Big win last night! Sort of what I envisioned when I said they could become one of the best backcourts.
Love the trade. Got the best talent in the exchange. TRob will be used in another move or JLin will turn him into a monster inside.
Nets are playing well. JLin loves playing in NY and you know that DWill and JLin will be going at it.
D-Will is always playing harder against Lin, hopefully another W tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteOk I just connected the dots with Jeremy's uncharacteristic technical. There have been plenty of BS calls in the past but last night it was the emotions from seeing 4 teammates get traded that sent him over the edge. He was saying "I don't even wanna play tonight."
ReplyDeleteThat makes the win that much more cathartic.
DeleteThe way the game was won last night was such a feel good moment. Hollywood couldn't have scripted it better.
And what about the audience? Full house! Did they give tickets away for free?
DeleteIt was TD appreciation day.
Delete:)
DeleteIt appears that none of the players or coaches knew about the trade until just prior to last night's trade. I can understand the players not needing to know, but shouldn't the coaches have been consulted? After all, they need to strategize and they must have a plan for the rest of the season. Shouldn't the right hand know what the left hand is doing?
ReplyDeleteThere's no hiding of open secrets in the NBA.
DeleteBad blood would abound.
McHale definitely knew and perhaps secretly approved.
DeleteMcHale and Morey definitely talked about roster moves. McHale just deflected any trade talk to Morey as it should be. He wouldn't want players second-guessing if coaches plan to ship them out which will bring down morale.
It started with word that Marcus Morris was inactive; when Kevin McHale was questioned by the local media about it, he quipped “ask Daryl.”
I read somewhere that McHale said he knew but kept it from the team.
DeleteHarden + Lin vs McHail
ReplyDeleteBased on several successful bailout plays by Lin from Harden in the OKC game, I had a thought. If Harden really appreciates Lin's game and presence on the court and wants Lin to play more minutes together, on some set plays, Harden could first handle the ball and kill most of the play clock and then pass to Lin with around 5 sec left. This will force Lin to shoot or create his own shot without even thinking about passing. Lin seem to score more efficiently and creatively with the clock running out.
McHail can't touch Harden, but Harden can indirectly send a message to the coaches that he wants and needs Lin on the court.
Harden can do this 3 to 5 times a games, and Lin's score should increase by another 5 points on average.
I guess this also comes down to how good the chemistry is between Lin and Harden. There are things you can do to help out your teammate without direct confrontation with your superior.
Very interesting point. I agree that Lin plays his best when he's not overthinking it and just goes by his instincts.
DeleteBandwagon
ReplyDeleteLOL
ReplyDeleteJeremy Lin @JLin7
Got my first ever technical last night and lost $2000...makes me angry when i realize thats 2000 mcchickens or 4000 jack in the box tacos
But he gained 10,000+ respect points, which will translate into $10+ million dollars per year when he signs a new contract.
Delete$10+ million mcchickes or jacktacos - BIG TIME BELLYACHE.
No wonder McHell never backs his players up cuz he's worried about his McChickens.
DeleteHahaha awesome!
DeleteIt's pretty awesome getting a T on the bench for a demonstrative "You Suck Ref" dance!
DeleteAt least he didn't T from laughing on the bench like Tim Duncan did :D
LOL refs got money on Mavs in that game.
DeleteI've been dying to comment on Jeremy's technical. Worth every penny! Show your teammates that you have their backs.
DeleteHe got a technical while speaking up on behalf of a teammate, Greg Smith .... not complaining about bad ref calls to himself.
DeleteLOL awesome, you go Jeremy :)
DeleteIf he keeps talking like that they will sponsor him and give him food for free :)
DeleteI can already see the next advert -> JLin, wearing his ketchup mustard jersey, sitting in his red Volvo, ordering McChicken sandwiches in the drive-through...
Jeremy's twitter followers jumped by >4000 after this tweet - the best tweet by him so far!
DeleteTalking about food can get you sympathy. What do people always say? Love goes through the stomach or something?
Delete"What do people always say? Love goes through the stomach or something?"
DeleteIt seems address to the man mostly! To get a man's heart is to feed his stomach first, that's what I heard people say and read all the time! Not sure it's true or not.
Talking about food = simple wants, uncomplicated nature.[LOL]
Delete@lydia - I think they say it as "a way to a man's heart is though his stomach"
Delete*through
Deletehey kfc china does sponsored him am i right?last summer via
DeleteYEAH, @jd :)
DeleteThey prolly heard of 06:10 - THE LEGEND OF 40 CHICKEN WINGS, referenced here in "THE SECRET OF SHOOTING" [Where Kobe gave him shooting advice while they partake of their shared love of chicken wings...served by Yao Ming.]
[CHINESE ORIGINAL]
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ReplyDeletehttp://www.deseretnews.com/article/865572522/Christian-NBA-star-Jeremy-Lin-headlines-uplifting-YouTube-video-video.html?pg=all
ReplyDeleteStephen A. Smith going crazy and going off on NYESPN Radio about the Knicks after they got a smack down by the Pacers yesterday. It is times like this that brings me great joy to enjoy the drama, that is the NY Knicks and Jim Dolans and SAS. Hahahahaha. Let the comedy of errors continue.
ReplyDeleteSAS said he might have to rethink his position on Lin after what the Rockets did last night to OKC and he said Houston is coming and Knicks are doing nothing. Don't even talk playoffs.
DeleteI think everyone from fans to pros to media to head offices to Lin Fans to intelligent Carmelo Fans knew the Knicks were a shipwreck in waiting when they signed a bunch of old guys, out of shape guys, and journeyman type guys and jettisoned Lin out of their plans.
DeleteThe start to their season was a mirage. They are now down back to earth. There is no return for the Knicks. They will hobble into the playoffs and get eliminated in round 1. That is their future until Kobe Bryant joins up after next season or if CP3 is insane and goes there this summer. By then Kobe will be way too old regardless of his skill and talent. Only a CP3 type can save them and I bet he stays in LA. It will make for good TV, but the NYK won't be real contenders for anything anytime soon.
The Knicks are a joke and Lin was lucky to get out of there. SAS is a joke and talks out of whatever side of his mouth suits him on that particular day. The fact we discuss him here is a damn shame.
Nah, SAS is COOL.
DeleteHe is ESPN's official anti Lin stooge, parroting the "con" view against evertbody else's "pro" view.
SAS keeps viewers informed and interested in Lin. I enjoy his rants, because they're totally fake.
SAS is different to me than the majority of journalists who write racist garbage against Asians using Jeremy as their literary target.
To be honest, I rather enjoy SAS' preachings on NBA idols. At least, he doesn't try to hide his biases. At least, his biases appear to be changing.
DeleteWhen SAS first started on ESPN, I thought he was a breath of fresh air as his debates were based on his observations rather than commonly accepted beliefs.
DeleteLater on, say starting about 5 years ago, he seems to have become a pundit who is high on predetermined attitudes with political agendas and low on actual observations.
I guess it's easy to say what you want when you're starting out but not so after you're hands are tied financially to bosses and sponsors.
SAS vs Bayless on ESPN
Delete=
KHuang vs Etane on JLin forum here
very entertaining and most of time informative :)
Nah, Etane and I are MORE FUN than Bayless/SAS.
DeleteEtane knows his basketball better than both Bayless and SAS put together. I totally respect his acumen, just like I respect everyone here.
Etane, those guys are "stiffs" compared to you - albeit not the "big white refrigerator type"!
So which one is SAS, KHuang or Etane? That's the question...
DeleteI'm SAS, because I'm like the only person on this forum that defends SAS!
DeleteYah we could start our own radio talk show. I am ready for a mid life crisis career change.
DeleteAnd, it's "PASTY white refrigerators". = D
OK - the myth about JLin not being able to go left, dribble left and score left... who started it? The myth that JLin was a turnover machine... who started it?
DeleteThen again - I understand your position. SAS doesnt even try to hide what an ass he is. That is indeed still better than racists who hide behind their stupid articles.
Well that's the whole plea to authority ordeal. SAS has to give those statements his stamp of approval as a basketball pundit for there to be any weight behind them. No sense in saying those things and then hide the source cuz then no one will believe them.
Deletedisagree. video below shows how i see the relationship between KHuang & Etane:
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM3lU2wiUL0
McKay is even worst than SAS. He just marginalized Lin's win yesterday after some posters tweeted him that the Knicks were wrong to let Lin go and look what Lin did vs OKC yesterday. Sometimes listening to that big head is not worth listening to and I tune to another station. I am surprised that somebody is able to tolerate him and married him. She's an anchor for a television station too. Anything can happen in this world.
DeleteMy response .
DeleteLMAO m.c!
DeleteJohn, not surprise to me! Heard about the phrase : "you are the apple of my eyes"?. Mchale's wife must see something we didn't see! As a coach maybe he's bad but maybe as a husband and dad, he's good!
DeleteHaha just listened to that radio clip, SAS is just BLASTING, BLASTING Knicks for losing that bad to Pacers. STAT is just their punching bag.
DeleteThe part they talk about Houston:
SAS changing his position
Its at around the 32 minute position.
DeleteIf SAS is a guilty pleasure for viewing a hot mess of s brain, what will KH and ET give besides such good discussion? EBromance kisses? Let's get it ON ... Msrvin Gsye style :-)
Deletes equals a
DeleteGrantland's "Pu Pu Platter" trade
ReplyDeleteBill Simmons: It was an amazing trade for them. My buddy House and I always called these types of trades "pu pu platter" trades.
You know when you order Chinese food in college and it seems like a great idea to order a giant pu pu platter for the table because you get so many things with it? Then the big pu pu platter arrives and it always sucks? You have lukewarm spareribs and overcooked chicken wings and soggy egg rolls? And you wish you had just spent that money on their best entrée? That's what this trade was.
Houston dealt lukewarm spareribs, overcooked chicken wings and soggy egg rolls for a piping-hot dish of kung pao chicken.
Sam Amick @sam_amick
ReplyDeleteAs the trade deadline turns, I'm told Houston is no longer in the mix for Atlanta's Josh Smith - with 109 minutes to go anyways.
Bill Ingram @TheRocketGuy
@sam_amick Can't imagine them giving up Asik, as the Hawks wanted.
Houston's front office loves TRob. He ain't gonna get traded and here to stay.
ReplyDeleteSam Amick @sam_amick
In case there was any confusion from before (when all I did was spark confusion), the Rockets are in love with Thomas Robinson.
Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
ReplyDeleteIf Hawks hold on to Josh Smith past trade deadline, there is basically zero chance he re-signs w/ATL. That's what team like Houstons likes.
Sekou Smith @SekouSmithNBA
DeleteJosh Smith: "Atlanta will be on my list in free agency." Pretty obvious that all options remain on the table for Smith and the Hawks.
Chris Broussard @Chris_Broussard
DeleteOne exec involved in talks w/ATL for J Smith now saying "50/50 chance he gets traded." That's a downgrade from yesterday.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKnicks changing lineup?
ReplyDeleteMarc Berman @NYPost_Berman
Woodson said considering lineup change for more O. Copeland maybe.
So what? Move Melo back to SF and Copeland at PF. Continue to bring Amare off the bench?
DeleteWoodson should insert Stephen A at SF/SG. He'll bring energy!
DeleteJared Zwerling @JaredZwerling
DeleteWhile #Knicks appear interested in Jeramine O'Neal, their perimeter D needs the most work. Guys tend to like Woodson, but coaching changes are key.
It's 2:15 p.m est and JSmith's latest:
ReplyDeleteAdrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA
Atlanta and Milwaukee still seriously engaged on Josh Smith, league sources tell Y! Sports.
Steve Kyler @stevekylerNBA
DeleteAll signs pointing to Josh Smith landing in Milwaukee if he is indeed dealt... 43 minutes to go.
Howard Chen @ho_chenCSN
ReplyDeleteLin on last night: "We wanted to win that for James (Harden)" - wanted to atone for past two losses to OKC.
Howard Chen @ho_chenCSN
DeleteLin: still feels weird w/out the traded 4. Says he's not used to trades in general just yet. it'll feel weird not sitting nxt to TD on plane
Lin is weirded out by being the guy who WASN'T ejected this season!
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ReplyDeleteHow the Kings lost yet another money-saving trade
ReplyDeleteNice read ... thanks jlfan4vs
DeleteI wonder how much 2Pat can score without Lin ...
DeleteThat's it folks. NO MORE TRADING FOR ROCKETS:
ReplyDeleteRic Bucher @RicBucher 3 minutes ago
Chance of Rockets making another deal in next 30 minutes not likely. But count on them being active again this summer.
NY sport radio Jared Max was questioning the Knicks shouldn't let JL walk. They said a lot good thing on Jeremy Lin.
ReplyDeletehttp://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=8969751&s=espn
start at 0:05:00
I listened to them. One thing they said was that Lin was a great team player who made others enjoy playing with him. Aside from his basketball skills, Lin's strength is that he enjoys playing basketball and wants to play as a team. And he wants to win even if his own stats suffer. I cannot emphasize how important it is to have a guy like that on your team. This leads to my other point, which is Mac is not utilizing Lin's strength. Even though Harden is a better offensive player or scorer, Rockets and their coaches need to let Lin be their leader of the team because he has the right attitude. That they do not utilize this aspect of Lin's strength (very rare attribute in NBA player) is sad.
Deletephenomenal posts, eb5attoeney and alan xie.
DeleteI think what separates Lin as eb5 alluded to, is that few players as good as Lin at the NBA level, are willing team players or team first guys. Lin isn't a stooge role player Mchale or whomever else wants him to be. Lin has a game changer effect but a willing team player mentality. That is why he is so rare.
DeleteSure other players are better in talent, but the alternative is a Westbrook/Kobe/Melo, who even if they are team guys, don't play or act like such on the court very often. Look at D Howard and the effect an egotistical teammate like Kobe, though supremely talented, can have on a weak minded & talented big in Howard.
I think everyone recognized that Lin was a team first type of guy last year. He can galvanize a team and I don't think that was questioned. I think his talent and ability was questioned. I think most failed to realize Lin was legit and he wasn't a lucky son of a gun as many people still want to make him out to be.
Once everyone around the league comes around on Lin, the Knicks will look like an absolute joke and their decision to let Lin walk for nothing will be laughed about for years to come on shows like "top 10 NBA debacles of all time."
eb5....
Deletekeep this in mind: on ANY team, the leader of the team, the guy that all players will follow and rally around, is NOT determined by the coaching staff.
knicks are a perfect example. Melo is the designated leader but do others see him as one? heck no. Lin was at the end of the bench and players rallied around him during Linsanity even though he didn't asked to be the leader, he didn't demand it, he was just himself and they were attracted him like moths to candle.
i won't be so quick to to jump to the conclusion that houston coaching staff is not letting lin to be the leader of the team. we have no idea what goes on in practice, what is being said between lin and players during games, and what goes on off the court.
if you have leadership qualities, you have it. it will come out and people will see it and follow it. it's not something that someone 'allows' you to be. you just.. be. it's a natural selection process.
also, we do know that when bev was signed by the rockets he mentioned lin as being a leader of the team. parson's said lin is a good pg and GREAT leader. bev today also mentioned that he intends to talk to lin to death about poke his brains now that he's the undisputed backup pg.
whether or not the coaches want him to be a leader won't matter. the fact is he already is one of the rockets and that's a big reason why they're overachieving at this point.
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Delete00:20:00
DeleteHosts defend Lin against a guy who claims Lin cant play defense. They even defend his TOs saying some of his high TO games were his best games. They love JLin for sure.
The guys on that show were extremely complimentary of Jeremy Lin. They seem bitter that New York Knicks let Jeremy go.
DeletePersonally I don't mind if NY fans ding on Lin. What are you going to do when you lose darling JL who ignited they team said above. I do mind Rox fans not appreciating what they have.
DeleteI dont know if they were always thinking this way. Knicks won games. Then JLin came to town and kicked their asses. He was the first one of many to kick their asses real bad :)
DeleteJoe team... My sentiments exactly. It's mind boggling how some of these Houston fans still reminisce over dragic or lowery I have never seen a fan base so eager to trash their own player. Bunch of morons..
DeleteSolidz ... thx for noting. Yeah, I like to read through CF to find Torocan, etc, but it's nasty sometimes. Yet, I don't keep stats ... it's just that I think the culture there is pretty juvenile. It's not just CF ... the stadium is empty. GSW fans don't punish the owners even in bad years, so some say the team couldn't improve fast because the stadium is always full. But this year, they did improve and good for the loyals. Even in the GSW/Rox game, the fans did their job for GSW even thought you could see a sea of JLin fans (eye test and jerseys and of course, the middle-aged Chinese ladies with their husbands. Can't imagine them to be out there for David Lee ... prob got fooled by the roster :-)
DeleteTROB ftw! I really like what he brings. Defense, strength, PnR, dunkability, and loves running the open floor. Perfect for run and gun offense. I hope what Lillard did for Hickson will be what Lin does with TRob.
ReplyDeleteA. I hope at some point the Rockets learn that Lin must play 40 min and over against the top 7-10 teams in the NBA. Those are the games that matter and where Lin can really effect the game. His 25-29 minutes against OKC/Spurs/Miami/Denver types in the past was a joke. Lin can afford to only play 25-30 min against the other 20 teams in the NBA because those teams stink, Lin's backups can't screw up too badly, and Lin's 4th Q play isn't even needed. It's such a simple fix but apparently nobody in the Rockets organization can see this....
ReplyDeleteB. The Rockets look better without Morris and PPatt at least against OKC. I actually liked Morris's game but felt he was a 3 who was misused in Houston and good luck getting PT behind Parsons who plays 45 minutes a game.
PPAT could shoot but do little else. Just not having them on the floor together along with Delfino and Beverly as a shot missing bench mob helped Houston win that game.
I was amazed now flat the cak moved on Lin's last 3. Harden to cp to lin. So car the call was only harden to lin!
DeleteHow fast the ball moved ...
DeleteSwing. It's not just about the minutes but how McHale is using the,. Nothing boggles my mind more hthan McHale automatically out about 2/3 thru the 1st quarter especially when he is heating up, as well as sitting Lin for long stretches between 3rd and 4th. He almost seems to do everything he can to disrupt lin's rhythm.
DeleteYes, the has been happening all season and there should be enough streak win/loss evidence the weird rotations are affecting team performance. That's why in soccer, you only get 2 subs, and then you go with what you have over 90 minutes. When you have overtime, some guys cramp up, etc. But, that's where a team rhythm is tests ... that and rugby. So I don't get why McHale doesn't understand that, being a player himself, etc. It's so important in a live action team sport, unlike football or baseball.
DeleteSeason-to-date RAPM isn't available right now, but this article was written when it was, and it has Lin as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nba.com/hoop/the_devil_is__the_dtails_2013_02_05.html
I guess ppl will still think he is "deceptively good" defender after reading this?
DeleteIt's probably better to let opponents keep thinking Lin is a defensive liability.
DeleteThey'll keep plowing the ball at him, and he'll keep getting stops.
If I were coaching against Lin, I'd try to keep the ball away from Lin's side of the court. He's so dangerous, either in getting stops or in breaking up the passing lanes.
I think the TRobinson deal was planned a long time back. Remember TD getting all those minutes and Jeremy sitiing and we all complained? They were hyping TD for a trade. Then brought in Beverly as a substitute and gave him more tryout minutes over TD, making sure Beverly could handle the offense before shipping out TD. Most of us saw that coming. It didn't help either that TD got hurt, which gave Beverly more chances.
ReplyDeleteThe surprise trade is morris for a second rounder. Wasn't morris a first rounder? My guess is they will use this second rounder as extra incentive to close another major deal soon. Don't be surprised if they recall mentalcase, "what's his name in D-league ( can't remember his name)?". Give him some burn time and use him as another throwin to the big deal.
Delete@mt:
DeleteYou could be right. They could have been hyping TD for the trade. Then again - it could be the opposite.
What if McHale prefered TD to Lin? What if Morey thought - OK - Les wants Lin to play. McHale prefers TD. Lets trade TD and see who McHale will play?
Who knows...
According to my logik -> if Beverly gets too much PT hes a gonner :)
DeleteIsabeliJane noticed something important yesterday:
ReplyDeleteLin was defended by max contract shotblocker Serge Ibaka!
Nothing against Russell Westbrook, but he could not guard Lin and so Ibaka was shifted over. And STILL Lin scored and assisted.
Lin also had good defense agains Westbrook, hounding him into missed shots and turnovers.
Kudos to Isabelijane for noting these developments.
Did you guys notice in the Jlin highlights that after Harden made that mid point shot, that he was high fiving all of the players and the coaches, and when Harden got to McHale, Harden blew him off and walked right by him. Mchale was trying to get his attention and Harden blew him off. Also somebody on one of the other sites stated that Les was at the game and he looked very serious. Some thought Les was there to send the coaching team a message because many think Les and sponsors were not happy with Lin's minutes being diminished. Also I don't think Mchale knew about the trades. They asked him at shoot around and he stated that he only found out 30 minutes before the game. Something is obviously happening behind the scenes with Rockets management.Also I saw Sampson laughing it up and high fiving Lin last nite. What do you think?
DeleteLesanity?
DeleteI think that this is a NORMAL team dynamic where people can hate each other but win together.
DeleteAs long as Harden adheres to the game plan and McHale keeps letting his guys win games, they can all snarl at each other when they collect their paychecks.
@awarde,
DeleteI've definitely noticed this. After the Golden State game McHale ran to Harden's side walking off court, talking to him urgently, and Harden never looked at him. So then McHale ran up to walk beside Lin and talk to him.
I have a hard time figuring out what it could be. The optimist in me hopes it is Harden seeing how Lin is used as McHale's whipping boy, and taken out of games too much, but the realist in me says it's just Harden being cocky.
I'm not sure McHale should have fawned over Harden quite so much because it's hard to keep respect like that.
@Michael Terry, if I didn't know any better, i don't think Harden likes Mchale. He doesn't treat Sampson or any of the other coaches like that. I really feel in my gut that McHale will not be there next season, and one of the reasons is because of Harden.JMO
Delete@Michael Terry, i love all of your posts, because you make a lot of sense.
DeleteHarden has been ignoring McHale for a while now.
DeleteLike I said a few thread ago, I'm almost thinking Harden is leading the revolt, Lin/Asik has been seen ignoring McHale on court when he yells at either one for a few games now, Lin is getting better at it. How much you all wanna bet its something they either picked up or copied from Harden?
@Kenoshi, i think you might be on to something. Harden seems to flat out disrespect Mchale. When they are huddling, Harden is looking away. Do you think Harden will do well with another superstar along side of him? I don't think so. Harden is the "alpha dog male", who really doesn't like sharing the spotlight. He and Lin get along because Lin doesn't mind taking the backseat as long as he able to play the way he wants to. Another superstar with another "alpha dog mentality", would not do well with Harden.
Deleteperhaps we shouldn't get too far reading into Harden's body language. He's generally expressionless in talking to other coaches and even his teammates so there's no preferential treatment so far. If he treats one nicer than the other, there might be a case there.
DeleteAnd idk if there are supporting evidence yet that Harden doesn't like supporting the spotlight with Lin. As long as he works well with Lin on and off court without making 'ridiculous' comment or sabotaged plays ala Melo, he's a good, unselfish star just like Lin.
Harden and Lin need each other to succeed. They just need one more star to compete with the Heat, OKC, Spurs.
It appears to me that Harden is an alpha male in the mold of Lin, albeit Harden is still learning how to BE a true alpha male.
DeleteA true alpha male like Lin is unafraid of anyone and thus happily shares the spotlight with other alpha males. Lin always ends up aa the leader because he makes sure even the smallest guys are accounted for (i.e. feeling bad about his ex teammates when they were traded).
A beta male artificially thrust into a leadership position acts insecurely toward the people "under" him. He acts macho and tries to be "da man", not realizing that his power comes from his followers and not from himself.
Harden appears to me to be a true alpha male who was never taught how to be an alpha. Harden played the last three years in OKC where Durant and Westbrook are betas. It always seemed as if Westbrook was competing with his teaates for shots, unlike Lin who happily spreads the wealth and tries to make sure everybody is involved. Harden had to grab his opportunities on that team because nobody was sharing.
Now on the Rockets, Harden is starting to realize that he's going to get his opportunities without having to undermine others. That's directly attributable to mainly Lin who unselfishly tries to set up others. Also, McHale's motion system that preaches ball movement does get some credit. The more Harden plays with Lin, the more unselfish Harden becomes. It's nice to see that not only does Harden not feel any jealousy toward Lin, he also doesn't feel any insecurity over setting up others to succeed.
I would like to see Harden develop into a full alpha male like Lin. The two stars can take turns leading and following, depending on the matchups.
Harden has been tuning out McHale most of the year. This was clearly noticeable during the sac game, when I saw harden drifting into space during timeouts. These players know which coaches are good. Remember Lin calling d'antoni an offensive genius? And I'm sure McHale sounds like an idiot compared to his former coach, Scott brooks.
DeleteIt's clear to me that the players are winning despite McHale and the team probably lost a handful of games due to Mchale's poor coaching. This will especially be noticeable during the playoffs. McHale will be exposed.
Hey KHuang, lots of respect for you man. I hope you don't get offended but I don't agree with categorizing Lin as an alpha male, reason is because this term really only applies to the animal kingdom, and doesn't say much of his effort to be a humble baller that plays in a thugged out world we call the NBA while struggling through innumerable amount of hardships and racism to get here.
DeleteFor example: An alpha would never feel he isn't deserving of something. An alpha would not know the concept of humility, he asserts control by dominance acquired by any means necessary. If Lin was a true alpha male, he would never feel undeserving of ASG nor would he care what people think about him.
But we all know he is a lot more enlightened than that. I know we all have some of that animal instinct in us, and sometimes I wish he would follow it more, but Lin is just so much more than that.
I think Lin and Harden are both extremely highly driven at a superstar level, but their personalities are vastly different. Lin is more feeling, Harden is more asserting. Both tries to lead by example, except Lin is a more natural leader than Harden.
Funny thing is, if you look at it, their situation ON COURT is very similar, except roles are reversed in time.
For example, Lin is basically where Harden was last year. Harden is finally at a place where he is allowed to be a leader.
I think you are spot on in saying that Harden was trust into a leadership position but not trained to do so, and he is learning from Lin how to be an effective leader. Lin does this by the way of all good leaders: by example. He sacrifices himself over and over, just look at how many assists he was robbed of. And most of all, Harden saw how Lin consistently pass the ball off even though he has the ability to just attack and score. As he spent more time with Lin, he realizes what a great partner he has in Lin.
And he doesn't have to worry about the ball not making its way back to him, Lin shares the ball, all Harden has to do is to attack gaps created by Lin, because Lin will look to pass first attack second unless he catches defense offguard, which he often does.
I think like you said, at some point Harden learned this from Lin, and is not afraid to let others shine. Because any good leader knows, like you said, it is by empowering your team that empowers you to accomplish your objectives, not by limiting them.
And I'm sure Harden isn't blind to the harsh treatment Lin is suffering, and although this is a bit of theorycrafting, I see Harden interact well with his teammates on Rockets, but not so much with McHale, I've noticed him ignore McHale many times, also Sampson on occasion...Because his assertiveness simply won't put up with this unfair treatment and he lets coaching know ON COURT.
How many times have we seen Harden cheer Lin off and on the court?
I think they are going to be THE DUO to be talked about for a very long time...I think even bigger than Lebron-Wade.
You can be so lucid, @KH...
DeleteWhen everyone respect themselves enough to appreciate their role in the whole, and stop needing to feed their ego by playing a zero-sum game, things work beautifully. The deep ecology of complementarity [in a team, of 2 people or 15] is such that no part no matter how small it appears, is insignificant, and it's the shallowest understanding of equality to insists on the crude symmetries.
A team with JLin is a team that stops thinking I this, me that. People stop fighting for crumbs, and learn to value themselves and stop believing in lies [that compels them to compare themselves to another.] They begin to take pride in what they themselves can bring towards the team, for the team, and not their individual glory. By his example he teaches them to look beyond the petty self, to something bigger, a common goal, the team's success.
Perhaps it's JLin's Faith [whether in himself, or in God, or God's favor in him, etc.] It allows him to extend himself long enough to overcome the fear and cynicism in his team mates. And how wise and humble to know [and accept] that he needs to believe.
---
[As for Alphas/ Betas: Aren't all men born Alphas until social education crush them into betahood? Beta-ness is a sad social adaptation, it is learned, and unfortunately, learned all too well.]
A TRUE ALPHA can afford to see the not-pretty truth head-on, he needs no airbrushing. JLin can, and that's why he KNOWS to be careful. JLin can, and that's why he KNOWS it'll take sacrifice on his part. <- That's how much he knows about the real side of life.
The MACHO-ACTING: It's a matter of diff goals/ intentions. JLin's intentions are no less than to change the underlying culture. The "betas" you reference acts out of hunger, fear, need.
JLin wants to give [he has it to give, you see.] The "betas" can't afford to give anything, they are a bottomless abyss of ego-need, they aim to feed, take.
JLin: You, you, you.
Other: I, I, I.
People CAN see JLin. But they don't have the courage to change their minds. They are no idle witnesses, but complicit in perpetuating lies. PEOPLE ALWAYS KNOW WHAT THEY DO, even if they try to hide from their self-awareness.
[Not talking about Harden] :)
[Argh, keep forgetting to refresh the page when returning to post. Posted without reading @Kenoshi's post.]
DeleteI don't think I'm alone in thinking that Harden as not a Beta of any kind. There is no need to demote Harden in order to elevate JLin. They are diff types of Alphas. And they will learn to work together.
DeleteThe humility @Kenoshi talks about:
I think JLin is far more artful than we want to believe he is. He takes a consistent stance of humility, TOO CONSISTENT to be natural. It's either from deliberate [spiritual] practice or play-acting. Of course, the first.
The ASG: There might be some hedging in there. He IS human.
Jeremy Lin AIN'T HUMBLE.
DeleteHe presents himself as humble to the media, but he's the cockiest pluckiest feistiest player I've ever seen in the NBA. This is a player who has NO FEAR.
I disagree that alpha males cannot be humble, that they don't care what people think of them, that he cannot feel undeserving at times. Indeed, it is the humility of REALISM that makes a true alpha male. Jeremy Lin is what he is, and he's not pretending to be something he's not. It's Jeremy Lin's self humility without being self flagellating that causes people to rally around him.
When I run into "thugs" (and I have run into MANY thugs in real life), the overriding emotion they project is FEAR. Usually I take gentle but firm measures to let those thugs know that there's nothing to be afraid of and I'm not out to get them or even judge them. That's what Jeremy Lin does, and he's survived all comers.
When Tyson Chandler bashed Lin and Lin smiled, I got the sense that Chandler was trying to inspire his teammates to not be taken in by Lin's "I Love NY" huggies. It was almost like Chandler was saying "C'mon you pansies, Lin's made you into a bunch of wimps! Now wake up and play the game". Lin's smile was like "Gotcha!"
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DeleteI meant THIS wasn't what I had in mind..
DeleteI don't know ... KH's definition of alpha is different than Kenoshi's etc. KH, I think you've change the classic definition as it reads like you define yourself as an alpha male and can identify with Lin, which is aok by me because we all do. But, since we don't know you fully, it's hard to understand what you mean by alpha male. To your definition as you wrote it, I see your point.
DeleteBut from a pop psychology view, I tend to agree with Kenoshi and say he's not alpha. He's a leader, but in the Asian Christian way ... by example, through service, the last shall be first, etc. It's not hard to understand him if you were raised in a west coast engineering family, going to church. The values are what Jeremy is. His good host routine at ASG and taking it easy in the competition is typical - you can't win the prize if you are the host. It's so obvious to me as a Chinese American that I could just program myself to lose if my guests and I had a competition. Etc.
So, I do see Lin as an extraordinary young man, with great leadership potential along with his sports skill. Call it alpha your way, but it's not a classic definition, respectfully.
I like all that you guys, via wrote, and thanks Via for providing so much material for us to enjoy, discuss, etc. Via, I also agree, this isn't a zero sum game as to leadership, winning, and championship play. It's actually 1+1 >>> 5, and this is what we've been seeing in spots. I sense the breakdowns in team consistency is from bad coaching, and I think most here would agree.
Bomani Jones just dissed JLin's game last night on ESPN's Around the Horn. He said something to the effect of "The Thunder's defense was so bad they made Jeremy Lin look like Walt Frazier." This isn't an exact quote but he said something like that. Watch the replay at 6 pm EST if you want to hear the exact quote.
ReplyDeleteYet another statement from this sports "journalist" that I vehemently disagree with.
DeleteI don't think that's a dis.
DeleteIt's actually TRUE.
Willis Reed, a Hall of Famer who absolutely loves Lin, compared Lin to Walt Frazier last year.
Walt Frazier is a class act and Hall of Fame point guard champion. He's also a Lin admirer.
LOL, @KHuang, you sometimes seem to take very friendly reading of comments which were not meant as compliments. As I know you know, Jones was insulting both OKC and Lin there.
DeleteMT You've entered the reality distortion zone!
Deletedamning praise is still praise, Michael Terry and Etane!
DeleteBomani Jones has ripped on Lin since he blew up in NY. He's always viewed Lin as a Fluke, bottom end role player.
DeleteWhy are you saying that I am delusional, Etane?
DeleteEverybody here knows that you have repeatedly called all the members of this board "delusional" in the past, but I'd like to know exactly what you mean so that I and everybody else here can understand what your agenda against me is.
Morey speaks to the Houston media about the Thomas Robinson-Patrick Patterson trade
ReplyDeleteWith Douglas gone, Beverley ready for bigger role
ReplyDelete@via
DeleteThanks as always for the links. You taught me to fish, but my lazy nature prefers having it all in one place :)
"On Wednesday night, Beverley said he already talked to Lin about what he can do better, the parts of the game he can add to his repertoire. He also said he plans on talking to Lin on the plane ride from Houston to New York on Thursday."
Even though he's 6 weeks younger, it sounds like Lin is 大哥 for now ;)
@Nom~ Haha "lazy nature"
Delete- Perhaps energy-efficient nature. :)
You more than make up for it with your insightful posts.
"...it sounds like Lin is 大哥 for now"
- He's that mature of a man who is beyond being threatened by "competition" [It's not even close, and he knows it -> secure in himself.] He really makes people around him better. [He can afford to nurture them, and he does, generously.] :)
TD seemed to play within his limits. Bev is still expanding. Will miss TD ... he and lin prob were the real batman and robin.
DeleteI would have loved to see JLin and TD play together more. TD seemed lost back in NY. He got much better in Houston. His shot came back and everything.
DeleteIts hard to find your place in a team after a trade - especially if the trade happens mid season but hey - Sacramento is a nice place. I wish him luck!
EXCLUSIVE ONE-ON-ONE WITH THOMAS ROBINSON
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the gems, via! :D
DeleteTRob sounds like a high-character, focused guy who will fit in perfectly with the young Rox team.
Morris is his adopted brother so I'm sure Morris will fill him in with a lot of details to help him adjust.
Also, I'm glad Morris joined his twin brother in Phoenix. They won't be winning but at least they'll be together.
Poor Morris and TD! Good thing they're millionaires...
DeleteMorris on trade: 'I shed a tear or two'
Douglas & Aldrich on trade: 'It's a business'
"I'm glad Morris joined his twin brother in Phoenix."
Delete- [Markieff.] Pablo Torre calls them the Morrii haha.
Now I have an additional reason NOT to be a Suns fan.
DeleteThe Suns now lead the NBA in acquiring 1st round BUSTS, even after getting rid of Sebastian Telfair who did NOTHING for the Suns.
*cue Via's super morris bros pics*
Delete[Last appearance on .net]
DeleteGoodluck, Super Morris Bros...
I'm really sad about TD.
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ReplyDeleteJonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
ReplyDeletePractice time decision: McHale said he expects Parsons to be able to play vs. Nets.
10:36 a.m. - Feb 21, 2013
Let's Make A Deal
ReplyDeleteBreaking down the Rockets' deadline deals and how they can help Houston win now and in the future
Tom Ziller breaks down Thomas Robinson trade from Sacramento perspective
Delete[Gothic Ginobili] MOREY'S MARGINS (Or, Sacramento Gives Up)
Delete[Hardwood Paroxysm] Thomas Robinson Rockets to Houston
DeleteHow the Kings lost yet another money-saving trade
DeleteTrueHoop TV: The Rockets' Moment
ReplyDeleteRockets have 97% chance of making playoffs, cap space, talent, many ways to add a star.
ClutchFans.net @clutchfans
ReplyDeleteI'm told the Rockets had discussed a trade with the Thunder for Eric Maynor before OKC sent the PG to Portland.
The $5M in cap room this yr could still be advantageous. Morey said team is looking at some European players, possibly frontload a contract.
via - there are too many articles to read. Can you provide a Cliff note version of all the articles by condensing everything in the links into a concise paragraph? Thanks. You're a peach.
Delete.... :)
Delete[Too many choices?]
Or you can write about feminism. I enjoy your POV.
DeleteOops, you've now outed yourself.
Delete[My POV is 'unacceptable', better not like it, for your own good haha.] :)
You are such a tease! Now I MUST KNOW! = P
Deletelol
Delete"Sixers acquire Charles Jenkins from Warriors"
ReplyDeleteWhat a bitter reminder for GSW fans that in less than 2 years after GSW gave up on Lin in order to keep Charles Jenkins as the backup PG, they also sent him packing.
Perhaps 76ers would have 'Jenkinsanity' next?
I'll bet that the majority of NBA front offices STILL think that Charles Jenkins has "more potential" than Jeremy Lin.
DeleteAnd it won't surprise me if there are still some GSW people still preferring Jenkins over Lin.
DeleteKevin McHale on the Thomas Robinson trade
ReplyDeleteMcHale following Thursday's workout
"I've never seen Cap Room score a basket yet though," McHale said recently. "I've seen old Cap, and his last name is Room, I've yet to see him put a hoop in, haven't seen him block a shot, haven't seen him get a rebound yet. But when Cap Room starts putting up numbers, we should be in great shape."
DeleteI hope Cap Room moves the ball.
DeleteI cannot imagine Alex Ferguson finding out that one quarter of his team has been "traded" 10 minutes before kickoff with Man City. NBA coaches are so impotent.
DeleteJoy Dunk Club EP 06: Skillz
ReplyDeleteGuest Panelists:
Steve Nguyen [Channel APA/Studio APA] Symbol Lai [The Diss]
Sacramento Kings fan on the Maloofs [craigslist]
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
DeleteHehe
Delete[Your laughs are great @Kenoshi, always makes me laugh, it's contagious!]
Just want to say something about the trade and all.
ReplyDeleteThis team is looking better by the minute. With the trade deadline out of the question, now is time to focus on summer. They just need to get a good PF and a good back-up PG and they are set! Sometime like.
PG- Jeremy Lin
SG- James Harden
SF- Chandler Parons
PF- Paul Millsap
C- Omer Asik
They will have perhaps the best back court of the NBA. And out of the bench they will have two sharp shooters like Carlos Delfino, and Francisco Garcia. Add to that the potential of Motijuntas (D-Mo), Greg Smith, and specially Thomas Robinson.
This will be an extremelly young, deep, great team that I think can be a title contender. And the best part? They will be title contenders for the years to come. It’s exciting to see such a young team with so much promise. I can’t wait.
Lin moving to Houston was painful at the time, but will probably be a blessing in disguise. Playing for a competent GM should pay dividends for his career.
DeleteYep, I have said it better. And I think Lin did too. Everything happens for good for those who love God. And even though it has been painful and slow, we will see the good coming out of this. I prefer Lin here in the Rockets than NY. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to have Lin in NY but in terms of what is best for him. Rockets might be the best thing that happened to Lin.
DeleteMore like having Lin will pay dividends to Morey's career.
DeleteTBJ discuss JLin and Harden catching fire in the Rox comeback win vs OKC
ReplyDelete06:03 - ON JLIN
Chris Paul said before the All-Star game that he was "on this website called Synergy" scouting the players. It's interesting to know that Synergy is more advanced than what at least some, and possibly all, teams have access to. Any fan can subscribe to Synergy and it's very reasonably priced.
ReplyDeleteChris Paul eats, sleeps, and breathes basketball, he says. Presumably that's why he seems to have such a high basketball IQ.
Breaking down the very dull moves from the 2013 NBA trade deadline
ReplyDeleteWinners and Losers from the Trade Deadline
Deletefeel positive about this game.if Westbrook + Ibaka cannot stop Jeremy, what can DWill do? lol. Jeremy shredded both Thunder. Brooks is scared Jeremy might explode... and he did.Brooks might have spent a lot of time watching videos of Roxs games and understood that Jeremy is the "lifeblood" of Roxs. yesterday Brooks didn't seem to put much defense on Harden. he wasn't double teamed much, as opposed to past games where he was double teamed by Sefolosha + Ibaka.the double team yesterday was mostly on Jeremy :)
ReplyDeleteI don't follow Nets much,so I'm not sure who PJ will put with DWill to double team Jeremy :)
DeleteKudos to you for pointing out how Jeremy Lin was the prime focus of the OKC defense, IsabeliJane.
DeleteOKC made the same decision that most NBA teams make: let Harden go and clamp down on Lin. And it failed spectacularly because the two powerless power forwards of the Rockets were off the team!
The court was more open last game. With Morris and Patterson gone, there was less defensive cheating onto Lin. So Lin greyhounded OKC, especially when the slow rotating Hasheem Thabeet was in the game.
The Nets have a physical space eating mobile shotblocker that theoretically could impede Lin. That is Kris Humphries, but he's benched (unfairly, I might add). Without Humphries to provide shotblocking down low, Lin should be able to penetrate with ease.
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Deletethanks @KHuang! I think if Perkins played yesterday, it will be a triple team against Jeremy. I find myself smiling on the Thunder man-to-man switch - Westbrook vs Jeremy, then Ibaka vs Jeremy, then Westbrook + Ibaka vs Jeremy.nothing worked. frustration is very visible on Brook's face lol.
Deletewill keep close watch on what the Nets will do tomorrow vs Jeremy.
As long as Lin keeps his shooting percentage, I do not think they can stop him.
DeleteWestbrook got a taste of the great wall of Lin last night...
DeletePnR -> runs into Lin as he slips under the screen
Tries to blow past -> Lin or someone guarding his weak side (NOT ASIK) pokes ball...
Passes off to the rollman -> rollman runs into Lin
@KHuang of course IsabeliJane noticed that, there isn't anything about Lin she doesn't notice :D
I agree but I saw them double team Harden too.
DeleteAfter the OKC game, Lin said that he got open looks because of Harden. HOU fans say that Lin is not the focus of the opposing team, Harden is. And if they do double team Lin (like Miami), it's because he's easy to shut him down (if he is, then why do they put multiple guys on him? Whatever).
So who's right?
k.smith, Jeremy Lin is still the guy that opponents really try to stop.
DeleteLin facilitates the entire team, including Harden. Lin creates shots for guys like Asik and Parsons that cannot score on their own, and he also makes Harden's life way easier.
Before the Morris/Patterson trades, Lin would draw a crowd of defenders to his side of the court whether he had the ball or not. Harden would get past his man and sail by several defenders who were zoning Lin.
The one game that really shook Harden up was Cleveland. Byron Scott reversed coverages by loading up on Harden and leaving Lin unguarded. The Cavs did shut down Harden, but Lin went wild scoring and feeding teammates for the Rockets win.
In the NBA, the creative players that set up other guys are the players that draw the heavy defenses. Lin is that guy, so opponents send their best defenders against him.
KHuang, i don't disagree with you but why do so many other fans see the complete opposite?
DeleteIn the Cavs game, I know Lin carried them for 3 qtrs but Harden pretty much took over the 4th qtr (from what I remember).
Most fans, including NBA scouts and front offices, see only two things
Delete1) the ball going into the basket
2) the one or two players they are told are "good".
With the media bashing of Lin, most fans cannot see Lin dominating because Lin is an Asian and Asians cannot be good at sports according to the media. Plus, Harden is seen as the only "good" player on the Rockets since he usually scores the most.
Fans usually don't see the nuances of who's good and who's not.
@k. smith - yeah they did double team Harden, but most of the time, it's Jeremy that Ibaka is trying to stop.past games vs Thunder Sefolosha + Ibaka did a good job of stopping Harden because he was playing the PG & main scorer roles and Jeremy's relegated as mere spot up shooter.
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ReplyDeleteCoach Nick breaks down the crucial 4th quarter and what led to a 12 point Thunder lead evaporating.
ReplyDeletewhat happen to coffeetime?
Deleteyoutube keeps shutting down coffeetime's channel probably because his highlights are too long and the NBA complained.
Deletedsfh#kj@sd! That sucks.
DeleteGerrald Lin highlights - http://youtu.be/wR7n8SdBYr4
DeleteHere are some of the highlights I posted previously
DeleteMrPennyccw
Blakelee Hall
Nicole Cook
footwearfoot
Stylish80 - on JH
FUll Game Download
Thanks Maknusia!
Deleteknicks nation on the verge of rioting. good stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe Power of Sina Weibo: Jeremy Lin’s Marketability
ReplyDelete