involved to create a synergy. I also think your belief that McHale should have called a time-out to rest Lin but yet keep him in the game is absolutely on the spot, and it seemed to me that the Rockets' coaches were trying to show that they could close the game out without Lin. I also agree with you that they are making a mistake by applying a different standard to Harden. Even if Harden gets paid like a superstar, he should be held accountable like other Rockets players.
DeleteIn my best @via impersonation:
ReplyDeleteJeremy Lin, all in
In semirelated news, Jeremy LAMB just got recalled from the D league after averaging 22 ppg on 40% shooting.
ReplyDeleteI miss both him and Kevin Martin.
Nothing against James Harden, but I really was looking forward to an all-Ron Jeremy (urk) backcourt stroking balls from behind the arc . . .
OK, that sounded even worse than I intended.
LMAO!
DeleteDon't even get me started on the fact that "Ron" Jeremy is a red hot "Rocket", Dystopia1980!!!
DeleteHe's "performing" very well . . .
I thought he had to grow some balls. Props to Jeremy. He didn't need to grow balls, he just needs to shave pubic hair; I mean get rid of the beard. McHale must set new plays or alternate between Hardon and Lin. It's mainly Hardon 90% of the time. The game for Jeremy will open their eyes about setting new plays.
ReplyDeleteMan, you are using "gross" analogy here. :) Man, you should think of some different analogy to use.
DeleteI'm HAPPY that Doc Scheppler indeed has been the RIGHT shooting coach for Lin.
ReplyDeleteEven last game, I was wondering if Lin needed a better shooting coach. But when Lin scores like he did, the resounding answer is NO, he's FINE with Doc!
There are many ways to shoot the basketball well. As long as Lin has a way that works for him, great. My concern was that he did not, but my concerns were alleviates by Doc's wonderful coaching.
I've been saying all along that Lin has been doing a string of mini breakouts leading to a BIG ONE. Well, the big one just hit!
I noticed in last night's game the arc on his shots was again higher like it was last season. I think Jeremy reverted back to that shot because most of this season even on his makes his shot had been looking much flatter.
DeleteI really feel that JLIN was in his ALPHA zone last night and what you saw was as he said his comfort zone... that's his comfort shot. Now maybe his arc technically needs to come down... but he was in his flow and the arc didn't matter... the ball was going in. LIN is a feel player... When Harden is pounding the ball and he's in the corner... he's just not feeling the game.
DeleteWell I was trying to say that I think the higher arc was a GOOD thing not bad.
DeleteThe flat shot he was employing this season wasn't effective and when he reverted back to his higher arc last night he splashed em.
The Lakers are 1-9 when Kobe scores 30+. Teams win more when there is an even distribution of scoring. I don't think Harden will mind if Lin takes some of his shots. I think everyone had doubts, even Jeremy himself, of whether he could perform at the same level as last year. Now that he's proven he can, the coaching staff can now devise a system to better utilize both of their skills.
ReplyDeleteAs well as Asik has performed this year, I still hope Jeremy can be paired with a big man that can finish. I miss Lin lobbing the ball to Chandler for the ally-oop. I'm hoping Greg Smith can be that guy. I wouldl like to see a lineup of Lin, Douglas, Smith, Parsons, Morris.
Smoovies,
DeleteI love the Greg Smith call. Get outlets to JLIN and tell him to sprint the floor. We will get several easy buckets a game off that... . Excellent idea. I have been waiting for McHale to get a clue on this... I just don't think he has a full grasp of how LIN can manage the break. That he is the best on the team at distributing in transition.
Unknown said that Harden and Lin are a lot like Isiah and Dumars.
DeleteI agree. Two All Star talented guards.
I also think of Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond, especially since Tim Hardaway seemingly came out of nowhere despite playing for a STORIED college program.
I'm pretty sure Jeremy Lin was a Tim Hardaway fan growing up. Were Tim Hardaway not affiliated with the Miami Heat, I'd target him as a phenomenal mentor for Jeremy Lin.
ah !@#$, Jeremy reaggravated his ankle in practice today.
ReplyDeleteHoward Chen tweeted that he's fine and should play tomorrow -- also it was the OTHER ankle (not the one he turned last night).
DeleteSprains are weird. Depending on the severity of the twist and the anatomy of the player, they can be a virtual non-issue. Or a lingering problem for weeks. Just glad that Jeremy has strong ankles! Even if he has weak knees, heh.
I'm curious as to what others on the board think about this.
ReplyDeleteLast night was fantastic. I have believed all along that J Lin has this game inside him and it needed to come out. But couple of observations I've made since the season began really makes me question the coaching.
1. Lin during last night's interview mentioned that "They didn't make any sets... we didn't run any sets or anything" when asked about his shots. Which leads me to believe that the coaches were not actively behind Lin to score. It was not a coaching decision to have Lin be the primary scorer last night... Now contrast that to when Parsons had his huge game. He stated in his post game interview several games ago that the coaches kept calling plays for him.
Look, none of us know what the hell is really going on in the locker room but it's pretty safe to say that Jeremy went off on his own. I'm sure the Mac and Sam had no problem with that but it was not something they had designed.
They are under-utilizing Lin and not giving him enough set plays.
2. Sampson on two occasions has had Jeremy sit on the bench in the 4th quarter and in OT. Same with Mac.
Why do they keep F'ing with the substitution pattern. Good coaches have regular sub pattern they follow. That way, you decrease drama every night. Players get used to their rolls and find rhythm. If you keep changing the sub pattern, benching this player here and that player then, it messes with the chemistry and rhythm. Humans are circadian by nature. The two coaches are missing the forest for the trees. They should not be too worried about individual wins. I get the sense that they measure their success/failure with each win. Instead, they need to understand that this is a growing young team. What they need to establish is a pattern of substitutions which settles the players in their rolls. As of now, no one in the damn team knows what to expect in the 4th quarter when the game matters most. And they keep wandering why Rox keep losing the leads. No consistency. ONce a pattern is established, then the coach can modify it slightly on a game to game basis. But no matter what, they need to have all 5 starters (barring injuries) in the tail 8 mins or so of all the games, no matter how well the benches are playing. This is for the future development of the team and not just for the "now" win.
Delete3. Mac and Sam use really inappropriate Timeout and subs. I recall a few games ago when they played the Heat, with game on the line in the 4th quarter with the lead. Sam had a smaller line up when the free throw was being shot, knowing that if the opposing team misses, there would be an immediate timeout. He should have subbed in the bigger lineup after the first Freethrow, to make sure they grab the defensive rebound. But he forgot to sub in the big line up (Asik was on the bench), Heat got the offensive rebound off the missed free throw and went on to win the game. Poor decision.
Again in last nights game, first of all, Mac F'ed up when he pulled Lin out in the 4th quarter.... WHY!!!
Only 5 mins to go. Why kill the momentum. Yes he was tired, but call a timeout instead. As soon as Lin came out, 8 point lead was gone in less than 2 minutes and Lin had to come back in. Then, Mac calls time out.
Again, this confuses player and throws off the rhythm.
The sub pattern should be a no brainer. Look at the Phil Jackson, the greatest coach ever. (I've read his book Sacred Hoops. Excellent read)
You rest your best player near the end of the first quarter. Let them sit through beginning of second and then have them finish the first half. Same pattern again the 3rd and 4th quarter. It doesn't have to follow that exact pattern but the Rox should establish a pattern of their own.
This BS philosophy of "letting who ever plays well on a nightly basis, determine who plays more minutes" is killing the team chemistry and the rhythm.
In summary, good coaching is not just about drawing up the best plays. Success is not just measured in each night's win's or losses. Good coaching is creating an environment where individuals can shine in the context of a team. I just don't see that from Mac and Sam. Rox have enormous potential. But they need to develop that over time. Just embrace for the losses and don't worry too much about it. Instead, look for the long term success. Establish good patterns. Build chemistry. Find rhythm. Learn from losses as well as the wins.
LOL.
DeleteTo coach Mchale:
ReplyDeleteI don't know why it is so hard to figure out how to use Lin and Harden together? Didn't you have a test sample from the first two games of the season that turned out really well? Shouldn't that be your model to build on? Why are we chasing our tails instead of using our heads to lead? Why are we going around and around to come back to the same conclusion....that Lin needs to be the lead guard and direct the offense? You do know he has a harvard degree? It's not like he's dumb with mad skills. He's smart with mad skills. You are just refusing to admit the obvious. That Lin is pretty good. Once you admit that, the confusion will clear up. Players will enjoy playing more. Attendance will increase. And you might even make the playoffs, unless you're trying to tank the season to prove a point with management.