Saturday, December 22, 2012

Rockets vs Griz Game #26 Post-Game Thread

158 comments:

  1. Awesome win today, now they need to secure the next two (Bulls, Timberwolves), as the 3 after that will be tough (SAS, OKC, ATL).

    Go Lin go Rockets!

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    1. I think they stand a good chance against SAS, but if they get a win on OKC...I'd be so happy I wouldn't know how to celebrate lol :D

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    2. Lin vs Rubio II will be fun.

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    3. Bulls are getting their winning rhythm back but we play good against them. Atlanta is a little lost, not really sure whats going on with them still they are a play-off team. Minny even with rubio and love back are still very inconsistent. I think rubio is still playing on very limited minutes so i doubt he and lin will get it on. SAS and OKC- i'll be extremely happy if they pull off a win against them.

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    4. Yes. Okc. Can't wait. Everybody will be crazy and happy. But if they lose again...still need to Cheer though.

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    5. one win.. just ONE DAMN WIN vs Thunder and vs Spurs and I'll be throwing a party for myself....

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    1. Its going to happen, Smith is going to posterize someone.

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  4. Man the rest of the schedule from now on are monstrous

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    1. Way to know what to say every time...

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    2. Why it looks like they are doing the post game in a box or a closet something with that kind of wood? The background a little awkward. They don't have a better place to do It ?!

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  6. I want to point out that Jeremy Lin played * * MORE * * minutes than anyone else on the Rockets.

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    1. Finally!!! Good sign. So the coach finally showing some trust sign here!

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    2. I'm sure they kept Lin for several more minutes so that he could generate more assists to make it a double double. At the time they rested Harden because of the blowout, Lin had 8 assists; after he got 11 assists he was taken out. The coaches (the two were thinking like identical twins) are starting to give Lin an overdue starter's respect, thanks to the LinSpurts (the term that refers to the December 10, 2012 Rockets vs. Spurs Harden-less game in which Jeremy Lin proved that he's obviously not a fluke).

      They should have kept Harden for a minute or two more to keep the Harden-Lin combo 50+ points streak alive. In tonight's game the combo scored 46 points (Harden 31, Lin 15).

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  7. 11 assists and only 2 TOs against the Grizzlies.

    Simply outstanding! Jeremy has become a true PG this season. No teammate other than Greg Smith can finish layups/dunks reliably, but Jeremy has made so many "WOW" passes already.

    Even during Linsanity, I was seldom "wowed" by J-Lin passing -- it was just solid. But now he's dazzling my eyes nightly -- even if his teammates can't finish.

    If only McHale let Jeremy do his job from Day One! Jeremy would no doubt deserve his All-Star nod...oh well. Just keep doing what you're doing Jeremy. I even expect that 3pt shot to improve over the season.

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    1. I know. As a huge Lin fan, I and all the people I know didn't vote for him at all because of the "mess" that mostly his coaches created imo. We're still not voting because for this year we expect he'll be voted in (not sure) without our help. We decided that we'd rather Lin not start the All-Star game; a backup will suffice. Otherwise, so many factions will bicker and complain.

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  8. Just an aside... the Lakers-GSW game is incredibly entertaining. Kobe is in full-on chucker mode (he has thrown up 31 shots). If you had a drink for every ill-advised Kobe shot you'd be dead of alcohol poisoning by now lol.

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    1. Man the GSW crowd is electric. Wish the Toyota Center had a decent atmosphere...

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    2. And people here want Lin to go to the Lakers.

      Lin is in a good team right now.

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    3. Did you catch the game? My Twitter is lighting up with people saying what a great game it is. A few seconds left on the clock and the game is tied right now! No semblance of defence anywhere lol

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    4. IT GOES TO OVERTIME!

      Kobe iso pull up while doubled on the corner... bricks...

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    5. Nash was wide open too lmaooooooo

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    6. Lakers win! With Kobe going 16-41

      Yes... 41 shots

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    7. Like I said, people should stop that Lin to the Lakers talk. Kobe makes Melo look very unselfish.

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    8. Hate the Lakers but a big Steve Nash's fan. Nice comeback win for Nash on his first game back

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  9. Harden might be the engine of the Rockets but Lin is the motor oil that makes it run smooth and effectively.

    Put the ball in Jeremy's hands and everything will be just fine.

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    1. So... Lin oils Harden's engine?

      That sounds a little kinky haha

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  10. Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine
    Sacramento Bee's @mr_jasonjones reports that suspended Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins is changing agents from John Greig to Dan Fegan
    8:54 PM - 22 Dec 12

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    1. Sean Pendergast ‏@SeanCablinasian
      More good news for the Rockets -- RT @hoopscritic This agent change by Cousins signals a power move forthcoming....
      9:01 PM - 22 Dec 12

      Adam Clanton ‏@adamclanton
      @seancablinasian You're predicting The Boogie coming to Houston, as well? (In @dmorey we trust.)
      9:02 PM - 22 Dec 12

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    2. I don't get the connection...who's Dan Fegan and what does he have to do with HOU?

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    3. Some fans want Cousins.

      The change in agent might indicate that he'll demand a trade.

      In my opinion , the Rockets better stay away from Cousins. You do not want another Royce White situation.

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    4. There's good risk and there's bad risk. Risking a half-decent pick is one thing; giving up good assets for a headcase is quite another. Just say NO to Cousins.

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    5. NO to Cousins. kid's a serious nutcase. he will ruin the Rockets.

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    6. If I have veto over this trade I will veto the sh*t out of it. Last thing we need is a diva thug

      Maybe Jeremy can straighten him out I don't know. But I am sure as hell now is not the right time for this

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    7. @Rikki while Jeremy can make his team mates better, I doubt it will be the same as Cousins. a nutcase is a nutcase, unless he wants to redeem himself. so far I haven't seen any desire to redeem from this kid.

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    8. i like Cousins...

      he is not getting along with Keith Smart, same as Lin. We here all know that Keith Smart shouldn't be a head coach in the NBA (was trying the TRIANGLE earlier this season, and that was mercifully scrapped)

      Cousins screws up, but he apologizes publicly a lot too. He's not like Royce White whose condition prevents him from playing pro basketball. If Jeremy Lin and James Harden did what Bill Laimbeer and Isiah Thomas did to Mark Aguirre - sit down for dinner and basically threatened Aguirre so much that Aguirre could not finish his food, that might work. Lin would do it in a quieter but no less effective way, plus Lin is a better point guard than Cousins has ever played with (sorry John Wall!)

      The Rockets could use a "battleship" player like Cousins, but they don't have the assets to trade for Cousins anyway. Besides, I'm the only guy here that would like to see Cousins in a Rockets uniform.

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    9. Coach Nick over at bballbreakdown says any team should not have more than one head case. Houston already has Royce, don't need a second. Especially on a young team without vets presence.

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    10. Yeah, but Coach Nick also thinks Pau Gasol can't play.

      Anybody who says that about Pau Gasol is a guy I can't really place my full faith in.

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    11. In D'Antoni's system, if you can't run, you're next to useless. With a mobile Dwight, Pau is somewhat redundant. But Dwight had foul trouble in the Lakers game so Pau got more usage. Back to Lin - whoever suggested a Lin for Pau trade must think Morey is stupid.

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    12. @Phil

      I know right. That Lin-Gasol trade just doesn't make any sense. With the way Gasol has regressed this season, Morey would not want him in Houston.

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  11. I'm watching the replay and Lin REALLY needs to learn how to fall. Clyde made a good point, if you keep calling on your knees and elbows, you're gonna get hurt.

    Lowry hits the floor like Lin...and he's always injured.

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    1. I bet I know what Jeremy's response would be (in private)

      "If I don't fall hard, I don't get the whistle. Refs don't give me calls unless I make the contact look severe."

      And he'd be right. It seems like half his whistles are late calls once the refs see him go crashing HARD to the floor.

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    2. noticed that too. I got really horrified with his fall on that flagrant foul by Tyson. the image of D. Rose tearing his ACL last playoffs came to my mind... hope the Rockets got good conditioning coaches too. hopefully, Lin's got a conditioning coach same or even better than LeBron's

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    3. Learn how to fall?

      How is Lin supposed to fall? Turn midair like a cat and land on the paws?

      If you attack the basket like Lin does you never know how you are goint to hit the ground. If an opponent fouls you -> its worse. The only thing you can do is avoid hitting the ground with your head, knees and elbows and make sure you hit the ground flat - this way you distribute the load on as much surface as you can.

      IMHO - Lin is doing it right most of the time. As long as the NBA does not put mats behind the baseline -> what can you do?

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  12. Lin vs Memphis long highlights
    http://youtu.be/rklhk3NTFug

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    1. can't watch it - blocked already.

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    2. Really? It's working for me. I like this highlight the most.

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    3. Probably you saw it before it was blocked.

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  13. Folk, on the Box score I see JL 3PT as 1-5?

    But the on highlights, I see him shooting twice, no? or did he step on the line for the second 3PT shot(0:25)? and the first was at :15sec

    Highlights

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    1. Lin has tons of long 2s this season.

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    2. hmmm, he has to be a little more conscious on not to step the line. anyways, still happy on his performance.

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    3. I'd rather Lin just fire the ball instead of thinking about where he's firing from.

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  14. ahh!!! that's why I gotta a good feeling with this game - it's a WIN! thank You, thank You, thank You! off to download the game..

    with Bulls playing physical defense (and inconsistent offense), I want to see how the Rockets will answer that. a win vs Thunder and Spurs wouldn't hurt too...

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    1. yeah, we got 2 days of good rest/practice, we should be playing hard on the next 2 games for a win! :)

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    2. I'm sure they'll handle it better than the Knicks. Knicks, when they played Memphis, also had a meltdown game from the usual head cases.

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    3. Tough Bulls defense -> holds teams to 90.3 points per game, 2nd-best in the league.

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  15. Anyone notice Harden sitting on the bench with two big ice packs on his knees late in the third? That was how Lin was early in the season. Is Harden starting to feel the massive amounts of minutes he's been playing this season?

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    2. BBall is always hard on the knee, especially when one takes a lot of threes. Jump shot it fine because its a flow on momentum, but 3s, has move, stop, jump and shoot. Where the toll on the knee is higher.

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    3. There is no basketball player who doesnt "feel" his knees once in a while. What goes up (jumper) must come down - you always hit the ground hard. When you drive and cut and stop -> bad for the knees. When you come down sideways after a layup -> bad for the knees as well.

      Harden has been playing 35+ minutes on many games - driving to the basket with his eurostep - being the main scorer. I always wondered how he manages to do it. The ice packs show that he is human - just like us.

      He is important for the rockets. He has to dial it down a bit. Harden and Lin should play round about 30 minutes a night. Harden has to let Lin handle the ball more - let Lin attack the basket like he does. This way he has to work less - he can rest his knees more.

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    4. I have repeated stated that they play Harden too much. At least now, they play less Iso with him. Way too much minutes for one guy. Remember what D'Antoni did to Lin and his knees. Same will happen to Harden if they keep up his minutes like this. I agree w/ willydilly. ~30min is good b/c inevitably, there will be closer games and OT when they will have to play more. Machado and Douglas along w/ Delfino will have to play more. Rox have a decent bench. Hopefully, they will utilize it more.

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  16. I'm watching the highlights c/o geraldd39lin. the Rockets are serious about rebounds. last vs Grizzlies game, they were clearly out-rebounded by Grizzlies. payback time! serious appreciation for Greg Smith for finishing Jeremy's assists. if Les and Morey uses their smarts they'll keep Smith and forget about P. Gasol. I'm watching the Lakers vs GSW replay. Gasol looks horribly lost! Gasol's finding the right man and passing skills definitely improved under PJ, so imho this team will grow tougher with a coach/assistant coach who can run a moving offense like triangle and goes for lockdown defense, plus add a scoring center and off they go.

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  17. who is geraldd39lin in this site? i'm not worthy. always thanks for the uploads.

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  18. The next 5 games for the Rockets are super tough.

    At Chicago
    At Minny
    At SA
    Vs OKC
    Vs Atlanta

    I will be happy if they can win 2 out of these 5 (1 out of Chicago or Minny, 1 vs Atlanta). SA and OKC are surefire losses imo, as good as the Rockets are playing lately.

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    1. Also the Rockets have not been a good road team. If they want to be better than a sub-500 mediocre team, they need to get way better on the road.

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    2. Actually, I see three of those games being very winnable.

      Chicago and Atlanta have already been beaten by the Rockets earlier this season.

      Minnesota is up and coming, but they are actually weaker defensively with Kevin Love at PF because he's not a rangy shotblocker.

      San Antonio is extremely tough, but the Rockets pushed them to overtime thanks to that Linbelievable 38 point Linplosion without James Harden. Now that Lin has literally shot his way into the lineup and Greg Smith has Linjected the athletic frontcourt explosiveness the Rockets need, there's no telling what may happen.

      Unfortunately, OKC is still OKC. Serge Ibaka is a one man wrecking crew on defense. He blocks shots like a 7 foot center but has the footspeed of a 6'5" guard. None of the OKC scorers (Westbrook, Martin, Durant) scare me, but Ibaka is the bane of the Rockets. I say go at him early and try to get him into foul trouble!

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    3. Yes the road schedule especially during January hell are monstrous. But I agree with KHuang, the Rockets can win but only with right condition if not the perfect condition

      Teams that really worried for now are Thunder and Clippers, both are highly athletic and on fire lately

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    4. Clippers don't scare me one bit.

      Jeremy Lin is more than a match for Chris Paul. If there is one guy in the NBA that Chris Paul does not match up well with, it's Jeremy Lin.

      Lin is simply too big and quick for Chris Paul. Plus, Paul cannot dribble around Lin at will the way Paul can against the rest of the NBA. While Chris Paul will still get his numbers against Lin, Lin is going to mess up the Clippers offense since everything goes through Chris Paul.

      As for the Clippers bigs, they are not the defensive threat that LMA/Batum with Portland are. Griffin and Jordan don't have the reflexes of LMA and Batum to challenge a perimeter penetrating guard and then recover quickly to challenge the bailout shooter.

      Just as a guy like Serge Ibaka is a one man defensive wrecking crew via his quick rotations and sky high shotblocking, Jeremy Lin is also a one man defensive wrecking crew because of his unique ability to steal the ball.

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    5. @KHuang yes The Rockets will score a lot points I'm not too worried about our offense even though The Clippers still demand respect, a little mistake during offense and they will pounce right at you. Just like The Rockets, The Clippers can get up and running down the court in a hurry.

      I'm more worried about our defense. Their chemistry right now is really great. I still favor the Rockets but I think it will be close game,tightly contested, and highly entertaining match

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  19. Damn January is going to be tough... I just hope they can get consecutive wins against the best in the west... Let's hope for a good 2nd half for these young Rockets and make a push to the playoffs, GOOD LUCK!!!!

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    1. As far as I can see, there is definitely no parity in the NBA's scheduling.

      I could be wrong, but I think the Rockets may have had the toughest schedule in the NBA. The vast majority of the teams they've faced have been future playoff teams.

      I actually like the fact that the Rockets are facing the best teams. That makes them grow up faster. Plus nobody can use the excuse against Jeremy Lin that he's faced pansy competition.

      All the tough competition and McHale's tough coaching has forged Jeremy Lin into an extremely good player who's becoming a guy that just can't be stopped when he gets going.

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    2. Monday seems to ease off quite a bit though.

      But I too am glad they face tough teams now better to gauge yourself against the best early.

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    3. Er I mean January not monday lol.

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  20. on Ultimate Rockets:

    ClutchFans.net @clutchfans
    Multiple European news outlets reporting Rockets have signed 6'1 PG Patrick Beverley

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    1. Trade Lin? COOL.

      Doesn't matter where Lin goes. He's gonna dominate like he always has, even if there's a brief adjustment period.

      I say trade Lin and "considerations" for John Wall and Jan Vesely. Let Lin turn around the Wizards.

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    3. Im sure they are just looking for a 3rd PG. The team is young and the GM is probably just thinking ahead.

      Lin and Harden are just starting to show their potential as duo. To trade Lin (everything is possible) would be the second dumbest move in Rockets history. The dumbest move of all times was to waive Lin. Will they do it again? I really dont think so.

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    4. Haha. I would love to see Lin on the Wizards. He can get his own team to run and be able to change around their losing culture. He can turn Bradley Beal into the next James Harden too. :-D

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    5. In Washington, Lin could:

      1) Turn Bradley Beal AND Jordan Crawford into James Harden
      2) Turn Randy Wittman into a NBA head coach
      3) Turn the Wizards into an actual NBA team
      4) Turn Nene into Nene
      5) Turn Barack Obama into a Wizards fan
      6) Turn Houston into the LOTTERY TEAM everybody predicted them to be
      7) Turn John Wall into the first #1 overall pick ever traded straight up for the LAST overall pick in the same draft year

      Go #7 JLin!!!!!!!!

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    6. It looks like Rockets management have lost confidence in Scott Machado as a backup PG. He's looked terrible in garbage time.

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    7. Rockets have been padding up Dougie and Patterson stats, i think they are going to trade them for Millsap. Patrick Beverley is a euroleague MVP and judging from the highlights, he seems legit and a better facilitator than Dougie. I don't think he's signing to be a 3rd PG.

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    8. Eurocup, not Euroleague. The former is of a lower standard than the latter.

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    9. TD is not that great a facilitator - but keep in mind - hes more a SG than he is a PG.

      That is why I think that TD has found himself a really nice niche (in Houston) in which he can thrive. He can play with Lin - he can play with Harden - he can play with HardLin and the coaches seem to like his D. He is basicly the guy for everything. If I had a say in this I would let them play together more (HardLin + TD) and see how things go.

      I would go with ABC Baller and say that Rockets are signing Beverley to replace Machado. TD has played more than 20+ minutes (on many occasions I believe). He has become an important part of the team. Beverley - no matter how good he might be - wont be able to replace TD immediately. Even if he becomes backup PG that doesnt neccesarily mean that TD is obsolete.



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    10. I'm not sure why the Rockets picked this guy up. But the only logical thing I could think of is that a BIG mid-season trade is right around the corner.

      Who's going to get traded and who's going to stay?

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    11. on this link: http://en.rsport.ru/basketball/20121223/636943581.html

      “I’m from Chicago and the first match is against the Chicago Bulls. I don’t know if I play.” Beverley said. ”I have to take a physical and stuff like that. I’ll probably play in a week.”

      I thought he is going to D-league first. Another big mouth?

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    12. Why do people keep suggesting Lin go to bad teams like Sacramento and now Washington?

      Lin might have higher numbers but they are not going to win a lot of games. Lin wants to win. Lin is in a good position in Houston where he can win a lot of games and possibly contend for a championship after a few years of development.

      I have to admit that Morey right now looks like a masterful GENIUS with the way the Rockets are playing. And he's still capable of signing another star player that will put the Rockets on top of the West.

      Lin is perfect in Houston.

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    13. neph, I can't speak for others but I can speak for myself.

      I LOVE Jeremy Lin being in Houston.

      From the moment Houston stepped up and officially signed him to that gigantic contract when nobody else thought Lin was even worth the minimum, I have supported Lin and the Rockets. That the Rockets had Kevin McHale who is an NBA champion and whips guys into shape made it even better for me.

      I myself am sick of all the trade rumors, so occasionally I throw forth a ridiculous trade proposal to spite people, particularly the Lakers fans that get angry when their proposals for trading for Lin get shot down (i.e. my Kobe and Dwight for Lin scenario).

      However, the basketball purist in me genuinely wonders what Lin could do on weakass teams other than the Rockets. ALL of those weakass teams are far more loaded than the Rockets in payroll and talent. How far could Lin take those teams? That's my question.

      I agree that Lin is perfect in Houston. And when his contract is up, your San Antonio Spurs should look long and hard at signing Lin even if Tony Parker is still there.

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  21. Lin got many assists after the blowout started. Nice to see but affect on game at that point was minimal. Harden was the key though. Lin did play a smart game.

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    1. I realised that too. Still appreciate his game though:) I hope to see him get double assist in a game without a blowout.

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    2. Well, let me break it down a bit. Jlin got 5 assists in the 1st half. In the second half, JLin played about 8 minutes in the 3rd qtr and attempted 3 assists: one was a long pass to Harden which resulted in a layup, the second was a no look pass to Asik which he fumbled and could have resulted in a layup too, and the third is a long bounce pass to Parson which was kicked out of bounce by Memphis or else it could have been a layup as well. There were 2 more borderline attempted assists but I'm not gonna count those because they're borderline or hockey assists perhaps. These 3 assists are all high quality passes that weren't converted (except 1) in the 3rd quarter. Also, out of the 12 or 13 possessions Rockets had in the 3rd qtr when JLin was on the floor, he wasn't the primary ball handler. JLin had two possessions in which he played pick and roll and both times he passed it off not to the roller but to Harden that became an ISO and Parsons. Also in the same qtr, JLin increased his defensive pressure by helping out on defense on ZBo in the block twice causing a jump ball and loose ball. Finally, JLin was back at the start of the 4th qtr, but by then the Rockets were already leading 94-78. So we can discredit JLin's assists in the 4th as inconsequential but it's really not like that.

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    3. This is the real effect JLin had.

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    4. The blowout had began in the 3rd qtr when JLin was still in the game. He left at the 4:19 mark and the Rockets were up 78-68.

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    6. He got 6 assists before the B.O. and 5 afterwards.

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    7. I just want to reinforce JLin's "affect on game".

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    8. Racha, good analysis on Lin's EFFECT.

      Were it not for Lin, a whole bunch of guys on the Rockets would be struggling. The Rockets don't have great individual scorers or defenders outside of Lin and Harden.

      Take a guy like Marcus Morris. He had bust written all over him for his first two years in the NBA. He played alongside point guards who were supposedly better than Lin like Dragic and Lowry and still couldn't get the job done. But now that Morris can cherrypick off Lin's creativity, he's now become Houston's Steve Novak!

      Lin makes the guys around him better. That shows up statistically in the number of minutes played by guys who were previously scrubs and in the number of games won by Lin's inferiorly talented team against superiorly talented opponents!

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    9. Agree on Morris and JLin making them better.

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    10. So JLin makes people around him better -> correct assessment but old as old spice :)

      We are JLin fans -> we already know that he makes his teammates better :)

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    11. The Lin effect goes both ways.

      Marcus Morris is a fantastic player along side Lin. He's a Novak, but more athletic though he doesn't shoot 3's quite as great, but not far behind in reality. While Lin does improve Novak's and Morris's scoring outputs, they also make him look good by getting open, patiently waiting, and hitting shots when Lin hits them. Morris usually kicks the ball back out to Lin instead of going 1 on 1 or 1 on 2 to force a shot. I like that about Morris because it helps Lin get in rhythm and control the game and reset the offense.

      It goes both ways. They use to say Amare owed Nash, but oftentimes Nash also owed Amare because Amare could turn a simple pass into a highlight reel.

      Asik is a great player, but if the Rockets want true potent dominating offense, Asik will never be the answer at center. He can be an elite backup who plays 20-25 like in Chicago. He just cannot finish plays at a high enough clip and/or get fouled unless something magical happens to him over the summer working with Hakeem or something.

      Patterson is also pretty horrible. I think the guy is a smart player who *could* play a gritty role player 4-man type game, but all the guy wants to do is score the ball and get his. He dislikes dirty work. He wants to be a pretty boy (check him out always tucking his jersey around his shoulders). The guy cannot set a decent pick or rebound. He ALWAYS slips the screen so he can get shots, and with an unselfish Lin, Patterson is smart enough to know he will always get that pass and that he can put up 14 shots a game with Lin but he's still not efficient enough. It's utterly ridiculous.

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    12. No doubt Lin makes his teamates better. Noticed that Novak is not making those gimme 3s as he did last year. I think this has to do with all the high character guys leaving NYK (Jeffries, Lin, Fields, Josh, Douglas - second team guys that he played with). However, I think we need to temper our enthusiasm about Lin's effect this game. He played good not great. Still lots to improve, and that is scary since they just beat down Memphis with a less than optimal shooting from Lin and buttery fingers from the rest.

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    13. Good description of the forwards that Lin has to deal with, swinglinezigzag. With Asik, Morris and Patterson - Lin (or Harden) has to attract 2 or 3 defenders then pass to the free forward under the rim for them to dunk.

      The guard has to work extra hard to enable the alley-oop, whereas in the previous game, Lin threw a risky pass to a running Harden, the ball just missed the grasping reach of an opposing player, Harden caught the ball and threw in the dunk/layup for the highlight reel.

      With Asik and co, the risky pass often becomes a TO instead of an assist. The emerging light is Greg Smith who is athletic, fearless and skilful enough to convert the alley oops.

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    14. It's always fascinating for me to rewatch the game to see what the turning point of the game.

      Harden was the All-Star scorer in this game for sure but Lin played a major part in pulling away from Memphis in the 3rd quarter, mostly with defense and then assists.

      Memphis got as close as 6 points (64-70) with 8 min left in the 3rd quarter and threatened to cut it to 4 when Lin started a 5-point swing by helping Morris to grab the ball from Randolph resulting in a jumpball. Although he lost the jumpball, that left MEM with 5 seconds left on the shot clock resulting in Mike Conley missing a floater. This was when Asik quickly rebounded the ball, passed to Lin, the quarterback, who threw an almost fullcourt pass to Harden who made a 3-point play.

      With this 5-point swing, Houston led 11 points (75-64) instead of getting the lead cut to 4 points (66-70). The next possession, Harden also got a steal leading a quick layup. Houston never relinquished the lead less than 10 points from that point on. Douglas also helped to extend the lead with his 3PTs.

      Watch 2:11 on gerald39lin's highlight
      Jeremy Lin highlights vs Grizzlies || DEC 22, 2012 || HD
      Note: Too bad it doesn't show the defensive play that led to Conley's missed shot. You'd have to rewatch the LP at 8:30 left in the 3rd quarter to appreciate it.

      But this is Linsanity at his best. He inspired team defense just like in NY leading to fastbreaks and easy points in an exciting team basketball.

      He didn't even have a good shooting night so who still says he's not a starter PG?

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    15. 78-68 lead in the 3rd quarter?.... That's not exactly a blowout. The Grizzlies could have come back to tie or win the game. Just like when the Rockets had a 9 point lead over the Spurs, in the 4th, and that lead was gone as soon as Lin sat down on the bench.

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    16. JLin [11 ast] leading in the league Sat. [w/ Jarrett Jack.]

      Rox now playing as a TEAM: HOU’s 32 assists, a season-high.

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  22. 11 assists, 2 TO, 2 STL and 15 PTS. Is there anything more people want from a PG?

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    Replies
    1. more 3 point shots made. =) I hope those come along.

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  24. grizzlies looked so slow and out of last night... nice win anyway. home court advantage!

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    Replies
    1. The Grizzlies were made to look slow by Lin and Harden who greyhounded the super fast and athletic Grizzlies guards.

      Lin tested athletically as being as fast as John Wall (universally regarded as the fastest black PG in the NBA), so it should come as no surprise that Lin dribbles the ball faster than guys are running without it!

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    2. their rotations were slower compared to the first time they played, and just looked very uncomfortable out there. i suppose harden and lin can do that to ya.

      still amazing how bad most nba teams are away from home..

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    3. Why you have to bring race into this discussion?

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    4. chill....just like people will say that "Asian guy" jeremy lin.

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  25. Knicks down by 7 at home(!) to the t wolves who don't even have Kevin love in the lineup today.

    The house of cards might be starting to fall apart hopefully.

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    2. so it begins.

      "trade felton" threads. lulz.

      http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1221862

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    3. Who cares about the Knicks? I am glad Minny lost because they are direct competition for Lin and the Rockets' playoffs hope.

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    4. @Cara that's true. haha. now houston at 6!

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    7. a lot of Knicks fans said that Jeremy doesn't fit the team that is built to win a championship this season, namely the Knicks.... O-KAAAAY.....

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  26. [2012 round-up]

    TIME: Top 10 Sports Moments
    3. Linsanity Strikes

    NESN Top Sports Stories From 2012
    4. Linsanity is born.

    HuffPost: Feel Good Stories Of 2012
    12. Linsanity

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  27. The Atlantic Wire: 50 Worst Columns of 2012
    - The Jeremy Lin Problem - David Brooks [NYT]

    Buzzfeed: 10 Outstanding Essays Of 2012.
    A Question Of Identity: The Headline, The Tweet, And The Unfair Significance Of Jeremy Lin - Jay Caspian Kang [Grantland]

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  28. SlamOnline: Top 10 Gamewinners of 2012
    [0:53] #8 JLin - Toronto

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  29. Replies
    1. Wow, it was Jlin's fault all along for deferring to Harden. The NY experience probably had a profound impact on him. I think it may be due to JLin being constnatly critcized for being "the guy" and hence he became hesitant and timid in trying to be the guy again when Harden was signed.

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    2. I don't know what to make of this interview, Racha.
      [Some fans think Sampson's BS-ing the Chinese reporter..?]
      ---


      As for me, there's been a lot of knee-jerk reaction from me of late. I need to learn to be more patient. [And perhaps listen to wiffle some.] :)

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    3. Maybe Sampson got flamed by us JLin fans too much and he's trying to slither his way out. Thanks.

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    5. The suspicion out there: Les had stepped in, forcing the coaching staff to change things up for the past couple of games.

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    6. Major B.S. Spin reporting for duty, lol

      I remember Lin Bark at Melo and Amare last season during game against the Bucks. Both "sabotaged" the game by not boxing out at the critical point late in the game. It shows that Jeremy is not afraid of his superstar teammates and he have full confidence from the coach. Ironically both Lin and D'Antoni are no longer a Knick now.

      I remember an interview during off season, Jeremy said that he learned a lot last season, not just basketball but learned a lot about "People". I think says a lot, a hint perhaps.

      Maybe he learned he had to "submit" to his "Typical NBA Star Player(s)" teammates... I don't know for sure

      I have a hard time trying to believe what Sampson said

      Oh well I just don't know or maybe will never know the truth

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    7. Yeah, someone with this much attitude towards 2 established STARS, but now supposedly meek and overly-deferring towards Harden...

      [I'd be patient. Surely the backstory, whatever it is, will surface eventually.]

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