That's four straight great games. Memphis and Chicago are two of the best defenses, too.
Let's not forget he's still cold from 3pt range -- he can play even better than this. Man, if/when Jeremy becomes a solid 3pt shooter...he's going to be scary. I'm talking CP3-level.
If the Rockets decide to add a big man before the deadline, it should be someone complementary and not a "big name star." Not Cousins. Not even Love (I've soured on his attitude). Someone like Millsap who can finish above the rim and be a glue-guy. Great value salary-wise, too.
I prefer management save the money for raises to give to players like Parson, and Smith when their contracts are due. Currently, Houston is playing pretty good together. I don't see trading for player like Cousins will be a good idea.
I agree Millsap is the best value for a big man who can score consistently, play some defense and has no "me-first" attitude problems. He is a bit of an upgrade over Morris now but perhaps Morris will develop even better.
Al Jefferson might also work too and he is bigger so he can play C or PF.
Cousins scared me with his attitude problems, just like Royce White did. Amare plays no defense and is too expensive. Josh Smith is athletic but has low BB IQ.
I say no to more established players with character issues that will ruin the chemistry of HOU young team.
If anything, they should develop their young players in 2-3 years and try to bring in cheap veteran player (i.e. Jared Jeffries) to bring leadership to the locker room during playoff run.
If the Rockets trade for DeMarcus Cousins, I'd be OK with that.
Kevin McHale is a TOUGH coach who will teach Cousins how to be a better big NBA big man. Plus, Cousins doesn't strike me as a bad guy. He's out of control and emotionally unstable, but I feel that McHale and especially Lin would get him under control.
I honestly think Lin and Harden would control Cousins just like Jordan and Pippen controlled Rodman in Chicago. I remember that one time when Rodman started to get into a fight with somebody and Scottie Pippen TACKLED Rodman, sending both teammates to the floor!
Or maybe a better comparison for Lin taming Cousins would be Tim Duncan taming Stephen Jackson on the Spurs.
Thanks for all you do for this site. The recent thread management has been wonderful.
@2(wiffle)
re: you post game recap
1) "Man, how good was Asik tonight?"
He was incredible. Granted he had extra incentive, but like so many other parts of the Rox machine I really think he is just beginning to untap his potential. I love Yao to death, but it has been a *long* time since we had a center who can run.
2)"You know Lin's having a good game whenever you see him getting swatted hard to the ground."
I still hate that. I want him to last a long time. Nevertheless, I am not longer on the refs for not giving him any respect. His first "turnover" (the fast break) involved significant contact IMO. I think the ref knew it too; very next play Noah gets called for the offensive on Lin (yeah, it was a sloppy screen, but off the ball that stuff happens all the time, so it's nice to get recognized once in awhile).
3) "People say he is overrated"
Who, CP? I've never seen *any* of that :)
Now that Lin has started getting some calls, it's time CP does as well. I can tell it drives him crazy too; the way he goes after refs after he's fouled I'm always afraid of a technical.
Couple of additional thoughts:
Sometime mid November I started thinking that MM should start. After tonight, Memphis, really since PPat went down, I'm convinced of it. Being old school, McHale won't do it right away when PPat gets back, but we'll see...
Is it fair to mark game #20 as the start of Linsanity chapter 2? We're 6-2, riding a 4 game win streak, climbing up the offensive ratings, defensive ratings (even transition defense ranking!). Lin is confident and completely involved, Harden is performing the same with more sustainable minutes... it's good to be a Rockets fan.
@nom Regarding CP - heh. :) I think this site is the only place where I have ever seen people say his defence is overrated. His offence is still streaky though. And he really doesn't get much in the way of foul calls, I didn't notice that until you pointed it out. Harden should give the Rox a training camp on how to get fouls...
The Rockets have a winning record (6-2) ever since the LinSpurts, which is a term that refers to the December 10, 2012 Rockets vs. Spurs game, in which Jeremy Lin's production sprouted because either he took it upon himself to play PG or the coach McHale allowed him to in the absence of James Harden (many fans believe in was likely the latter). The Rockets lost the Spurs game, but it shou
Lin was originally signed as a PG during the 2012 Summer free agency. However, it was widely reported that Rockets' "basketball minds" weren't happy about signing Lin. And general managers and other coaches around the league with whom McHale had talked to reported that McHale was so irate that this will be his last year coaching for the Rockets.
Lets hope that McHale keeps his word. His assistant coach Sampson must go as well, because he coached and benched Jeremy Lin just like McHale while he acted ass the head coach during McHale's leave of absence.
LOL are people never gonna get off Mchale and Sampson's case? McHale so far has probably been the best NBA coach Lin has had! (yes, even better than D'Antoni because his relentless and selfish usage of Lin was always going to lead to an early retirement for our Harvard Hero).
In terms are basketball coaching, it was a crappy and racist misconduct. It is still fresh in the minds of many people because it has only been 15 days ago. However, don't worry (You're apparently a kind fellow), it will fairly soon be forgotten. Time always forgets and heals, not to mention that people have short memory.
Coaches just care about winning. They live and die on winning. Their jobs are dependent on how much the team they coach win. Any other theory is completely manufactured.
D'Antoni didn't overuse Lin since: - Lin is young and wanted to play those minutes. - The coach didn't have much choice because too many PGs were injured. - The injury to Lin's knee most probably happened because of the Kidd's cheap shot. - Player can have more severe injury than what Lin had even when they NEVER play more than 20 minutes per game.
Also, if Lin didn't play heavy minutes during Linsanity, he wouldn't have taken off quite as spectacular a fashion like he did, because as a virtual rookie Lin said "a lot of holes in my game". He still helped the team win a lot of games with those holes in his game though. This year, Lin has already improved his game quantum leap (minus jump shot earlier) as one would expect, just from getting more practice and experience.
It's true that coaches just care about winning - And they absolutely must because it's their job. However, stop with the false intellectual BS about my theory being "completely manufactured" because it's not a theory, but rather a power of simple observation that was clearly observable to even morons (morons are just shy of average). The Rockets lost way too many games when Lin wasn't given the chance to play PG, which is what he was signed for. But the coaches clearly agreed with Wo_dson and Car_elo and the bozo type of pundits that Lin isn't a starter caliber, instead of looking at Lin's stats, facts and circumstances. The facts and circumstances were: 1) Lin played for a new team. 2) Lin was thrown into a learn-as-you-go sink or swim situation, as a virtual rookie. 3) The truncated schedule left little room for practice in between games. 4) Lin had to play for 2 different coaches and 2 different roles. 5) Lin's playing minutes had been drastically cut with the coach change. 6) Lin's teammates were sabotaging games once the captain came back in the lineup until the coach change.
The above mentioned circumstances were the reason for Lin's "steep drop off" in production. McHales' and Sampson's wrong perception aside (many people had the same misperception after all), Mr Alexander signed Lin as a *STARTING* *PG*, not as a spot-up shooter with not yet 100% rehabbed knee! It's better than never, but the credit goes to Jeremy Lin himself because Lin played the PG role in that Spurs game. (Not the case prior to that, which is why I believe Lin smartly ignored the coach when Harden was out. And I believe that game was, is, and will be the exception, just because Lin is of a high character). That was the case of God helping Lin because Lin helped himself. I recall seeing Lin looking mad a few times as if to say "See, I can play. Give me a fighting chance, ye of little faith and racists".
I just disagree with you on such a fundamental level that it is impossible for me to fully explicate. I and a few other people here (such as KHuang) were always on-board with McHale from the start. I also don't think it is "a power of simple observation" that McHale was simply motivated by racism. Serious charges require serious evidence and that has not been the case. We are talking about a tiny, tiny sample size. Moreover, I have been emphatic that it was clear that Lin was clearly not fully fit at the start of the season, and it was not reasonable to expect Lin to play at a high usage rate.
As KHuang emphasised, and to some extent Wilc did in other observations, the Rockets have all been thrust into positions they are unfamiliar with. Lin had to force himself to try to improve his spot up shooting, Asik had to step up his offensive game, Parsons had to deal with increased ball-handling, and so on. Is it really a matter of racism or completely inept coaching, or hard love? We will never know.
But I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt.
Whatever it was at the beginning, it is clear that McHale has been won over by Lin. He may have had doubts, but he is fully onboard now. Compare that to Woodson, who never truly trusted Lin even as Lin produced wonders for him and his predecessor. A man can make mistakes. But not many people learn to rectify them.
It didn't have that much to do with usage rate, but how he was used and what position he was asked to play and the manner he was benched and how much he was benched and when he was benched.
A part of your statement is one of the points I'm talking about: "Lin was clearly not fully fit at the start of the season" - So then why have him play a spot-up jump shooter???!!! That's one of the worse thing to have him do in that case.
The fact that "I and a few other people here (such as KHuang) were always on-board with McHale from the start." doesn't make you right or make me wrong. A lot of people agree with me (I read other forums) and I didn't use that reasoning as a some sort of proof that I must be right. SMH.
How is being a spot up jump shooter the worst role for a person who is not physically at his best? You really have to explain that to me.
As for your last paragraph, I never said it makes me right. I am just pointing out the fact we don't agree with you doesn't make me, Bamboo or KHuang idiots.
I might be an idiot but not for that reason anyway ;)
Also, Lin has had 6 coaching changes in one year. McHale - D'Antoni - Woodson - McHale - Sampson - McHale. I don't know about you but the last thing I want is another damned coaching change where Lin has to win the trust of the man YET AGAIN just because you are convinced that McHale is a racist.
From the beginning, I have said that McHale is a "great player coach".
What that means is that McHale gives ALL of his guys total freedom when they get into games, including total bench scrubs.
At the same time however, McHale has a responsibility to win games and develop players. It has become apparent to me that he's a "tough love" coach that will force guys to work on their game by shifting around their responsibilities on the court. Whether or not that's McHale or the assistants, it matters not to me because McHale is the head coach.
At the beginning of the season, nobody knew what the young Rockets could do. The only known quantity was James Harden, especially since Lin was getting back in shape. But the Rockets offense has been changed around from a post heavy lane clogging trench battle to a spread offense with power forwards often deployed at the 3 point line to open up driving lanes for Lin.
Now that McHale has found a "style that works", Lin is soaring like he never has before. Not even jn Linsanity was Lin playing this well. Kudos to McHale for transforming Lin the way he transformed Lowry and Dragic.
Lets say you all were spot on McHale's and Sanpson's good intention in developing JLin's game, then please explain to me the countless questionable substitution patterns. Benched JLin the minute he lit up; benched JLin when the game was on the line. Benched JLin when ge made a good play. Benched JLin when he made a bad play; heck bench JLin all 4th quarter. If that's what you call developing a player's skill and confidence, then you all acquired some intelligence that I'm lacking.
Endless substitution patterns are APPROPRIATE for a team with like 13 new players!!!
Besides, it took that long for Les Alexander (er, I mean McHale) to implement the fast paced offense that looks suspiciously like the old Boston Celtics Red Auerbach fast break offense that McHale learned how to play as a rookie alongside Celtics coach Bill Fitch!
@ztrta I still dont understand why so many on this blog blames JLin's initial problems on Harden, and the coaches. I think it was clearly evident that JLin wasn't in the best shape coming off surgery and showed when he played poorly in pre-season. In addition JLin didnt know how to play with Harden. I know all of us here wanted Harden to defer to JLin instead of the other way around. But the reality is Harden is a better player, and the coaches made JLin defer to him. That isn't racism, that's sound basketball. JLin has finally figured it out though, i think. However,he was still passing up shots in the Bulls game. He has to just be more confident and play. He and harden can take the rockets into the playoffs, and maybe surprise someone in the first round.
Jeremy Lin hit 8-of-12 shots for 20 points, 11 assists, a steal, a block and just two turnovers in Tuesday's cakewalk over the Bulls. This was Lin's fourth double-double of the season and second in a row, and while it wasn't that long ago that we were wondering if Lin and James Harden could co-exist, the duo is on fire. The Rockets have won six of their last seven games and Lin is averaging 19 points and nine assists over his last four games. Make sure he's in your lineup going forward.
I knew he'll come around - and I still don't think his knee is 100% quite yet. Another big reason before was that Lin was used as a spot-up 3-point specialist, which he's not use to.
Wow the Rox are coming alive!! Lin and Harden are meshing, I CANT BELIEVE IM SAYING THIS ALREADY!! If we beat these next road games, I'm telling you we are developing into a championship caliber team
the split sounds good. I want the media to have balanced approach now on. No more Lin hating or jealousy by players and fans as a result of a glut coverage or over-hype (notice I didn't say hype but *over*) for ratings sake. Lin never asked for that.
I forgot to add, after watching an increasing dose of plays involving both Harden and Lin, I no longer feel any worry about the problem of them "co-existing". Now I really believe that Harden can be a legit good Lin teammate and think he can even return to his OKC-level efficiency, in a higher volume, as long as he is letting Lin run the show.
I still feel that the Rockets need a defensive stopper and more shooters off the bench. I hope Morey makes some small trades to address at the trade deadline (no big ones though as I would feel bad to mess up the current good chemistry) so that the Rocket can make a run to make the playoffs.
Let's go Jeremy and the Rockets. And again Happy Holidays to everyone here! :-D
I like when Harden sets on ball picks for Lin. This puts the defense in a bind. Sometimes they're so scared of Harden, both defenders cheat towards Harden, giving Lin a clear lane to the basket that he can easily exploit. Sometimes they switch, in which case Lin can pass to Harden and Harden can exploit the mismatch of a PG guarding him. Looking forward to seeing more of this PnR combo!
Yes. I scare morey make some bad trade that will ruin the chemistry they have right now. I feel like they might want to trade away TD. I think he and Lin actually play well together on the court if the coach use them well. So, I might not sure if they trade away TD and bring in some one else. If this team can beat okc and spur together, then I ll say maybe we are fine just the way we are now.
I actually think Harden is playing BETTER with Jeremy than he did with Russell. Harden is complimenting Jeremy's game - he will set picks for Jeremy to score. Jeremy will also set picks for Harden. kinda unlike with Westbrook running the offense, it ends mostly with KD or Westbrook himself to score..
you know the team has signed patrick beverley right? just not announced yet until he clears his physical. he fits just what you asked for, defensive stopper and attacking backup pg. I'm assuming machado gets cut or maybe toney douglas gets traded to open a roster spot.
Let them win this 14Th and let rockets still hold 6. And they can win all they want until they meet rockets then snap by rockets. That's what I wish for.
I agree. They will meet on Jan. 15. If the Clips keep on winning, their win streak might be around 20+. Then, the Rockets should try everything to END that Streak.
Chris Paul is legit, he is a m'f'kn force multiplier man. He's a one man walking momentum shift. When it happens, the Lin-Paul match up won't be about who is the better one-v-one player, but who can impose his will and shape the game.
(Paul also has the advantage of having one heck of a bench to back him up.)
I seriously doubt the Clippers will still be on their streak by the time they face Houston on Jan. 15, because that would mean they would have 24 wins in a row going into that Jan. 15 game, which would place the Clippers second on the all time list, surpassing the Rockets streak of 22 wins in a row that is currently in 2nd place all time. The previous 2nd place streak of 20 wins stood for 37 years before the Rockets took over 2nd place in 2008. In other words, it is highly unlikely that the Clippers reach a historic 24 game win streak. They have tough games between now and Jan. 15, vs Boston, at Utah, at Golden State, vs Lakers, and at Memphis. Not to mention any injuries that might occur between now and Jan. 15. Highly, highly unlikely that they get to 24. Personally I say no freaking way they get to 24 wins in a row. No way, no how!
During their 14 game streak, the Clippers beat maybe 4 or 5 decent teams, teams that are either in the playoff picture or right on the bubble (vs Minny, at Utah, at Chicago, at Milwaukee, and vs Denver). Inflaaaaaated!
They'll never make it to 24! I'll eat my hat if they do!
The only available player I like for Houston is Paul Millsap.
Unfortunately, the Rockets are doing too well for Utah to trade him to a fellow Western Conference playoff contender. They should just stay with what they have for now and then sign Millsap as a free agent in the offseason.
Millsap would be perfect for this team. A very good rebounder and defender despite his sub-par height (has long arms). Can run in transition and throw down alley-oops. Solid mid-range jumper. A true team player putting up nice all-around stats without a quality starting PG or super-heavy minutes.
Tomorrow HOU will have a back-to-back game against MIN Timberwolves. HOU record is so far 1Win - 4Losses in the backend of back-to-back games (1 W came from the recent Knicks game).
Lin and Harden played 34 and 36 minutes tonight so they won't be overly tired. KLove might be back from eye injury, Rubio just came back from ACL injury so I'd say HOU got a good chance to steal one if they can keep KLove somewhat in check.
HOU is clicking so well in the past 4 games so I'm hoping for 118-112 win. Lin's last comeback win in Feb was impressive so MIN will be ready to play with an extra edge.
If I were MIN coach, I'd be somewhat worried about Rubio's recovering ACL when guarding JLin.
I am feeling funny in predicting the outcome of these ROX games. They are so explosive and young, capable of out-gunning top notch defensive teams, and at the same time losing to sub-500 teams because they rely on 3s so much (and are so young).
This is also why Asik-Harden-Lin trio (and Greg Smith to some extend) are so important to this team, they are the few players that score mainly in the paint or from the FT for high percentage shots.
Hans, it's true that this young HOU team can be somewhat inconsistent but I feel more comfortable now that most playmaking are left to either Harden or Lin so there are fewer silly TOs when Delfino or Parsons tried to initiate plays.
And both Harden and Lin have been able to consistently penetrate to the rim so there is more spacing for the 3PT shooters to make their shots.
Apparently HOU has not beaten a team from the West on the road this season. Let's hope this changes tomorrow. I have a bad feeling about the game. I hope I am wrong!
The best Christmas gift -- Rockets won and Knicks lost. Hope Rockets keep playing well against Wolves tomorrow. Jeremy Lin -- stay healthy and play smart. Defense, Defense, Defense.
Was listening to Bulls comments...Nate Robinson described Rockets offense as "wow" and "attacked all game" and described it as something "rolling down hill and we couldn't stop them". He sincerely seemed overwhelmed.
Luol Deng was more composed, and Thib who especially blamed it on himself that he knew Rox were winning big but had no idea what that meant until today and basically caught them with their shorts around their collective ankles, its as if this loss is very very different than the loss last time around.
On national TV, I expect teams to shore up against Rockets, things will get more difficult now.
Rox is #1 in pace. I know the literal meaning of the stat, my question is what is Rockets collectively doing that makes their pace higher than everyone else?
"Rox is #1 in pace. I know the literal meaning of the stat, my question is what is Rockets collectively doing that makes their pace higher than everyone else?"
--------------------------
They run at every opportunity. Whether the opposing team misses or makes, the coaches have instructed them to run run run. That's why you see Parsons leaking out, cherry picking, and either Lin or Harden attempting quick hitter full court transition passes. The coaches know that this team is too young and inexperienced to slug it out against the halfcourt defenses consistently, so the plan is run run run, and run some more.
Getting high pace is very easy - just shoot early in the shot clock! But making it efficient and effective is another matter. It seems like the Rox make it work by
1. Having multiple ballhandlers who can push it up the court, and having two of those guys (Lin and Harden) who can do so at a very high level. A lot harder for other teams to try to slow down pace with a full court press or double teams when one of four people are capable of bringing up the ball.
2. Being willing to take risks with long full court passes before the defence can settle.
3. Being able to get stops and force turnovers at being willing to run up the moment you see the transition opportunity.
There was one point today where all the bigs ran up the court and only one guy (Lin, I think) in the backcourt... with no one to take the ball from the referee to restart play lol. Asik had to jog back.
Oh, another reason is the fact that the Rox are kind of bad at transition defence themselves, while being pretty good at defending half-court sets, which seems to suck teams into playing at the Rox pace.
- Running in transition 1: The Long Outlet Pass. Jeremy is already a MASTER of the "Hail Mary Pass" and Harden and Parsons are good at it, too. Most teams do that once or twice in a game. Rockets have been doing 3-4 times per game.
- Running in transition 2: The Harden Euro-Step. Any time the defense is even a LITTLE slow or sloppy in getting back, Harden can knife between 2-3 defenders with his Eurostep and get a whistle or layup (usually a whistle).
- Pick-and-Roll Mania: Rockets have not one but TWO superb PnR players in Harden and Lin. That means they can run a quality offensive possession with minimal setup time. Just set a decent pick and go go go!!!
No, that's not Jon Barry. That's the Bulls broadcast team. The guy who said he's "not that fast" is former Bulls player Stacey King, known as one of the most annoying and homerish announcers in the league.
I wouldn't worry about Stacey King though. He's just a huge biased homer, like 90% of the league's home announcers. Except he can get really annoying pumping up Bulls players. I'm pretty sure if Lin was a Bull he'd be riding Lin's jock just as hard as he does every Bulls player.
Rockets forward Chandler Parsons left the United Center limping, with his right knee beginning to swell.
Parsons collided with Marco Belinelli while trying to draw a charge late in the first half.
Parsons did not have problems with the knee during the game, scoring 19 of his 23 points in the second half, when he made seven of 10 shots and had four rebounds.
"I can't bend it at all now," Parsons said. "I'm going to start some rehab on the plane and start icing it."
The Rockets have forward depth behind Parsons in Delfino and Cook. I could easily see Cook starting so that Delfino continues to play superbly off the bench.
In the NBA, good coaches prefer to keep guys in their roles than do wholesale shifts when a player gets injured.
what does the signing of patrick beverley mean to the rockets? athletic attacking pg with good defensive instincts? replacement for toney? machado cut?
If any of the three Rockets rotation guards go down, then the D Leaguer Machado who felt he was a "better college player than Jeremy Lin" would get eaten alive if he got put into actual NBA games.
@via did you watch BKN v BOS and NYK v LAL? Seriously D-Will is almost as fat as Ray Ray. Looks like somebody ate too much dinner, I know its Christmas but damn lol
Honestly, the next game tomorrow vs. Minnesota is more important for playoff seeding than the Bulls. The T-Wolves are neck and neck with the Rockets for that 6th playoff spot.
The 2nd night of a back to back and an away game against a playoffs caliber team is going to be SUPER tough. If the Rockets can pull it off in this game, I would give them a much higher odds of them making the playoffs. I would also have new found respect for Lin if he could have a great game to lead the Rockets to a victory in this very tough game. I am going to be more cautious and not expect anything though. Minny are a quality opponent with many good players and a good coach
I think that Minnesota is just as beatable as Chicago was.
Minnesota doesn't have the fleet footed max contract shotblockers to challenge Lin and Harden in the midcourt. They have no defensive stoppers other than Ricky Rubio, and Lin cannot be stopped by Rubio.
The one guy that can make the game competitive is Kevin Love. He's like Larry Bird without the court sense and creativity. Love is difficult to defend because he scores from all over the court and makes it hard for defenses to help on him. However, Love is also a guy that is physically incapable of pogo sticking around the midrange to challenge shots.
When Houston starts beating the teams with max contract shotblockers like Miami or OKC or especially Portland, then I'll feel that they've really turned the corner!
Hey Damon houston, don't you want basketball opponents to KEEP believing that???
It actually takes a double or triple team to stop Jeremy Lin, and even that has become harder as the Rockets offense now looks eerily like a DAntoni spread scheme with two guards stationed on the perimeter instead of a guard and a big man running a high post UCLA scheme!
Yea but at the same time I find it so disrespectful towards Jeremy. And its was very unprofessional on their part. A biased opinion with no evidence to claim that Jeremy Lin is not even that fast.
It's not lost on anybody here that Lin's Rockets have blown out two #1 seeded Eastern Conference teams on their home courts.
What's scary is that the Rockets have played an utterly brutal schedule against future playoff opponents. Only the Denver Nuggets and their like 10 home games has had a rougher schedule, and of course Denver is a horrifically tough team.
Once the Rockets start playing the lesser opponents, the record will only get better. I predicted 50 wins for Lin's Rockets before and after the Harden trade.
Yep January looks relatively easy compared to December.
I think both LA teams will be their toughest games in January, which I'm sorry is easier than facing OKC/Spurs.
Maybe by then Rubio will be healthier for a rematch. DWill is imploding but he may wanna up his game so he doesn't get punked by JLin. Haven't followed nuggets much so I don't know how tough they are, although I'm expecting them and Minnie to fight Rox tooth and nail for the 6th spot (cause no one wants to play OKC/Spurs as 7th/8th lol).
One game I'm looking forward to is playing at Utah vs Jazz...Really want Rox to beat them on their home court.
Rox SHOULD crush everyone else...Maybe see them advance to 5th...That would be sweet.
I still can't get over the comments over the Christmas jerseys.. LOL
from ESPN boards: houstonvirus: no no no...The Rockets and OKC jerseys looked good...Even the Lakers one looked nice. Even though I'd use the OKC and Lakers jerseys as a skeet rag haha domo88882: knicks players look like carrots running around on court.. hurt my eyes... houstonvirus: they wore them so you could easily see how bad they are
Jeremy Lin's shooting percentage is up to 43% now. That's respectable, especially with his production. Great to see his shooting percentage up. Those articles I've come across bashing JLin loved to cite his field goal percentage as a really bad sign (since in reality his stats were pretty decent).
That $15 million in Lin's 3rd year might be a total BARGAIN by itself if Lin continues to play at the MAX CONTRACT LEVEL he's been doing the last few games!
Wow! Man, I can not believe the Rockets are jelly and playing well so quickly. I knew that they were going to get better and progress slowly as the season went on. But to see the Rockets explode on teams like they are doing the past few games, unbelievably great! JLin not only is progressing, he turned the corner and it's like day and night out there. Also, the chemistry between him and Harden is happening a lot faster than I thought it would.
If they keep this up, they will be the most dangerous team in the league! Is it too crazy to think they can even beat OKC!? I'm starting to believe! :) Just wow!
What will all the Jlin critics say now? he had a great game against the knicks, spurs, grizzlies, and now the bulls. I guess whne he has a bad day which is only human, the critics will be busy again.
Side note, did u see all the ice on JLin at the end of the game?
The more Lin plays like this the more painful it is for the Jon Barry's, SAS's, and 90% of mainstream America. They will all have egg on their face eventually. Lin just got shortchanged his entire career and nobody will accept that aside from us on here. Jon Barry called Lin "heady" at game's end which is a back-handed compliment people give to unathletic and limited players. If it's so easy to be heady in the NBA, why isn't there more of it around the league? Why can't Steve Blakes and Pablo P's of the world just play like Lin?
I truly believe Barry believes any decent white player can play like Lin but Lin just got lucky and got a chance to play because he is an Asian novelty. I got that vibe from Doug Gottlieb too last year. They were both very obvious about it on TV, almost incredulous. Gottlieb compared his career to Lin and said he just never got the chances Lin did and limited his praise of Lin to taking advantage of his chance to shine.
Lin will probably have to play a whole season like the last 4 games and win the NBA crown or play out of this world in a losing effort this year before he is recognized quite honestly. The crazy thing is he IS CAPABLE OF DOING IT!
What happened against the Bulls and other teams are that the other teams are now playing Lin regularly like any other Mike Conley/Jrue Holiday . They are no longer game planning for Linsanity. The crazy schemes to stop Lin are no more.
The better teams like OKC, Miami, will force and trap Lin and Harden like mad and dare Morris and Parsons and Asik/Smith to score down on the block. Funny thing is Morris and Parsons are good enough 3 point shooters to run up the score with the 3 ball. And Asik is effective just enough while Smith hits 60-70% of his 6 to 10 shots per game!
Morris has shown he is legit with his shooting and hustle. I'd prefer he play 40 minutes any day over Patterson unless PPat comes back like a man possessed. Otherwise PPat should be a 3rd string PF behind Smith.
It was obvious the Rockets would be a 6th-8th seed. Many said so before the season. I knew it too as you know Lin hits open guys with the pass. People are still concerned they won't make the playoffs. Barring injury to Lin Harden Asik, they will make the playoffs 100%.
I still see teams trapping Lin, riding his back with the small guard while jamming him in the midrange with one or two big men.
However, teams are now tentative in their traps because the other Rockets have stepped up their game BIG TIME.
This allows Lin to hold the ball after the trap shows itself and then disappears to scramble to cover the deadly Houston scorers (practically the whole team). Lin then can break down his man in single coverage after the trap is gone.
The only teams that can stop Houston's offense are the contender squads with max contract shotblocking forwards that have the footspeed of guards. This is where having a pin down halfcourt isolation post up forward (not necessarily a power forward) would help.
I do know one such player who would utterly turn around his career and is available for the right price:
Michael Beasley of the Suns (aka "Carmelo Lite").
Beasley is the modern day Mark Aguirre: not that tall, not that tough, but can score from all over the court and doesn't always have his head on straight.
On the Rockets, Beasley would be an All Star. If Lin can transform friggin Marcus Morris (!!!) into a player, imagine what Lin could do with Beasley!
Completely agree with everything above. Yes Beasley would be a fantastic undervalued pickup. He's a potentially better version of Morris. With Houston, he could shine as another scoring weapon. It'd be nice if the Suns were dumb enough to trade him over. Luckily his value in the NBA is dirt, so it could happen.
Again, I believe if the dominos fall the right way, the NBA will truly rig a Houston/Knicks finals. Both teams have to play well on their own for this to happen, but critical foul calls in close games will go those team's way if it becomes close to reality.
Houston will need to play some team like GSW in round 1 or 2 to gain confidence and to avoid playing OKC Clips & Lakers/Spurs.
I actually fear the Knicks abiilty to beat Miami more than I fear Rox ability to beat OKC. Think about it. The playoffs could become about Lin beating GSW as revenge, Harden beating OKC as revenge, and Rox playing Lakers or Clips in the Western Finals in an exciting series. Then Linsanity v. Carmelo in the finals.
This is David Stern's last year. Don't discount it. The NBA manufactures drama more than anything.
Still not a believer in the Knicks. Like a used car, after so many miles, things start to fall apart. It may look like new and sound like new for the first few months. After that, it needs constant towing to the repair shop.
Yes I too think the Knicks are a complete mirage filled with average role players in the backcourt. Their only real guard is JR Smith right now. But I don't believe they will implode before the playoffs. They could be a first round flameout but I have a feeling they will at least make round 2 if not the Eastern Finals to meet with Miami.
People are afraid of Rox losing to Spurs/OKC. I think it should be the other way around. Sadly Parsons is out which will hurt them, but as long as Asik Lin Harden are in and playing well, that is enough with Delfino/Morris/Smith/TD to round out everything.
Don't discount Parsons and Morris who pass to Lin/look for him/ and allow Lin to reset often enough. Delfino can go rogue when he's not hot, and Cook is a poor man's Jodie Meeks at best right now.
As long as PPat is not playing, I'm happy with how things are going, and very happy Mchale is no longer playing Aldrich (whom I like) over Smith (who I like better) and Cook (whom I dont like).
Call me an optimist, but believe it or not I fully expect Rockets to make 5th seed in the west.
If so you just may see Rockets in the finals, if they find ways to deal with Ibaka and Duncan.
I guess they call it the wild west for a reason, I definitely don't see Clippers holding #1 or Warriors staying 5th, BOTH their schedules were cake compared to Rockets and we managed 6th. I'm still convinced Lakers with a healthy Nash will go far, and expect Griz to be top 6.
He predicted Lin would be GREAT this summer, just like we fans did:
"I think he's going to be a great addition for the team," Alexander said. "I think he's going to be a great player in the league - very good to great. It was very risky and very hard to do. It worked out in our favor, thank God"
Also, Les ADMITS ERROR. This what he said about cutting Jeremy Lin:
"“I made a mistake the first time,” Alexander said. “(Morey) said we were going to release Jeremy. He said he was a very good third guard, and someday could be a good second guard, and I should have done a little more homework.”
Les Alexander knows exactly how good Jeremy Lin is. As long as Les knows, Lin is virtually untouchable.
Wow, I did not know Les actually called out Morey like that if that's an actual quote and threw him under the bus a little bit. He pretty much said Morey dropped the ball completely on Lin and that he placed too much trust in Morey's judgment.
Morey, like any employee who is good at moving up the ladder and/or keeping his job, probably toots his own horn all the time and tells Les how great of a GM he is in various ways. And dropping the ball on Lin was probably the exact type of thing Morey probably told Les would never happen under his watch in comparison to other GM's around the league.
Lin could average 18/9 for 5 years on this team, and people like Barry's etc of the world will just do what I already know they will do - give credit to Harden for freeing up role players like Lin, and also give credit to Mchale's system, and other players on the team who end up stepping up, or simply blame other teams for being incompetent over a 5 year period.
Lin has been lucky there have been Lacobs and now Les A. who believe in giving Lin a chance in the NBA. But he also delivers to help them look smart.
This is why I don't care about what comes out of Daryl Morey's mouth. I view Morey as Alexander's CASHIER!
Les is the sole decisionmaker on the Rockets. That's why Lin's going nowhere unless the Heat offer Lebron - and Les even hinted that he might still prefer Lin over Lebron!!!!
I think OKC is going to be extremely surprised when they face this new backcourt. If they insist on just trapping Harden all game with Westbrook insisting on beating Lin they are going to pay dearly.
Good Job Lin, Rockets!
ReplyDeleteLin...is ballin'! This is looking like a trend now. Keep it up Lin! That was awesome to watch!
ReplyDeleteLast 4 games averaging 18.8 ppg on 58.8% shooting, 9.0 assists, 1.5 steals.
DeleteCan't wait for a looonnngg highlights!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Lin and company on an awesome win!
ReplyDeleteThat's four straight great games. Memphis and Chicago are two of the best defenses, too.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget he's still cold from 3pt range -- he can play even better than this. Man, if/when Jeremy becomes a solid 3pt shooter...he's going to be scary. I'm talking CP3-level.
If the Rockets decide to add a big man before the deadline, it should be someone complementary and not a "big name star." Not Cousins. Not even Love (I've soured on his attitude). Someone like Millsap who can finish above the rim and be a glue-guy. Great value salary-wise, too.
What about Amare?
DeleteI'd be so mad if there's a trade for Cousins.
DeleteAmare's contract is just awful. Not worth it.
I prefer management save the money for raises to give to players like Parson, and Smith when their contracts are due. Currently, Houston is playing pretty good together. I don't see trading for player like Cousins will be a good idea.
DeleteI agree Millsap is the best value for a big man who can score consistently, play some defense and has no "me-first" attitude problems. He is a bit of an upgrade over Morris now but perhaps Morris will develop even better.
DeleteAl Jefferson might also work too and he is bigger so he can play C or PF.
Cousins scared me with his attitude problems, just like Royce White did.
Amare plays no defense and is too expensive.
Josh Smith is athletic but has low BB IQ.
I say no to more established players with character issues that will ruin the chemistry of HOU young team.
If anything, they should develop their young players in 2-3 years and try to bring in cheap veteran player (i.e. Jared Jeffries) to bring leadership to the locker room during playoff run.
If the Rockets trade for DeMarcus Cousins, I'd be OK with that.
DeleteKevin McHale is a TOUGH coach who will teach Cousins how to be a better big NBA big man. Plus, Cousins doesn't strike me as a bad guy. He's out of control and emotionally unstable, but I feel that McHale and especially Lin would get him under control.
I honestly think Lin and Harden would control Cousins just like Jordan and Pippen controlled Rodman in Chicago. I remember that one time when Rodman started to get into a fight with somebody and Scottie Pippen TACKLED Rodman, sending both teammates to the floor!
Or maybe a better comparison for Lin taming Cousins would be Tim Duncan taming Stephen Jackson on the Spurs.
Sweet win all around. With the pending signing of Beverly at PG, anyone care to guess who is in and who is out going forward?
ReplyDeletewhen will Bev join the team? hope this guy's a good facilitator, to give Jeremy enough rests during the game.
DeleteMachado or Cook are the most likely candidates to get moved or sent to the D-league to make room for Beverly.
DeleteSomeone has to get dropped from roster to keep roster at 15. Even if folks are sent to D-league, they still count on their roster.
Delete@JLinfan#1
ReplyDeleteThanks for all you do for this site. The recent thread management has been wonderful.
@2(wiffle)
re: you post game recap
1) "Man, how good was Asik tonight?"
He was incredible. Granted he had extra incentive, but like so many other parts of the Rox machine I really think he is just beginning to untap his potential. I love Yao to death, but it has been a *long* time since we had a center who can run.
2)"You know Lin's having a good game whenever you see him getting swatted hard to the ground."
I still hate that. I want him to last a long time. Nevertheless, I am not longer on the refs for not giving him any respect. His first "turnover" (the fast break) involved significant contact IMO. I think the ref knew it too; very next play Noah gets called for the offensive on Lin (yeah, it was a sloppy screen, but off the ball that stuff happens all the time, so it's nice to get recognized once in awhile).
3) "People say he is overrated"
Who, CP? I've never seen *any* of that :)
Now that Lin has started getting some calls, it's time CP does as well. I can tell it drives him crazy too; the way he goes after refs after he's fouled I'm always afraid of a technical.
Couple of additional thoughts:
Sometime mid November I started thinking that MM should start. After tonight, Memphis, really since PPat went down, I'm convinced of it. Being old school, McHale won't do it right away when PPat gets back, but we'll see...
Is it fair to mark game #20 as the start of Linsanity chapter 2? We're 6-2, riding a 4 game win streak, climbing up the offensive ratings, defensive ratings (even transition defense ranking!). Lin is confident and completely involved, Harden is performing the same with more sustainable minutes... it's good to be a Rockets fan.
Merry Christmas everyone.
@nom Regarding CP - heh. :) I think this site is the only place where I have ever seen people say his defence is overrated. His offence is still streaky though. And he really doesn't get much in the way of foul calls, I didn't notice that until you pointed it out. Harden should give the Rox a training camp on how to get fouls...
DeleteWow, what a fun holiday gift to fans from JLin!
ReplyDeleteThe Rockets have a winning record (6-2) ever since the LinSpurts, which is a term that refers to the December 10, 2012 Rockets vs. Spurs game, in which Jeremy Lin's production sprouted because either he took it upon himself to play PG or the coach McHale allowed him to in the absence of James Harden (many fans believe in was likely the latter). The Rockets lost the Spurs game, but it shou
Lin was originally signed as a PG during the 2012 Summer free agency. However, it was widely reported that Rockets' "basketball minds" weren't happy about signing Lin. And general managers and other coaches around the league with whom McHale had talked to reported that McHale was so irate that this will be his last year coaching for the Rockets.
Lets hope that McHale keeps his word. His assistant coach Sampson must go as well, because he coached and benched Jeremy Lin just like McHale while he acted ass the head coach during McHale's leave of absence.
LOL are people never gonna get off Mchale and Sampson's case? McHale so far has probably been the best NBA coach Lin has had! (yes, even better than D'Antoni because his relentless and selfish usage of Lin was always going to lead to an early retirement for our Harvard Hero).
DeleteIn terms are basketball coaching, it was a crappy and racist misconduct. It is still fresh in the minds of many people because it has only been 15 days ago. However, don't worry (You're apparently a kind fellow), it will fairly soon be forgotten. Time always forgets and heals, not to mention that people have short memory.
DeleteCoaches just care about winning. They live and die on winning. Their jobs are dependent on how much the team they coach win. Any other theory is completely manufactured.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete@whifflewhiffle
DeleteD'Antoni didn't overuse Lin since:
- Lin is young and wanted to play those minutes.
- The coach didn't have much choice because too many PGs were injured.
- The injury to Lin's knee most probably happened because of the Kidd's cheap shot.
- Player can have more severe injury than what Lin had even when they NEVER play more than 20 minutes per game.
Also, if Lin didn't play heavy minutes during Linsanity, he wouldn't have taken off quite as spectacular a fashion like he did, because as a virtual rookie Lin said "a lot of holes in my game". He still helped the team win a lot of games with those holes in his game though. This year, Lin has already improved his game quantum leap (minus jump shot earlier) as one would expect, just from getting more practice and experience.
well if McHale decides to go then good riddance. I'm sure TONS of good coaches would like to come and develop these unselfish players.
Delete@Bamboo Forest
DeleteIt's true that coaches just care about winning - And they absolutely must because it's their job. However, stop with the false intellectual BS about my theory being "completely manufactured" because it's not a theory, but rather a power of simple observation that was clearly observable to even morons (morons are just shy of average). The Rockets lost way too many games when Lin wasn't given the chance to play PG, which is what he was signed for. But the coaches clearly agreed with Wo_dson and Car_elo and the bozo type of pundits that Lin isn't a starter caliber, instead of looking at Lin's stats, facts and circumstances. The facts and circumstances were: 1) Lin played for a new team. 2) Lin was thrown into a learn-as-you-go sink or swim situation, as a virtual rookie. 3) The truncated schedule left little room for practice in between games. 4) Lin had to play for 2 different coaches and 2 different roles. 5) Lin's playing minutes had been drastically cut with the coach change. 6) Lin's teammates were sabotaging games once the captain came back in the lineup until the coach change.
The above mentioned circumstances were the reason for Lin's "steep drop off" in production. McHales' and Sampson's wrong perception aside (many people had the same misperception after all), Mr Alexander signed Lin as a *STARTING* *PG*, not as a spot-up shooter with not yet 100% rehabbed knee! It's better than never, but the credit goes to Jeremy Lin himself because Lin played the PG role in that Spurs game. (Not the case prior to that, which is why I believe Lin smartly ignored the coach when Harden was out. And I believe that game was, is, and will be the exception, just because Lin is of a high character). That was the case of God helping Lin because Lin helped himself. I recall seeing Lin looking mad a few times as if to say "See, I can play. Give me a fighting chance, ye of little faith and racists".
If Jeremy can survive McHale, Jeremy can survive any other coach. It doesn't matter for me
DeleteI just disagree with you on such a fundamental level that it is impossible for me to fully explicate. I and a few other people here (such as KHuang) were always on-board with McHale from the start. I also don't think it is "a power of simple observation" that McHale was simply motivated by racism. Serious charges require serious evidence and that has not been the case. We are talking about a tiny, tiny sample size. Moreover, I have been emphatic that it was clear that Lin was clearly not fully fit at the start of the season, and it was not reasonable to expect Lin to play at a high usage rate.
DeleteAs KHuang emphasised, and to some extent Wilc did in other observations, the Rockets have all been thrust into positions they are unfamiliar with. Lin had to force himself to try to improve his spot up shooting, Asik had to step up his offensive game, Parsons had to deal with increased ball-handling, and so on. Is it really a matter of racism or completely inept coaching, or hard love? We will never know.
But I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt.
Whatever it was at the beginning, it is clear that McHale has been won over by Lin. He may have had doubts, but he is fully onboard now. Compare that to Woodson, who never truly trusted Lin even as Lin produced wonders for him and his predecessor. A man can make mistakes. But not many people learn to rectify them.
It didn't have that much to do with usage rate, but how he was used and what position he was asked to play and the manner he was benched and how much he was benched and when he was benched.
DeleteA part of your statement is one of the points I'm talking about: "Lin was clearly not fully fit at the start of the season" - So then why have him play a spot-up jump shooter???!!! That's one of the worse thing to have him do in that case.
The fact that "I and a few other people here (such as KHuang) were always on-board with McHale from the start." doesn't make you right or make me wrong. A lot of people agree with me (I read other forums) and I didn't use that reasoning as a some sort of proof that I must be right. SMH.
How is being a spot up jump shooter the worst role for a person who is not physically at his best? You really have to explain that to me.
DeleteAs for your last paragraph, I never said it makes me right. I am just pointing out the fact we don't agree with you doesn't make me, Bamboo or KHuang idiots.
I might be an idiot but not for that reason anyway ;)
Also, Lin has had 6 coaching changes in one year. McHale - D'Antoni - Woodson - McHale - Sampson - McHale. I don't know about you but the last thing I want is another damned coaching change where Lin has to win the trust of the man YET AGAIN just because you are convinced that McHale is a racist.
DeleteFrom the beginning, I have said that McHale is a "great player coach".
DeleteWhat that means is that McHale gives ALL of his guys total freedom when they get into games, including total bench scrubs.
At the same time however, McHale has a responsibility to win games and develop players. It has become apparent to me that he's a "tough love" coach that will force guys to work on their game by shifting around their responsibilities on the court. Whether or not that's McHale or the assistants, it matters not to me because McHale is the head coach.
At the beginning of the season, nobody knew what the young Rockets could do. The only known quantity was James Harden, especially since Lin was getting back in shape. But the Rockets offense has been changed around from a post heavy lane clogging trench battle to a spread offense with power forwards often deployed at the 3 point line to open up driving lanes for Lin.
Now that McHale has found a "style that works", Lin is soaring like he never has before. Not even jn Linsanity was Lin playing this well. Kudos to McHale for transforming Lin the way he transformed Lowry and Dragic.
Lets say you all were spot on McHale's and Sanpson's good intention in developing JLin's game, then please explain to me the countless questionable substitution patterns. Benched JLin the minute he lit up; benched JLin when the game was on the line. Benched JLin when ge made a good play. Benched JLin when he made a bad play; heck bench JLin all 4th quarter. If that's what you call developing a player's skill and confidence, then you all acquired some intelligence that I'm lacking.
DeleteYeah, it's called HOLDING LIN ACCOUNTABLE.
DeleteBesides, Lin averaged 30 minutes a game and played less only when Toney Douglas got hot (which I don't disagree with either).
Now if the Rockets coaches had Lin averaging 20 minutes a game and brought him off the bench, then I'd be crying foul louder than all of you.
But 30 minutes a game? No sympathy from me for Lin playing STARTER minutes!!!
Oh yeah.
DeleteEndless substitution patterns are APPROPRIATE for a team with like 13 new players!!!
Besides, it took that long for Les Alexander (er, I mean McHale) to implement the fast paced offense that looks suspiciously like the old Boston Celtics Red Auerbach fast break offense that McHale learned how to play as a rookie alongside Celtics coach Bill Fitch!
@ztrta I still dont understand why so many on this blog blames JLin's initial problems on Harden, and the coaches. I think it was clearly evident that JLin wasn't in the best shape coming off surgery and showed when he played poorly in pre-season.
DeleteIn addition JLin didnt know how to play with Harden. I know all of us here wanted Harden to defer to JLin instead of the other way around. But the reality is Harden is a better player, and the coaches made JLin defer to him. That isn't racism, that's sound basketball.
JLin has finally figured it out though, i think. However,he was still passing up shots in the Bulls game. He has to just be more confident and play. He and harden can take the rockets into the playoffs, and maybe surprise someone in the first round.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rotoworld.com/player/nba/1772/jeremy-lin :
ReplyDeleteJeremy Lin hit 8-of-12 shots for 20 points, 11 assists, a steal, a block and just two turnovers in Tuesday's cakewalk over the Bulls.
This was Lin's fourth double-double of the season and second in a row, and while it wasn't that long ago that we were wondering if Lin and James Harden could co-exist, the duo is on fire. The Rockets have won six of their last seven games and Lin is averaging 19 points and nine assists over his last four games. Make sure he's in your lineup going forward.
and shooting 59% from the field.
DeleteWowzie, Yikes! A talented Harvard boy!
DeleteI knew he'll come around - and I still don't think his knee is 100% quite yet. Another big reason before was that Lin was used as a spot-up 3-point specialist, which he's not use to.
J-LIN HIGHLIGHTS via footwearfoot:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8IdpWxchG8
Wow the Rox are coming alive!! Lin and Harden are meshing, I CANT BELIEVE IM SAYING THIS ALREADY!! If we beat these next road games, I'm telling you we are developing into a championship caliber team
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how the nba.com highlights seemed designed to make JHarden look good,
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2012/12/25/0021200408-hou-chi-recap.nba/index.html
and the espn.com highlights seemed designed to make JLin look good,
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?categoryId=2459789&id=8779959
And both of them end with some good takes of Asik. Well, they all did well tonight. =)
Thanks for those. I'll go watch.
Deletethe split sounds good. I want the media to have balanced approach now on. No more Lin hating or jealousy by players and fans as a result of a glut coverage or over-hype (notice I didn't say hype but *over*) for ratings sake. Lin never asked for that.
I forgot to add, after watching an increasing dose of plays involving both Harden and Lin, I no longer feel any worry about the problem of them "co-existing". Now I really believe that Harden can be a legit good Lin teammate and think he can even return to his OKC-level efficiency, in a higher volume, as long as he is letting Lin run the show.
ReplyDeleteI still feel that the Rockets need a defensive stopper and more shooters off the bench. I hope Morey makes some small trades to address at the trade deadline (no big ones though as I would feel bad to mess up the current good chemistry) so that the Rocket can make a run to make the playoffs.
Let's go Jeremy and the Rockets. And again Happy Holidays to everyone here! :-D
I like when Harden sets on ball picks for Lin. This puts the defense in a bind. Sometimes they're so scared of Harden, both defenders cheat towards Harden, giving Lin a clear lane to the basket that he can easily exploit. Sometimes they switch, in which case Lin can pass to Harden and Harden can exploit the mismatch of a PG guarding him. Looking forward to seeing more of this PnR combo!
DeleteYes. I scare morey make some bad trade that will ruin the chemistry they have right now. I feel like they might want to trade away TD. I think he and Lin actually play well together on the court if the coach use them well. So, I might not sure if they trade away TD and bring in some one else. If this team can beat okc and spur together, then I ll say maybe we are fine just the way we are now.
DeleteI actually think Harden is playing BETTER with Jeremy than he did with Russell. Harden is complimenting Jeremy's game - he will set picks for Jeremy to score. Jeremy will also set picks for Harden. kinda unlike with Westbrook running the offense, it ends mostly with KD or Westbrook himself to score..
Deleteyou know the team has signed patrick beverley right? just not announced yet until he clears his physical. he fits just what you asked for, defensive stopper and attacking backup pg. I'm assuming machado gets cut or maybe toney douglas gets traded to open a roster spot.
DeleteI don't necessarily think Beverly is here to replace anybody.
DeleteI actually think that he's insurance in case one of the Rockets guards gets knocked out by injury.
Say Toney Douglas sprains his ankle. Right now, who would play his minutes at point? No one, as Machado simply isn't NBA caliber.
Hrm Nuggets within 9 now vs Clippers...Outscoring 29-19 so far 3rd quarter...
ReplyDeleteGoodness...14th win if Clippers win this one...Significance? We hold 6th if Nuggets lose, and 7th if they win, that's all :P
Let them win this 14Th and let rockets still hold 6. And they can win all they want until they meet rockets then snap by rockets. That's what I wish for.
DeleteI agree. They will meet on Jan. 15. If the Clips keep on winning, their win streak might be around 20+. Then, the Rockets should try everything to END that Streak.
Delete@neph Rockets have pretty good record for breaking record and streak so far this season
Delete[Clippers 14]
DeleteTrue about Rox ending opponents' streaks. :)
Chris Paul is legit, he is a m'f'kn force multiplier man. He's a one man walking momentum shift. When it happens, the Lin-Paul match up won't be about who is the better one-v-one player, but who can impose his will and shape the game.
Delete(Paul also has the advantage of having one heck of a bench to back him up.)
I seriously doubt the Clippers will still be on their streak by the time they face Houston on Jan. 15, because that would mean they would have 24 wins in a row going into that Jan. 15 game, which would place the Clippers second on the all time list, surpassing the Rockets streak of 22 wins in a row that is currently in 2nd place all time. The previous 2nd place streak of 20 wins stood for 37 years before the Rockets took over 2nd place in 2008. In other words, it is highly unlikely that the Clippers reach a historic 24 game win streak. They have tough games between now and Jan. 15, vs Boston, at Utah, at Golden State, vs Lakers, and at Memphis. Not to mention any injuries that might occur between now and Jan. 15. Highly, highly unlikely that they get to 24. Personally I say no freaking way they get to 24 wins in a row. No way, no how!
DeleteDuring their 14 game streak, the Clippers beat maybe 4 or 5 decent teams, teams that are either in the playoff picture or right on the bubble (vs Minny, at Utah, at Chicago, at Milwaukee, and vs Denver). Inflaaaaaated!
DeleteThey'll never make it to 24! I'll eat my hat if they do!
NBA Players Most Likely to Be Traded
ReplyDeleteThe only available player I like for Houston is Paul Millsap.
DeleteUnfortunately, the Rockets are doing too well for Utah to trade him to a fellow Western Conference playoff contender. They should just stay with what they have for now and then sign Millsap as a free agent in the offseason.
Millsap would be perfect for this team. A very good rebounder and defender despite his sub-par height (has long arms). Can run in transition and throw down alley-oops. Solid mid-range jumper. A true team player putting up nice all-around stats without a quality starting PG or super-heavy minutes.
Tomorrow HOU will have a back-to-back game against MIN Timberwolves.
ReplyDeleteHOU record is so far 1Win - 4Losses in the backend of back-to-back games (1 W came from the recent Knicks game).
Lin and Harden played 34 and 36 minutes tonight so they won't be overly tired. KLove might be back from eye injury, Rubio just came back from ACL injury so I'd say HOU got a good chance to steal one if they can keep KLove somewhat in check.
HOU is clicking so well in the past 4 games so I'm hoping for 118-112 win. Lin's last comeback win in Feb was impressive so MIN will be ready to play with an extra edge.
If I were MIN coach, I'd be somewhat worried about Rubio's recovering ACL when guarding JLin.
Rubio's minutes has been limited. So, I don't expect him to play 30 minutes or more.
DeleteI am feeling funny in predicting the outcome of these ROX games. They are so explosive and young, capable of out-gunning top notch defensive teams, and at the same time losing to sub-500 teams because they rely on 3s so much (and are so young).
DeleteThis is also why Asik-Harden-Lin trio (and Greg Smith to some extend) are so important to this team, they are the few players that score mainly in the paint or from the FT for high percentage shots.
So it will be Ridnour or JJ Barea, who are good matchups for Lin.
DeleteBarea is pretty quick so Lin might need to post-up some more.
MIN is 8th in the standing so this is an important game for the playoff positioning.
Hans, it's true that this young HOU team can be somewhat inconsistent but I feel more comfortable now that most playmaking are left to either Harden or Lin so there are fewer silly TOs when Delfino or Parsons tried to initiate plays.
DeleteAnd both Harden and Lin have been able to consistently penetrate to the rim so there is more spacing for the 3PT shooters to make their shots.
Apparently HOU has not beaten a team from the West on the road this season. Let's hope this changes tomorrow. I have a bad feeling about the game. I hope I am wrong!
DeleteIf Rockets win tomorrow:
DeleteRockets: 16-12
Timberwolves: 13-13
It will add to their lead in the standings.
Now, they got to catch up the 18-10 Golden State Warriors.
The best Christmas gift -- Rockets won and Knicks lost.
ReplyDeleteHope Rockets keep playing well against Wolves tomorrow.
Jeremy Lin -- stay healthy and play smart. Defense, Defense, Defense.
Was listening to Bulls comments...Nate Robinson described Rockets offense as "wow" and "attacked all game" and described it as something "rolling down hill and we couldn't stop them". He sincerely seemed overwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteLuol Deng was more composed, and Thib who especially blamed it on himself that he knew Rox were winning big but had no idea what that meant until today and basically caught them with their shorts around their collective ankles, its as if this loss is very very different than the loss last time around.
On national TV, I expect teams to shore up against Rockets, things will get more difficult now.
Oh btw copying from previous thread:
http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats/_/sort/paceFactor
Rox is #1 in pace. I know the literal meaning of the stat, my question is what is Rockets collectively doing that makes their pace higher than everyone else?
"Rox is #1 in pace. I know the literal meaning of the stat, my question is what is Rockets collectively doing that makes their pace higher than everyone else?"
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They run at every opportunity. Whether the opposing team misses or makes, the coaches have instructed them to run run run. That's why you see Parsons leaking out, cherry picking, and either Lin or Harden attempting quick hitter full court transition passes. The coaches know that this team is too young and inexperienced to slug it out against the halfcourt defenses consistently, so the plan is run run run, and run some more.
Getting high pace is very easy - just shoot early in the shot clock! But making it efficient and effective is another matter. It seems like the Rox make it work by
Delete1. Having multiple ballhandlers who can push it up the court, and having two of those guys (Lin and Harden) who can do so at a very high level. A lot harder for other teams to try to slow down pace with a full court press or double teams when one of four people are capable of bringing up the ball.
2. Being willing to take risks with long full court passes before the defence can settle.
3. Being able to get stops and force turnovers at being willing to run up the moment you see the transition opportunity.
There was one point today where all the bigs ran up the court and only one guy (Lin, I think) in the backcourt... with no one to take the ball from the referee to restart play lol. Asik had to jog back.
Oh, another reason is the fact that the Rox are kind of bad at transition defence themselves, while being pretty good at defending half-court sets, which seems to suck teams into playing at the Rox pace.
DeleteIn my opinion:
Delete- Running in transition 1: The Long Outlet Pass. Jeremy is already a MASTER of the "Hail Mary Pass" and Harden and Parsons are good at it, too. Most teams do that once or twice in a game. Rockets have been doing 3-4 times per game.
- Running in transition 2: The Harden Euro-Step. Any time the defense is even a LITTLE slow or sloppy in getting back, Harden can knife between 2-3 defenders with his Eurostep and get a whistle or layup (usually a whistle).
- Pick-and-Roll Mania: Rockets have not one but TWO superb PnR players in Harden and Lin. That means they can run a quality offensive possession with minimal setup time. Just set a decent pick and go go go!!!
That PnR point is a really good one!
DeleteHere's an article that goes into more detail on why the Rockets are playing at such a high pace:
Deletehttp://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/12/running-to-wins-was-rockets%E2%80%99-plan-all-along/
Asik: "We don’t care... how many points we are down or ... up. We just want to attack and play faster than the other team."
DeleteBut Rockets rarely set two screens at a time to really free up the shooters/ball handler.
DeleteJLin + Team vs Bulls - 12/25/12
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Deletehey :)
Delete"Jeremy Lin is not that fast". "Exactly"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSwXuSquDjQ
Granted he wasn't that fast there, but dang these guys must be using some high tech stereotype inducing glasses designed by Spock.
A bulls commentator. probably their local channel
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteNo, that's not Jon Barry. That's the Bulls broadcast team. The guy who said he's "not that fast" is former Bulls player Stacey King, known as one of the most annoying and homerish announcers in the league.
DeleteI wouldn't worry about Stacey King though. He's just a huge biased homer, like 90% of the league's home announcers. Except he can get really annoying pumping up Bulls players. I'm pretty sure if Lin was a Bull he'd be riding Lin's jock just as hard as he does every Bulls player.
DeleteFor example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlGk2PeF7fM
IMO it's best just to chuckle at his foolishness and move on.
Haha, these are actually some nice commentaries. Watching home broadcasts, I actually wouldn't mind some homerisms like that.
DeleteParsons hurt his knee.
ReplyDeletehttp://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/12/for-jeremy-lin-a-year-later-a-much-better-way-to-spend-christmas/
Parsons’ knee worsens after win
Rockets forward Chandler Parsons left the United Center limping, with his right knee beginning to swell.
Parsons collided with Marco Belinelli while trying to draw a charge late in the first half.
Parsons did not have problems with the knee during the game, scoring 19 of his 23 points in the second half, when he made seven of 10 shots and had four rebounds.
"I can't bend it at all now," Parsons said. "I'm going to start some rehab on the plane and start icing it."
Uh oh if Parsons can't play vs. Minny.
That is not good. My heart can't take more than 30 minutes of Delfino
DeleteDelfino with his Kobe impersonation.
Deleteoh no! hope Parsons gonna be ok. McHale will probably slide Harden to SF while TD will be SG. hope TD has BURNING hand tomorrow and shoot 3s
DeleteLet CP rest. Its easy just shift Mook Morris to SF then start either D-MO, T-Jones, or G-Smith
DeleteI'm not worried about Parsons' injury at all.
DeleteThe Rockets have forward depth behind Parsons in Delfino and Cook. I could easily see Cook starting so that Delfino continues to play superbly off the bench.
In the NBA, good coaches prefer to keep guys in their roles than do wholesale shifts when a player gets injured.
Ever since he left Utah, he has regressed so much.
ReplyDeleteMaybe having Jerry Sloan as a coach really helps.
"@BillSimmons
ReplyDeletePredicted on TV before this Bulls-Rockets game that the Bulls D would easily handle Houston's gimmick offense... I have a lot of regrets."
8:38 PM - 25 Dec 12
Suck it Bill Simmons, your sweater sucks
Deletenot to mention D-WILL have been going out with Rar Ray Fell for food trip around New York everyday
ReplyDelete@Rikki - Maybe that's how he got it in his head Felton is better than JLin...
ReplyDelete---
D'Alessandro: Nets' Deron Williams resting on his laurels - and fat wallet
Still trying to process (and savor) how bad an a$$whoopin that was. Man, watching the highlights, the Rockets really stomped a mudhole in that a$$!
ReplyDeleteFour of the starters scored 20+ points! What a balanced team annihilation of a highly ranked defense.
Savor every win folks! Especially when they're like this one!
They got the fans booing the Bulls at home on Christmas...
DeleteScored 121 pts vs Griz [#1 DefEff]
DeleteScored 120 pts vs Bulls [#4 DefEff]
what does the signing of patrick beverley mean to the rockets? athletic attacking pg with good defensive instincts? replacement for toney? machado cut?
ReplyDeleteProlly Machado...
DeletePatrick Beverley
DeleteHealth insurance.
DeleteIf any of the three Rockets rotation guards go down, then the D Leaguer Machado who felt he was a "better college player than Jeremy Lin" would get eaten alive if he got put into actual NBA games.
@via did you watch BKN v BOS and NYK v LAL? Seriously D-Will is almost as fat as Ray Ray. Looks like somebody ate too much dinner, I know its Christmas but damn lol
ReplyDeleteMaybe he thought black is slimming anyway...[goes back for 3rd helpings.] ;P
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the next game tomorrow vs. Minnesota is more important for playoff seeding than the Bulls. The T-Wolves are neck and neck with the Rockets for that 6th playoff spot.
ReplyDeletePreview: Houston Rockets [15-12] @ Minnesota Timberwolves [13-12]
DeleteThe 2nd night of a back to back and an away game against a playoffs caliber team is going to be SUPER tough. If the Rockets can pull it off in this game, I would give them a much higher odds of them making the playoffs. I would also have new found respect for Lin if he could have a great game to lead the Rockets to a victory in this very tough game. I am going to be more cautious and not expect anything though. Minny are a quality opponent with many good players and a good coach
DeleteI think that Minnesota is just as beatable as Chicago was.
DeleteMinnesota doesn't have the fleet footed max contract shotblockers to challenge Lin and Harden in the midcourt. They have no defensive stoppers other than Ricky Rubio, and Lin cannot be stopped by Rubio.
The one guy that can make the game competitive is Kevin Love. He's like Larry Bird without the court sense and creativity. Love is difficult to defend because he scores from all over the court and makes it hard for defenses to help on him. However, Love is also a guy that is physically incapable of pogo sticking around the midrange to challenge shots.
When Houston starts beating the teams with max contract shotblockers like Miami or OKC or especially Portland, then I'll feel that they've really turned the corner!
@via or should we say "deceptively" slimming lol
ReplyDeleteJLin post game vs Bulls - 12/25/12
ReplyDeleteMcHale post game
Asik post game
This one is over 13 minutes long. It includes the Rockets and Jeremy's highlights.
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms0AFdXDme4
[For those who prefer geraldd39lin highlights]
ReplyDeleteJLin vs Bulls - 12/25/12
Why Jeremy Lin Has Become the NBA's Most Polarizing Player
ReplyDeleteA decent article from Bleacher Report? I must be taking crazy pills.
Jeremy THE SURGEON Lin i unstoppable! !
ReplyDeleteBLACK COMMENTATOR : OKAY, JEREMY LIN IS NOT THAT FAST
ReplyDeleteWHITE COMMENTATOR : EXACTLY
BLACK COMMENTATOR : HES BLOWING BY THE BULLS GUARD THEY NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB DEFENSIVELY
Hey Damon houston, don't you want basketball opponents to KEEP believing that???
DeleteIt actually takes a double or triple team to stop Jeremy Lin, and even that has become harder as the Rockets offense now looks eerily like a DAntoni spread scheme with two guards stationed on the perimeter instead of a guard and a big man running a high post UCLA scheme!
Yea but at the same time I find it so disrespectful towards Jeremy. And its was very unprofessional on their part. A biased opinion with no evidence to claim that Jeremy Lin is not even that fast.
DeleteI know, damon.
DeleteNobody can stop those guys from making such idiotic statements.
Nobody can stop us from calling those guys IDIOTS for making such idiotic statements!!!
Bulls commentators.
DeleteLin is not that fast
It's not lost on anybody here that Lin's Rockets have blown out two #1 seeded Eastern Conference teams on their home courts.
ReplyDeleteWhat's scary is that the Rockets have played an utterly brutal schedule against future playoff opponents. Only the Denver Nuggets and their like 10 home games has had a rougher schedule, and of course Denver is a horrifically tough team.
Once the Rockets start playing the lesser opponents, the record will only get better. I predicted 50 wins for Lin's Rockets before and after the Harden trade.
Yep January looks relatively easy compared to December.
DeleteI think both LA teams will be their toughest games in January, which I'm sorry is easier than facing OKC/Spurs.
Maybe by then Rubio will be healthier for a rematch. DWill is imploding but he may wanna up his game so he doesn't get punked by JLin. Haven't followed nuggets much so I don't know how tough they are, although I'm expecting them and Minnie to fight Rox tooth and nail for the 6th spot (cause no one wants to play OKC/Spurs as 7th/8th lol).
One game I'm looking forward to is playing at Utah vs Jazz...Really want Rox to beat them on their home court.
Rox SHOULD crush everyone else...Maybe see them advance to 5th...That would be sweet.
I still can't get over the comments over the Christmas jerseys.. LOL
ReplyDeletefrom ESPN boards:
houstonvirus: no no no...The Rockets and OKC jerseys looked good...Even the Lakers one looked nice. Even though I'd use the OKC and Lakers jerseys as a skeet rag haha
domo88882: knicks players look like carrots running around on court.. hurt my eyes...
houstonvirus: they wore them so you could easily see how bad they are
Jeremy Lin's shooting percentage is up to 43% now. That's respectable, especially with his production. Great to see his shooting percentage up. Those articles I've come across bashing JLin loved to cite his field goal percentage as a really bad sign (since in reality his stats were pretty decent).
ReplyDeleteAfter all, I just realize Melo was right on one thing. Lin's contract is ridiculous....he's underpaid!
ReplyDeleteExcellent observation, alan xie.
DeleteThat $15 million in Lin's 3rd year might be a total BARGAIN by itself if Lin continues to play at the MAX CONTRACT LEVEL he's been doing the last few games!
Wow! Man, I can not believe the Rockets are jelly and playing well so quickly. I knew that they were going to get better and progress slowly as the season went on. But to see the Rockets explode on teams like they are doing the past few games, unbelievably great! JLin not only is progressing, he turned the corner and it's like day and night out there. Also, the chemistry between him and Harden is happening a lot faster than I thought it would.
ReplyDeleteIf they keep this up, they will be the most dangerous team in the league! Is it too crazy to think they can even beat OKC!? I'm starting to believe! :) Just wow!
What will all the Jlin critics say now? he had a great game against the knicks, spurs, grizzlies, and now the bulls. I guess whne he has a bad day which is only human, the critics will be busy again.
ReplyDeleteSide note, did u see all the ice on JLin at the end of the game?
The more Lin plays like this the more painful it is for the Jon Barry's, SAS's, and 90% of mainstream America. They will all have egg on their face eventually. Lin just got shortchanged his entire career and nobody will accept that aside from us on here. Jon Barry called Lin "heady" at game's end which is a back-handed compliment people give to unathletic and limited players. If it's so easy to be heady in the NBA, why isn't there more of it around the league? Why can't Steve Blakes and Pablo P's of the world just play like Lin?
ReplyDeleteI truly believe Barry believes any decent white player can play like Lin but Lin just got lucky and got a chance to play because he is an Asian novelty. I got that vibe from Doug Gottlieb too last year. They were both very obvious about it on TV, almost incredulous. Gottlieb compared his career to Lin and said he just never got the chances Lin did and limited his praise of Lin to taking advantage of his chance to shine.
Lin will probably have to play a whole season like the last 4 games and win the NBA crown or play out of this world in a losing effort this year before he is recognized quite honestly. The crazy thing is he IS CAPABLE OF DOING IT!
What happened against the Bulls and other teams are that the other teams are now playing Lin regularly like any other Mike Conley/Jrue Holiday . They are no longer game planning for Linsanity. The crazy schemes to stop Lin are no more.
The better teams like OKC, Miami, will force and trap Lin and Harden like mad and dare Morris and Parsons and Asik/Smith to score down on the block. Funny thing is Morris and Parsons are good enough 3 point shooters to run up the score with the 3 ball. And Asik is effective just enough while Smith hits 60-70% of his 6 to 10 shots per game!
Morris has shown he is legit with his shooting and hustle. I'd prefer he play 40 minutes any day over Patterson unless PPat comes back like a man possessed. Otherwise PPat should be a 3rd string PF behind Smith.
It was obvious the Rockets would be a 6th-8th seed. Many said so before the season. I knew it too as you know Lin hits open guys with the pass. People are still concerned they won't make the playoffs. Barring injury to Lin Harden Asik, they will make the playoffs 100%.
I still see teams trapping Lin, riding his back with the small guard while jamming him in the midrange with one or two big men.
DeleteHowever, teams are now tentative in their traps because the other Rockets have stepped up their game BIG TIME.
This allows Lin to hold the ball after the trap shows itself and then disappears to scramble to cover the deadly Houston scorers (practically the whole team). Lin then can break down his man in single coverage after the trap is gone.
The only teams that can stop Houston's offense are the contender squads with max contract shotblocking forwards that have the footspeed of guards. This is where having a pin down halfcourt isolation post up forward (not necessarily a power forward) would help.
I do know one such player who would utterly turn around his career and is available for the right price:
Michael Beasley of the Suns (aka "Carmelo Lite").
Beasley is the modern day Mark Aguirre: not that tall, not that tough, but can score from all over the court and doesn't always have his head on straight.
On the Rockets, Beasley would be an All Star. If Lin can transform friggin Marcus Morris (!!!) into a player, imagine what Lin could do with Beasley!
Completely agree with everything above. Yes Beasley would be a fantastic undervalued pickup. He's a potentially better version of Morris. With Houston, he could shine as another scoring weapon. It'd be nice if the Suns were dumb enough to trade him over. Luckily his value in the NBA is dirt, so it could happen.
DeleteAgain, I believe if the dominos fall the right way, the NBA will truly rig a Houston/Knicks finals. Both teams have to play well on their own for this to happen, but critical foul calls in close games will go those team's way if it becomes close to reality.
ReplyDeleteHouston will need to play some team like GSW in round 1 or 2 to gain confidence and to avoid playing OKC Clips & Lakers/Spurs.
I actually fear the Knicks abiilty to beat Miami more than I fear Rox ability to beat OKC. Think about it. The playoffs could become about Lin beating GSW as revenge, Harden beating OKC as revenge, and Rox playing Lakers or Clips in the Western Finals in an exciting series. Then Linsanity v. Carmelo in the finals.
This is David Stern's last year. Don't discount it. The NBA manufactures drama more than anything.
Still not a believer in the Knicks. Like a used car, after so many miles, things start to fall apart. It may look like new and sound like new for the first few months. After that, it needs constant towing to the repair shop.
DeleteWe'll just wait and see.
Yes I too think the Knicks are a complete mirage filled with average role players in the backcourt. Their only real guard is JR Smith right now. But I don't believe they will implode before the playoffs. They could be a first round flameout but I have a feeling they will at least make round 2 if not the Eastern Finals to meet with Miami.
DeletePeople are afraid of Rox losing to Spurs/OKC. I think it should be the other way around. Sadly Parsons is out which will hurt them, but as long as Asik Lin Harden are in and playing well, that is enough with Delfino/Morris/Smith/TD to round out everything.
Don't discount Parsons and Morris who pass to Lin/look for him/ and allow Lin to reset often enough. Delfino can go rogue when he's not hot, and Cook is a poor man's Jodie Meeks at best right now.
As long as PPat is not playing, I'm happy with how things are going, and very happy Mchale is no longer playing Aldrich (whom I like) over Smith (who I like better) and Cook (whom I dont like).
Call me an optimist, but believe it or not I fully expect Rockets to make 5th seed in the west.
DeleteIf so you just may see Rockets in the finals, if they find ways to deal with Ibaka and Duncan.
I guess they call it the wild west for a reason, I definitely don't see Clippers holding #1 or Warriors staying 5th, BOTH their schedules were cake compared to Rockets and we managed 6th. I'm still convinced Lakers with a healthy Nash will go far, and expect Griz to be top 6.
Either way this is going to be interesting :)
Les Alexander is super smart.
ReplyDeleteHe predicted Lin would be GREAT this summer, just like we fans did:
"I think he's going to be a great addition for the team," Alexander said. "I think he's going to be a great player in the league - very good to great. It was very risky and very hard to do. It worked out in our favor, thank God"
Also, Les ADMITS ERROR. This what he said about cutting Jeremy Lin:
"“I made a mistake the first time,” Alexander said. “(Morey) said we were going to release Jeremy. He said he was a very good third guard, and someday could be a good second guard, and I should have done a little more homework.”
Les Alexander knows exactly how good Jeremy Lin is. As long as Les knows, Lin is virtually untouchable.
Khuang thanks for that.
DeleteWow, I did not know Les actually called out Morey like that if that's an actual quote and threw him under the bus a little bit. He pretty much said Morey dropped the ball completely on Lin and that he placed too much trust in Morey's judgment.
Morey, like any employee who is good at moving up the ladder and/or keeping his job, probably toots his own horn all the time and tells Les how great of a GM he is in various ways. And dropping the ball on Lin was probably the exact type of thing Morey probably told Les would never happen under his watch in comparison to other GM's around the league.
Lin could average 18/9 for 5 years on this team, and people like Barry's etc of the world will just do what I already know they will do - give credit to Harden for freeing up role players like Lin, and also give credit to Mchale's system, and other players on the team who end up stepping up, or simply blame other teams for being incompetent over a 5 year period.
Lin has been lucky there have been Lacobs and now Les A. who believe in giving Lin a chance in the NBA. But he also delivers to help them look smart.
Those are actual quotes from Les Alexander.
DeleteThis is why I don't care about what comes out of Daryl Morey's mouth. I view Morey as Alexander's CASHIER!
Les is the sole decisionmaker on the Rockets. That's why Lin's going nowhere unless the Heat offer Lebron - and Les even hinted that he might still prefer Lin over Lebron!!!!
Found this funny picture on CF
ReplyDeletehttp://i.imgur.com/RmIZb.jpg
Roc gotta make it happen for Harden next time :)
DeleteROFLMAO!
DeleteI think OKC is going to be extremely surprised when they face this new backcourt. If they insist on just trapping Harden all game with Westbrook insisting on beating Lin they are going to pay dearly.