Monday, December 10, 2012

Rockets vs Spurs Game #20 Game Thread

503 comments:

  1. Let's hope Lin is SPURRED on to a good performance today! :)

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    1. Good one. " Lin being spurned by Rockets' coaches should be spurred on this game."

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  2. It's funny Rockets commentators are talking about Dougie needing to be an initiator in absence of Harden. If Dougie plays better than Lin in this game and can facilitate as well, I am all for letting Dougie start in the 2nd PG spot.

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  3. Parsons calls an early time out... Something wrong with his hand?

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  4. No Harden. This is the game for Lin to prove it.

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  5. How can Asik miss that kind of shot? It's almost as bad as Lin air balling.

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  6. Lin missing that short shot is what I am talking about. That kind of short shot should be almost automatic.

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  7. Rockets shoot way too many damn 3's.

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  8. Asik should not be shooting more than Jeremy, the guy sucks at offense yet is constantly fed the ball. Who knows why.

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    1. Jeremy, even without Harden, is not shooting that much. He just is trying to set up others. Look how lousy Delfino is passing in transition.

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  9. Defense is alright. JLin still needs not give Parker so much space to operate. Need to tighten up on Parker.

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  10. No Harden but Lin is hardly shooting. And he probably should have made that shot he did shoot.

    I think Lin overpasses to Asik a bit.

    Otherwise decent performance, but Parker starting to impose himself. Duncan not hitting his shots fortunately.

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  11. One missed layup by Asik, two missed midrange J by ppat.

    Lin is still in the PG only mode, not showing any aggression towards scoring yet.

    At least Spurs is not running away early in the 1st quarter.

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  12. Lin doesn't realize he can't be Rondo on this team, he doesn't have KG or Pierce to pass to...he needs to be a scoring guard like Parker...SCORE.

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  13. the way jlin plays right now makes me want to smack somebody. he just brings the ball up, dumps it off to someone and runs to the corner... so frustrating!!!

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    1. He's trying to get everyone involved nothing wrong with that as long as they're winning.

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    2. You got it- my feeling exactly...Mchale's definition of point guard must be just bringing the ball up the court on the inbound. I was hoping that with Harden gone he could be the main facilitator but for some reason Mchale doesnt want it that way

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    3. Lin did one drive that nearly caused him to lose the ball and he seemed to lose confidence and didn't try again. Got to be fearless. It wasn't even that ugly... his drive led to an open 3 by Patterson (I think) and it was not Lin's fault that Patterson bricked it.

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  14. Several things I noticed / just noticed so far in game / season :

    1. Pick N Roll : Rockets bigs seems more unwilling to give Lin picks, but when they do, they fade instead of roll or pop. The same thing does not apply if the other player initiated the picks which is very odd

    2. The same things also applies for the defensive end. The team mates did not provide much help for Lin especially when being picked

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  15. Lin sits after 6+ mins.

    Lin showing no signs of aggression again, even without Harden. Honestly... Lin was playing just like Harden was on the court, except that without Harden no one is even playmaking.

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    1. You noticing that also? WTF. If he keeps on playing this passively even after the coaches disrespected him, Lin deserves to be benched. Just don't understand. At least, Dougie is being aggressive.

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    2. It's too obvious not to notice haha

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  16. Time to send Asik to the D-League to work on his skills.

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  17. Gotta give it to ya. The Rockets did really well so far to make Lin look bad

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    1. Lin is hardly trying to penetrate (when he does call for a screen and the man fades he can always ask for another screen that early in the shot clock) so I wouldn't say its his teammates fault.

      Let's stop blaming Lin's teammates all the time.

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  18. I just don't understand why Lin brings up the ball, passes and then goes to the side. He should be coming back to the top and asking for the ball when nothing is available. Lin doesn't seem like he will get more than 12 in this game either. Just don't understand. Would not be surprised to see Dougie do better than Lin in this game.

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    1. hes playing ball like hes scared shitless, blah somebody needs to remind him of what he is capable of and snap the f* out of it

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  19. Lin not doing anything. No Aggression on the offensive end

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    1. I am seriously losing respect for his playing. Why is Dougie able to play aggressively and not Lin?

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  20. Lin is totally useless on the court.

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  21. Great now the bench are on a roll. More justification for Lin's benching yet again.

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  22. JLin sat because he let Parker drive in for a floater over JLin.

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  23. I sense a little "civil disobedience" going on with Lin towards the coaching staff. I don't think the coaching staff wants Lin to be this passive without Hardon off the court.

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  24. He talked all last year about finally not trying to conform and playing 'his way' and not all the sudden he's listening to the stupid Mchale who doesnt believe he can do anything but bring up the ball

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  25. Maybe lin wants to get traded.. gotta understand how he thinks. hes probably not liking the houston management /coach for how they are treating him lately

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    1. He doesnt think that way...he is too busy thinking everyone in this world are angels.

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    2. Maybe, yeah hes too christian to think like that :p

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  26. Lin back in with a minute left in 1Q

    Draws a foul! :)

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  27. Rare sighting of Lin on the foul line

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  28. If Jeremy does not change, he will soon be the most expensive 12th man in NBA history.

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  29. Lin's mentality right now should be: PLAY BETTER THAN DOUGIE

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  30. Wow 3 blocked shots by Greg Smith.

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  31. Im surprised they bought him back so fast - I thought I wouldnt see him until the third quarter again because Parker got a shot over him

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  32. I don't think JLin can all of sudden just change his mode of play. Yes, Harden is out but he still has to play within the schemes. If the offense breaks down then we may see JLin attack and take conrol more. I just want him to play harder on defense right now.

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  33. Things that need to be worked on @2nd quarter :

    1. GIVE LIN PROPER PNR!

    2. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! GIVE LIN PROPER PNR!

    3. I'm sorry please give Lin proper PNR I beg you please

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  34. 1Q thoughts:

    - Lin played only nearly 8 mins of the 12, the same number of limits as TD.

    - There is no discernible difference between Lin playing with Harden or without Harden. After being benched, Lin came back with a drive to the basket. He went for a layup that led to FTs. Let's see more of that.

    - The defence looks better when it is a Lin/TD backcourt than any variant with Harden. Small sample size though.

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  35. If dougie outshines Lin again in this game, its gg for lin. im actually hoping rockets trade lin to the lakers.

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  36. I think Coach McHale should change their offensive scheme for Jeremy.

    Instead of having him run to the corner after he passes, they should make Jeremy run and stand in the other end of the court so that Jeremy doesn't take up so much precious space on their half court offense. This will also help the Rockets defense prevent any easy fast breaks.

    Anyone else agree??

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  37. Replies
    1. Dougie counters with his own three!

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    2. LOL haha dougie's intention is clearly to beat Lin today.. haha i smell competition!

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  38. When Asik give Lin screen he act like all confused and stayed there like a retard. Oh my God

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    1. Doesn't happen when setting screen for others. What is up with the Rockets seriously?

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    2. That's why we need a quality veteran big that knows how to play defense and pnr. I like Asik but he's still an infant.

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    3. Asik was always retarded. Put mighty smith back on!

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    4. It seems like Asik is always in with Lin. I want to see Lin try working with Aldrich and Smith. Maybe they can set a decent pick for him.

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    5. This Asik blaming is going too far, man. His screensetting is pretty good for TD and Harden. It is up to Lin to inform Asik what he wants. Unless you are implying that Asik is trying to get Lin to fail

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    6. The thing is he rolls when setting picks for other. Not the same for Lin!

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    7. @wiffle Yes that is what I'm trying to imply. I hope I'm wrong

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    8. I just want to see Lin with one of the other big men. See if that chemistry works better. Lin get Asik free throws but it doesn't help Lin's stats.

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    9. Let's all avoid casting aspersions on the motives of Lin's teammates for now! Unless we have some evidence that Asik hates Lin or something lol

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    10. @wiffle Heat of the moment sorry. But that is just what I see or feel so far. Of course there no definite or conclusive prove for that

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    11. That's cool, Rikki! I get heated watching matches sometimes too!

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  39. What did I tell you guys? Jeremy shoots 60% on his "emergency" 3s.

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  40. The Rockets are really a Moneyball team. All their points come from layups/3s/FTs, no middle game from anyone, not just Lin.

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  41. Time to bench Jeremy because even though he made that 3, his form was not aggressive enough.

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  42. At least the Rox starts to play team ball wo Harden. Always fun to watch!

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  43. It's refreshing to watch team basketball.

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  44. I smell competition. Dougie is battling for lin's starting spot, he wants his revenge from what lin did to him in NY

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  45. This frantic pace is too good to be true.

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    1. Actually the frantic pace stopped when Douglas went out.

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  46. It seems like the team is better without harden .the ball movement is better without harden .

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    1. Don't know if it's coincidence. But the defense looks way better without Harden.

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    2. Harden's matador defense doesn't really work well.

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  47. Does anyone have a link to the game pls?

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    1. http://nbaliveonline.tv/nbalive/watch/?match=D&link=1&game=San%20Antonio%20Spurs%20at%20Houston%20Rockets

      You're welcome

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  48. JLin's defense on Parker needs to pick up.

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  50. Another 3 from downtown ok ok ok.... keep it up tho

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  51. Just when LIN GETS HOT, he gets benched. Mcfail needs to go back to his old Mcjob. God dammnit.

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    1. It's the defense. JLin has been better on defense but he needs to lock down on Parker even more.

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    2. I like Sampson's rotations quite a bit better than McHale's

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    3. i've been suspicious, does McHale and the coaching staff want Lin to bust??

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    4. They probably want to trade him away thiking that overpaying him was a huge mistake

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    5. Loads of coaches with wacky rotations in the NBA, doesn't mean they want certain players to fail

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  52. Watch how Douglas sticks with Parker.

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    1. ok i m watching..all i see it his arm waving all over the play...he may "looks" like he is playing good d but its all just "look"

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  53. LOL! Great call by the coach put Douglas in for Lin for a straight 2 points of turnover

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  54. JLIN's 3 wasnt aggressive enough. BENCH

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  55. LOL Lin makes a 3 then plays great D on Parker and McHale subs him out of the game

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    1. JLin's D can be better on Parker that's why Douglas is in.

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  56. it looks like the coaches are asking Lin to be a shooting guard

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  57. Lol. Took him out when he is hot! Hah! That is how's the Houston coaching is .

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    1. I think it's stupid too but JLin needs to pressure Parker. PRESSURE.

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  58. Lets see what Dougie gonna do...

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  59. Come on Jeremy! Show em you still got it now that nobody is stealing the ball from you!

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  60. Lin didn't make a 4 point play thats why he was benched. Lin has been playing like a sg ever since Harden's 2 monster games.

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  61. Omg McGale, wth are you doing? Just made a nice 3, and immediately got benched. JLin's just heating it up, let the kid play dammit. Almost seem like they are out to prevent linsanity from occuring again. I just don't get it man.

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  62. i've been a long time reader of this site and the game thread comments. but i just want to point out one thing.

    everyone is saying how its the team, or jeremy is scared, or the coaches are this or that. but at the end of the day, nobody really knows what is expected of him by the coaches or what he wants himself.

    not alot of information is released to the public because they want to keep the edge. i mean Lin could be still injured or have a new injury, or the coaches may not want Lin to be hunted down like he was at the end of linsanity

    its all just conspiracy theories. i hope that one day it'll all become clear and that Lin can pick up his game

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    1. oh c'mon injury? he looks like hes in good shape right now.

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    2. I think any explanation is better than the terrible conspiracy theories that pop up regarding malice on the part of McHale, Sampson, and even Asik of all people.

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    3. what i'm saying is that nobody truly knows. so why is an injury that hard to believe when people on this site are adamant that this is pure racism thats holding Lin back

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  63. TONEY DOUGLAS GREAT DEFENSE ON TONEY PARKER LOL

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  64. Douglas doing a great job so far 8-3 run for the Spurs so far LOL

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  65. wow Doggy can shoot quite well. I have a feeling hes going to outshine Lin tonight. Bye bye Lin.

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  66. I personally think delfino shoot too much.

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  67. Replies
    1. I thought that was a 3! Hmmm . . . Better look at it again.

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  68. Lin being SG doing SG. That is what you're suppose to do, PLAY YOUR POSITION!

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  69. Why didn't he try that kind of shots before? Just taking those shots confidently? Why? Because Harden took all of them. Great shot by Lin. No, Lin is not injured.

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    1. He needs to take those shots more often to punish opponents who cheat on the screens! Great to see Lin waking up tonight

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    2. He def has waken up tonight.

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  70. Good calls from the refs for the Rockets tonight.

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  71. maybe that was the coach's message, step up or be benched and it seems to be working.

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  72. Lin stroking it tonight. Looks like the Rockets seem to be PG by committee. Sometimes its Lin, sometimes its Harden, sometimes its Douglas, sometimes Parsons and even Delfino

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  73. Someone needs to stick with Neal. If JLin is on Neal. He needs to be aware not to be helping on defense too much when Neal is at the arc.

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  74. Douglas wont pass Lin the ball.. interesting

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  75. Man, the Spurs are beating the hell out of Asik

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  76. Neal just had a wide open shot for a 3. Who's assignment was it. Damn. Luckily he didnt't make it.

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  77. Asik is getting all those calls like damnn

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  78. Looks like the strategy is to either shoot the 3 or feed Asik for a layup

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  79. Take out Douglas! He should be playing shooting guard when Lin's on the floor.

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    1. What is McHale doing. As you said, JLin shoudl be the point. WTF.

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    2. pg = distributor, sg = scorer, they need jlin to score tonight

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  80. Seems like Dougie is brining up the ball most times?

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  81. How can JLin miss that layup. C'mon.

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  82. Replies
    1. I think Lin was expecting contact, probably

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    2. He was probably pushed last second. Refs don't call contact. They call the names on the jerseys.

      This isn't just Lin either. It's 90% of players. This is why I didn't watch NBA until J-Lin.

      It's a sham sport plagued by documented cases of corruption (e.g. Tim Donaghy).

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    3. I was watching it on my computer so it's not all that clear but it really didn't look like there was any contact at all when I watched it live. Certainly wasn't a foul type of situation

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  84. Duncan illegal screen pushing Lin? No call lol!

    Duncan smacked Lin's hand? No shooting foul lol!

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  85. Loses the lead. Mchale: F LIN. IMma take him out like ronald mcdonald on america

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  86. Liking that JLin attacking the basket today but try to finish.

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  87. OMG LIN KEEPS MISSING SIMPLE LAYUPS WTHH

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    1. on th bight side, he is attacking the basket. good.

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    2. So are Parker and Ginobili and every other star guard in the NBA.

      The difference is that Jeremy doesn't get superstar whistles. Total NBA bull. FG%s are down this year because only "stars" are getting contact. I'm fine with no-calls...just be consistent.

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    3. After Lin injured his knee, he doesn't have enough elevation in his jump.
      He needs to do what Nash does and just flip the ball up to the rim without jumping .... that way the defender can't time his jump to block the shot.

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  88. Parker is a beast. Can't play that close to him, TD!

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  89. Tony Parker is just too good. The Rockets bigs are useless.

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  90. Yeah Douglas is the better defender definitely.

    Said no one ever

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  91. Pass it to parson is not a good idea in this game.

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  92. TD is playing with loads of confidence right now

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    1. his mentality is to beat Lin today even tho they are in the same team lol

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    2. Yes and TD playing the point when both he and Jlin are on the floor does not bode well for Jeremy.

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  93. I like the attacking, just need to finish at the rim now.

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  94. Watching this game....I wish Houston never got Harden. Everything flows better without him on offense and the defense is better as well. Also Jeremy gets more touches.

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    1. yeah, starting to think the same. Maybe harden should get his role changed from leading scorer to play defence

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  95. This is not working. It's like you make one and I make one. The Rockets need to make some defensive stops and stop playing so franticlly every possesion. Give JLin the ball and play some high pick and rolls.

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  96. They run pick and roll for dougie?? and just tell Jeremy to shoot threes? WTF!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. clearly, dougie is the pg and linny is the sg - _ -

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    2. Lin had a couple of PnR plays in the first Q

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  97. Delfino and Parsons couldn't buy a basket today.

    JLin needs smaller shoes, at least his treys are all landing. The no call on his layups are pure bs.

    Without Harden Rockets is actually a team, go figure.

    I think McHale is setting up Douglasanity though.

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    1. He's keeping Douglas in because he's shooting very well....well then have him play SHOOTING guard then...stupid Mchale

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  98. They call fouls whenever the Spurs go to the rim, but they rarely call a foul when the Rockets players draw contact at the rim. That's the benefit of an older "veteran" team like the Spurs, they get calls because the officials are old buddies with them.

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    1. It's not all the Spurs. Just Parker and Ginobili. Every "star" gets whistles on minor contact. Harden gets them too.

      Players who aren't established or don't "look" athletic, never get them unless it's clear and in front of the ref.

      That's why I won't criticize Jeremy's layups as long as he's attacking full-steam ahead. He can't control corrupt refs...no one ever has. He can only embarrass them into submission by continuing to attack.

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  99. Im actually looking forward to the beginning of the second half so I can see Jeremy play without douglas. Sheesh...he cant win..first Harden and now Douglas...

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    1. you're assuming that they won't be on at the same time

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  100. Just to sum it up at half time right now,

    Douggy is playing better than Lin as of now.

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    1. Douggy is being given more freedom then Lin as of now

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    2. douggy just has loads of confidence

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  101. Half-time thoughts

    - The main reason Houston is keeping up with Spurs is that the three is falling. Houston is currently shooting 60% from beyond the arc. I am not confident that such hot shooting will be maintained in the second half. We will see.

    - Lin is attacking the rim. He's not finishing at the rim, but he is drawing fouls and creating space for others. I would say that this is one of the better offensive games this season for Lin.

    - Objectively speaking, I can't say that Lin is actually playing better than TD right now, at least on the offensive end. On the defensive end, TD has the tougher matchup against Parker. While loads of comments are about TD not really succeeding against Parker, we have to recall that Lin was no better against Parker as well. The problem is that Parker has the tools against both of them. Lin tends to slag off his man, so Parker was killing it with his midrange. TD tends to stick close to his man, so Parker is attacking the basket. This is more or less a "pick your poison" situation. This is also why a good PnR PG needs a good midrange game!

    - Speaking of Parker, he's already 14/7 on nearly 18 mins played on 4 of 6 shooting. What a player.


    Overall, Lin is playing "ok", but he's playing within himself and not forcing it too much. No turnovers but not assists either, although he should have at least have had one from Asik (ifI recall correctly). But can't blame Asik for blowing a lay-up when Lin has blown a few haha

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    1. Completely agree with everything. Hot shooting will cool down. The frantic pace needs to cool down also. Defense needs to pickup even more and make stops. JLin needs to run the point and attack and distribute like he did in NY.

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  102. Why is only JLin assigned to run to the corner every time. No one else on the Rox do it, just JLin? Is this what you called McHale's genius offense? JLin's a pg dammit. PGs don't camp out at the corner. Only idiots put an attacking guard at the corner on every play. This is so frustrating to watch.

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  103. I hope Douglas' mind set is play as a team with Lin and not play selfishly

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  104. Did JLin just drive with his left....

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  105. Hey Lin has pulled out his floater at last! Nice penetration by Lin

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