I'm a big jlin fan (you can look at my previous posts), but he really didn't play well at all today. he started the game with very low motor and seemed out of it. shots didn't fall and by the end of the game he was passing up big open looks and turning them into bad plays.
there were two really bad possessions late, one where jlin elevated for a contested jumper he should have just shot, instead he decides last minute to pass the ball and it got turned over.
another play james harden showed great confidence in lin with just 1 or 2 minutes left driving and kicking to an open jlin for the corner 3. jlin hesitated and then got covered when he should have just shot it.
I was wondering what the heck was wrong with him and now I understand why he was so out of it, having played with a cold. he didn't have any energy or focus tonight. it happens. next game!
So Lin was sick tonight. Wellmthatnis a double whammy because he usually plays subpar on the second night of b2b but having the illness doesn't help much either.
Like I said on the other thread, I honestly believe that bev came in for offense and not defense for wiz,s possession with the game tied. No more timeouts so McHale wanted an offense for Rox 's potential last possession.
No matter, head coach not having the confidence in you to play u for a crucial moment is a complete lack of respect, a recurring theme for the season this far.
@Solidz75, i feel you. I think also that Mchale brought Beverly back in for possible getting a chance to hit a 3. Parsons,Harden, Lin and Delfino had bricked shots in last minutes of the game. But the problem with Mchale is, he didn't know how to turn his plan into action. So complete fail in the end.
As a NBA new fan, I concur that planning and execution are equally important. McHale probably has a plan to get Beverly hit a three but he failed in knowing how to deploy his players to execute the plan and win.
Yup, it's a utter fail move on Mchale's end. One thing Lin did well despite his horrid performance was his defense. I mean this is a guy who actually made nba.com's short list for defense player of the year. If u stuck to your guts and decided to bring him back in, let him finish the game. As a coach, I'd much rather lose with my player on the player then a bench player.
And yes, Lin was sick, and did not have a good night but you are foolish to pin this loss on Lin. The rockets had a good lead... Keep chucking up threes when they are not falling and then having no sound back up offensive plan will o that to you. This happened before and will continue to happen until we get an actual proven coach who knows what he is doing.
@Soidz75, amen to this post.I also think Lin has more than a cold, i think he probably has the flu and probably playing with a fever, that is why he was dragging.How do you loose a 17 pt lead to a scrub team? Poor coaching.
@alcsd morey also said that there would be no trade. Guess what happened. So Morey said that because Mchale was getting roasted on twitter about his treatment of Lin. I bet Morey/Les are already looking into available coaches that can lead Rockets to a championship. Remember this is a business with $$$ signs attached. If you start messing with Les's investment, guess what you are gone.just sayin
If I were in his shoes, I would have said the exact same thing because it will hurt the moral of the team. He didn't want the players to be on their toes for fearing that they will get traded.
Morey doesn't have to twit that. Can you imagine twitting that and the Rockets make the playoffs and cutting McHale at the end of the season, the scrutiny he will face?
McHale benched Douglas for no reason after Beverley was first signed, do you think it was Morey or McHale? Morey wanted to test Beverley out before sending Douglas off to another team.
@alcsd, i see your point,but Morey didn't care about how it looks, because he went on several radio broadcasts and said that he as keeping the team that he has, and 48 hours later TD, Alrich, Patterson and Morris was gone. I think Morey is playing both sides, but he will ultimately do what Les wants, so him saying Mchale for coach of the year, I am still not buying it. They won't fire Mchale, but just offer him a job at the front office. The problem with Mchale, he is very stubborn and he wants to do things his way and he will dig his own whole to be buried in.
Les is one of the top 400 richest people in the US. He has other businesses beside this one. If he were Cuban, then I can see it, but I don't think he is as involved as some member here make it sounds to be. Morey runs the operation.
Do you know why Martin was traded? It was because he didn't get along with McHale. Martin had a shoulder injury and was having trouble hitting his shots so McHale benched him. In fact, he benched him during crucial moments where fans questioned McHale's mind. Ironically Martin was one of the players that campaigned for Mchale to get the coaching job (because he idolizes him as a player). It was well documented that they didn't get along and Martin kind of knew that he was getting traded sometime in the season, but didn't expected the way it went down.
It’s not really a secret that Kevin Martin is unhappy in Houston. His minutes have been inconsistent, and he’s heard his name come up multiple times in trade rumors after GM Daryl Morey told him he was untouchable. He also doesn’t appreciate that the Rockets are doing to him what they do to everyone come contract time. http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba2-kevin-martin-and-the-timberwolves/ written 2/22/12
Les has nothing to do with Martin getting traded.
But late in the year, there started to be indications. Kevin Martin's diminished role. Some grousing from veterans. Then, what seemed out of the blue, star point guard Kyle Lowry unloaded in the press about how he didn't see things being repaired between coach Kevin McHale and him. http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/20212303/kevin-mchale-says-the-lockout-was-why-he-didnt-get-along-with-his-rockets-players-last-season
Leaving Houston would have been good for Martin no matter where he went. It was clear that the franchise’s plans did not include him and that he and the head coach did not get along. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1390527-chance-to-contend-with-okc-thunder-will-rejuvenate-kevin-martins-career I know it's BB, but still it also mentions their toxic relationship.
The pattern here:
Lowry didn't get along with McHale-got traded Martin didn't get along with McHale-got traded McHale doesn't respect and like Lin--lets wait and see who Morey will side with
Neither Lowry nor Martin can DEFEND like Lin. In today's NBA, Lin is the greatest defensive guard in the game.
McHale's weakness, from what I see, is understanding and coaching defense. Yet he has been inadvertently gifted with the greatest defensive guard in the game, and that guard covers up a lot of McHale's defensive liabilities!
McHale has learned to play Lin for defensive reasons. McHale NEEDS Lin, much more than he needed Lowry or Martin or Dragic.
So in the end, I do agree with your assessment that "let's wait and see who Morey will side with". For me I'm hoping that it'll be Lin and a defense understanding McHale who recognizes that Lin is the perfect point guard for his system.
KHuang, yes, you're right Lin can defend. However, what's important was that McHale didn't think Lin is capable of defending during the critical point of the game and subbed him out for a new PG that just joined the team a couple of weeks ago. Now that's confidence in your starting PG.
Neither KMart or Lowry or Dragic are as famous as Lin. JLin is a golden goose. McHale is just a guy who walks funny. He cant treat JLin the same and think he can get away with it.
Yes - JLin has been somewhat inconsistent but - if his coach had been more consistent and supportive JLin would have done much better.
Whats all that talk about HR? Why would a coach ruin his players confidence ON THE COURT - DURING THE GAME? Why would he bench his star player all the time and make him look bad in front of the crowd? Why wouldnt he treat other players that bad? Why would he arrange substitutions to make backups look better than his star player? Why would he not make use of his PGs true abilities?
I cant prove it but I but I have the gut feeling that McHale is mistreating Lin on purpose. Yes - some of you have stated that you think hes simply dumb. I feel like McHale is messing with Lin to make Lin lose his game and confidence - ultimately to get rid of him.
redbool, Lin WAS in to defend at a critical point this game.
Defend he did. Lin stopped John Wall, but Lin didn't have his health today to win this game.
McHale wants Jeremy Lin to play a simpler easier game, but that's not possible because opponents are loading up on Lin. It's McHale's fault for not recognizing this, but it's also McHale's credit for having enough faith in Lin to play him on a sick day like this.
10:30 UTA v.s LAC Since Lakers is looking like improved to get into the payoff(D-12 has his GM's back that he will be Lakers' future, now he can just play his basketball), I am assuming Houston,Lakers,UTA and GWS (Boget is reported with back issue, not good though!)will battling for the final three seats!
@geronimo, why are you here? People can post their opinion about the game without you trying to create drama with your posts. Now you are just being messy.
Lin was sick and played sucked today! Can't blame him too much. It supposed to be a win. But Rocket was short-handed and Delfino could not guard their big men. When are we getting those guys? Coach seems have no game plan especially when it's a close game. 3 pointers shootings is good but get in the paint is even better. Rockets always play badly with B2B. Wizard had B2B too. They won both games. There's no excuse. I'm sure they will play well next game against Buckets @ home court.
You got it jenny drew. You and KHuang understand exactly what the problems are. The last possession with Delfino on Nene was BAD, VERY BAD. No other choice right now but to play a small lineup. Montejunas is not experienced enough.
Don't do well = sucks. I've never heard of don't do well = good or greatt. So if I don't do well, I will say I suck too. What's the big deal. Just calm your horses.
better never than "take back". when you post it in the first place, you must be very proud of yourself and you did that on purpose. don't see how funny it is when people think Lin has good game, it is different from what you think and you can't stand it.
Just want to know of we don't make playoff, what's the chance Mcgail get fired? Sick or now, if u let Lin play, then trust him. Even bleacher, usually very critical of Lin, said trading TD will help Lin to secure more playing 4th quarter and crunch minute. Lol apparently they don't know Mcfail well enough as shown tnite.
At this point in time, the only way for McHale to get fired is Herculean collapse in the second half to miss the playoffs. Otherwise, next year will be his actual test.
Mchale's not going anywhere. I think he's got next year left on his contract?! They'll either renew it or just let him walk.
You don't fire a coach that is going to make the playoffs with the youngest team in the NBA. Even if they don't make the play offs, he's not going anywhere. He was chosen bc he wasn't like Adelman. Adelman wanted more power in choosing personnel.
Ok, took a breather. Lin was sick as we expected, so that explains things a little bit. However, Rockets can't keep losing these dumb games. I'm sorry but that last Rocket's posession was completely mind boggling. Either way. Now we have time to practice and we can add Robinson and Garcia to the lineup. Call me crazy, but this is just won't to boost the Rockets. Hoping for a 5 game winning streak.
Still frustrated, especially because even posters here have been suckered into the notion that Lin played poorly because he didn't shoot the ball well.
He didn't have a great game, obviously, but, he was doing a good job of running the offense, a skill that is overlooked because it's intangible and there are no "stats" for running an offense.
When Steve Nash won his two MVP awards, in both seasons, I believe he averaged around 17 points per game. He won the award because he ran that Phoenix Dantoni offense so effectively - the team scored mega points because his primary role was to promote team offensive efficiency, not put up big individual numbers.
It should be clear by now that Lin has that offense running skill that Nash, Rondo, Chris Paul have, and that most other point guards in the league, including the so called elite point guards (Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, Deron Williams). Harden, for all his playmaking abilities, can't really run an offense, because he's got too much of a scorer's mentality to do so.
Nobody got suckered into anything. You're over your head. He sucked today cause he didn't have his legs under him. He couldn't attack like he normally does so he stayed back and shot the ball and his shots weren't falling. He lacked energy on both offense and defense. He had one good defensive stop against Wall at the end and that's it. Peace out!!!
In last paragraph, my post should read that so called elite point guards like Westbrook and Irving are terrible at running an offense. They are great scorers, no doubt. And get distribute when in the mood. But, they lack that intangible court-vision skill to run an offense and maximize the team's offensive efficiency.
geronimo, how about actually reading my posts with an open mind, instead of assuming I'm "rationalizing" Lin's crappy play. i actually agree with you with your assessment of some aspects of Lin's game tonight. He did look tired. But, you're totally ignoring what I consider the most important skill he has as a point guard, and he was doing that much more effectively than Beverly. Go read my post above again.
jeremy can only do so much tonight. i was there in the verizon center and i did not know he is sick. so he ends up had 6 asts and 5pt in 26 min, not a good game for him, so be it, but there is nothing to laugh at.
Geronimo I feel you. People here can't handle the word sucks. Too emotional. Look 2 things are true tnght: lin didn't play well and McHale didn't handle his minutes well. It's hilarious how everyone's dissecting the hell out of it. He was sick so that should calm everyone down a bit.
Before you go around antagonizing people again here, let's not forget the TROLLING you've done hating on people here.
Don't be trying to turn this place into a flame war again. I've fought you several times and I'll fight you again if that's what you're looking for here.
I'm sure those of you all certain that Lin's game "sucked" today also think Beverly outplayed Lin. The numbers clearly suggest so.
So, here's my question - let's say Lin didn't play at all, DNP (cold), and Beverly played point guard most of the game. Are you all suggesting that they would have beaten the Wizards if Beverly started and played 35-40 minutes?
geronimo is NOT a troll. He may have a "different" way of expressing things, but he does want Lin to do well and thinks highly enough of him to post here.
You, Kenoshi, know as much about Lin as anybody. Plus you're one of our staunchest anti troll guardians. I enjoy everything you post.
Help me out here, Kenoshi. Even if geronimo really was a troll (which I really don't think he is), I think we can welcome him as part of our community here. I'd like to give him a chance to join in with us, not against us.
Wow easy there tough guy kwang. I would never dare to fight you. You're the bestest greatest fighter of all. Lol. Oh and typing in caps does NOT make you cool. Lol
sterling pound minus euro multiply japanese yen, oh well, three things we know: £, € and ¥ are all very weak but their people are putting up very brave fight to battle the situation. hope you can focus on better things than fighting KHuang cuz you're not gonna win, huh!
We are regularly antagonized by trolls like this Ley guy who HATES EVERYONE HERE.
Consequently, people here can be antagonistic toward you - and guys like me will step in to defend you. I know you are no troll.
But this ley guy? He's been flaming this board and hates people here. So geronimo, watch me PUNK this ley troll and shoot all of his hatred back at him. And if you want to help me hate this hater, JUMP IN!
@Roberlin - I did not miss your message. The control of ball flow is key to getting an offense going, and I only saw some key play-by-play text, some final minutes, and listened to LP as I was driving around. I'll watch the game later if I can - generally, I'd say your point isn't going to be heard too much tonight because Lin was sick, we lost, and people are upset and fighting each other.
Overall, I think change is gonna come with the new guys, so next week will be some good watching. I hope JLin gets well quickly, so he can play a key role in practice to get these new guys going into the teamwork.
This week has been quite a schock for them (4 of 12, and McHale tends to only use what? 8 or 9?) And we won 2 games with that, plus flu.
So as of this moment, I still dislike McHale. As a result, I am coming up with irrational rationalizations, and am probably reading too much into things. My irrational rationalization is this: I don't know if McHale is protecting JLin or himself. As in, I believe that McHale realizes he messed up, in retrospect, and saying that JLin is sick with a cold gives McHale an excuse for his poor coaching or how he played JLin in this particular game and maybe that last play?
Regardless, they should not be losing to the Wizards. It sounds like ultimately, coaching lost this game. No surprise there.
Depends on what the question was, i guess. Did the reporter ask, did you bench lin because he was sucking? Or, was he asked, why did you wait so long to put back in your starting point guard in the fourth?
McHale may not HATE Lin but clearly doesn't have nearly as much respect for his game than we do.
I hate all these rationalization s that McHale is giving Lin tough love, or somehow protecting him. All I see is him trying to make Lin into something he is not- just a serviceable role player far away from reaching his Linsanity potential. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Lin doesn't mean much to McHale and there are more than just handful of evidences that support this fact. To not see this is deceiving your eyes.
Solidz, I think McHale doesn't have high basketball IQ and fails to see all the intangible skills Lin brings to the table. Hence, he thinks Beverly is doing a fine job cuz he's shooting threes, hustling, etc. McHale either ignores or fails to see that when Bev is in there, the offense degenerates, as players stop playing their assigned roles, get lazy and start freelancing.
Yup, McHale has the blinders on when it comes to Kim. He really act like those typical loh who fail to see what Lin brings to his team.
This is the only way to rationalize his irrational moves with Lin this year.
I honsetly think that he is being forced by upper management to play Lin more minutes. If he had his way, he would have Beverley starting with Lin, the rookie, backing him up.
I mean the way he showed Beverley love after last game - it was really pathetic.
Solidz, if McHale is that incompetent he would start Beverly over Lin, then, McHale is a really, really bad coach.
Beverly is NOT a starting point guard in the NBA. He has the potential to be a servicable back-up, but that's the ceiling for him. No team in the NBA needing a starting point guard is looking at Beverly as a possibility for next season. And I'm certain Morey isn't ready to sign Bev to a 3 year, guaranteed contract. He'll be fighting for a roster spot next year with other journeymen point guards.
Does anyone think Sacramento actually wanted Beverly over Tony Douglas?
I do hope Beverly makes the team next year, as the team's 3rd point guard. But, they need a back-up point guard who is more polished and better at distributing the ball.
cali, i'm the one who thinks McHale is inarticulate. I've given up trying to interpret his cryptic statements. I think when he tries to give nuanced compliments about Lin or anyone else, he ends up making no sense whatsoever. I.e., the whole homerun hitter versus single hitter metaphor. HUH???
I thought it was you Roberlin but wasn't sure. Exactly! HUH? McHale's comments are simply gibberish to me so I actually stopped watching his interviews. He also repeats himself. I don't think I need to hear that the ball got sticky as the reason they lost every single time. How about defense?
I find McHale not only understandable, but predictable.
He has not figured out yet WHY Lin is the team's catalyst, though on a subconscious level McHale indeed recognizes that by playing Lin during critical junctures when the game is undecided.
I have no doubt that the Rockets assistants are recognizing that Lin is being trapped left and right and up and down. I'll bet they even talk to McHale about helping Lin beat those traps. And I'll bet McHale BLOWS THEM OFF and says "Don't worry, the system will create opportunities for Lin, he just has to make the simple decisions and he'll be just fine". Meanwhile the assistants are scrambling to move guys strategically so that Lin can operate.
Every motion offense coach in the NBA: Phil Jackson, Rick Adelman, Eddie Jordan, Kevin McHale, Mike Woodson, Keith Smart, Gregg Popovich - every one of those coaches has publicly battled their perimeter players because they think that the perimeter stars are playing selfish by hurling themselves against traps. But the championship coaches like Jackson and Popovich did eventually figure out that a superstar going 1 on 2 or 1 on 3 is often trying to suck defenses toward him and this be a TEAM PLAYER!
This is the NBA where anybody can lose to anybody, even when people are in perfect health. NOBODY wins every game.
The Rockets have just executed a blockbuster trade that depleted them of their two power forwards. Their backup swingman is manning a forward position, plus Lin is ill. Sometimes stuff catches up to people.
This season, the Rockets have not lost many games that they should've won. Given that they are the youngest and cheapest team in the NBA, the Rockets are doing just fine.
Lin will obviously bounce back from this game. A healthy Lin would've likely eaten the Wizards alive. It also goes to show how important Lin is, because as he goes so does the team.
Am I the only here who thought he played well enough to help the team win the game, IF fucking McHale put him back in the fourth quarter at the 10 minute mark?
In others, sick as he was, shooting poorly as he was, he was still able to run the offense well and bring stability to the team and have the team play cohesively, both on offense and defense. Until he got benched for an entire quarter.
And there are also people here who would be like "Lin's sick? Protect him by playing him less minutes". I myself fall into that category.
In the NBA, coaches often make wrong decisions. As long as they don't consistently make wrong decisions that lead to repeated errors, that can be lived with. For me, McHale is still a net positive coach despite what I perceive as shortcomings.
@Roberlin I said twice already, I do not think Lin played bad (not excellent tho). You are right about the cohesive plays. We all know the game was lost by that long rebound. Even if you put MJ in there, we would still lose.
KHuang we all know any team can beat any team if the situation was right, we are just pointing out the blatant mistakes today.
JLin was sick and didn't play well, whatever. He gets a pass from me, Harden was horrible when he had the flu as well. Bev picked up his slack but was short on defense.
Problem is even with a sick Lin he is a better playmaker. Putting Bev in too long risks too much freelancing which was already pointed out Rockets descended into chaos in 4Q, because like TD he isn't a very good playmaker. Most importantly Bev let Wall get hot.
Even against a sick Lin, John Wall was hesitant to attack and quickly passed off the ball all game, I don't know why people insist that John Wall was going to do this and that to Lin, he couldn't beat Lin before, he didn't today, Lin did a good job keeping Wall in front of him. When he tried to attack like 4Q he was shut down, PANTSED like z would say, in front of everyone to see.
McHale doesn't realize this and instead valued Beverley's "energy" too much, and again, made the costly mistake of leaving the backup in way too long.
When we needed defense, McHale opted for offense. We were trading shots for an entire quarter and wizards clawed back up, but still McHale didn't get it into his thick head that we needed stops.
Team cohesion fell apart in 4Q, plain and simple, and resulted in very costly TOs that Rockets can ill afford with a short roster.
KHuang, I disagree with your point. The Rockets had this game in hand, until McHale screwed it up by not bringing in Lin earlier in the fourth. Even with his shitty box score numbers, with Lin in the game, the rockets seemed to be in command of the game for most of the game and early in the fourth.
It started to get away under Beverly's play, not under Lin's play. And by "it," I mean the team's command of the game started to get away, because they started to lose team cohesion under Beverly, the same way the team had no cohesion against Sacramento when Lin fouled out of the game with three minutes left.
Brent, to clarify, I think the game never should have come down to the last play. THe mistake that cost the Rockets the game occurred between the middle of the third quarter and through half the fourth quarter, when McFool left in Beverly to "run" the point while keeping Lin on the bench to get all cold and tight.
This is the third time this season McHale overextended Beverly, resulting in a loss each time in games that could have been won by the Rockets. This game, the game against Denver, and one other game I'm forgetting the team the Rockets played.
I keep telling you guys that you'd HATE ME if I was the coach and not McHale.
I'd have gone "Poor Lin. Since Coach Khuang is trying to protect your health, I'll feed you chicken soup and tuck you in tonight. Meanwhile, take this game off and SIT YOUR BUTT BY ME and help me coach the team!!!"
And then the Rockets would lose and the "Fire Coach Khuang" chants would start!
Trust me, McHale is a very imperfect coach who's doing a passable job. Because if I'd benched Lin today like I wanted to, the Rockets wouldn't even have been in the game to win it at the end!
@Robertlin, I know what you are saying, I agree with u except I have doubt that more minutes for Lin will bring a big change. I mean I am 100% sure if he is healthy. I don even know hoe sick he is, so I guess I just do not know if more minutes will do more good or more bad.
Kenoshi, I also felt the game was winnable but some nights Lin or McHale won't make the best decision-making process. It's a hard call on the last play to sub Bev in for Lin. But that's not why the game is lost.
The Rockets are shorthanded in PGs. Beverley was great with 6-7 shooting but he was not making plays for others like Lin can. Lin was clearly sick so I wish Eric Maynor was traded to Houston.
Gotta let this game go. Just a bad loss, that's all.
Brent, I know it may not seem like much, but, if McHale played Lin just 4 more minutes by bringing him in at the 10 minute mark instead of at the 6 minute mark, that would have been enough for the Rockets to win. No way they would have suddenly imploded like they did in this game, and in another game where a similar thing occurred (Lin sat out too long, team started losing lead under Beverly, team ultimately lost).
KHUang, I don't mind limiting Lin's minutes because of sickness, but, if you play him, then you play him to win. At the six minute mark, I think he should've just let Beverly finish the game. But, this pattern of keeping Beverly in too long is in fact a pattern, he keeps doing it, to bad results. And burning a time out so he could take out Lin for Beverly on the last play - ultimate stupidity.
Khuang, read Edward Mermelstein's post below. If McHale was really concerned about Lin's health, the worst thing he could have done was sit Lin for a long time and let him get chilled, tight, and start feeling the fatigue, and then bring him back in with six minutes left. That's cruel.
Roberlin, it's hard to second-guess what could have happened if Lin was back in with 10 min left rather than 6 min left.
Perhaps the Rockets would have more offensive rhythm but McHale clearly tried to gave Lin as much rest as possible to make the last push.
Lin clearly was not himself because of his cold. Just look at the bad TO when he should have shot but instead passed to be stolen. If healthy, he won't make that bad pass.
Let's give them all the benefit of the doubt.
At least now everyone knows without a healthy Lin, the Rockets offense is only potent when 3PT shooting is falling. No offensive rhythm out there
Even worse for them is how much a sick Lin actually helped on defense. Holding off John Wall for 24 seconds resulting in bad shot, harassing Trevor Ariza into a bad 3PT shot. So yes, I think McHale should have let Lin in the last play but hopefully McHale won't repeat this mistake ever.
A sick Lin still wrecked havoc in defense. Just ask John Wall.
It can also be seen that McHale had souch faith in Lin's ability to win games that he HAD to out Lin back in. Because that's what I would've done with Lin if I were the coach - chicken soup and all!
Psalm, I think you misunderstand my points. Unlike 99% of people here, I actually think Lin played a GOOD game, given the circumstances.
And, I think he played a better game than Beverly, as point guard/offense-runner. The one stat that supports my point is the assist total - Lin tied Harden for team leader with six assists, even in Lin's limited minutes. Beverly, I think, had 3 assists.
It's clear to me that Lin's real talent as a player is as a team floor leader, ala Steve Nash. Beverly brings energy, can hit those threes, but is definitely NOT a floor general, and will never be compared to Nash.
When sick Lin subbed out in the third, he did so with the team leading and in command of the game. When he came back in, the lead was still there, but, command of the game had slipped big time without Lin, and six minutes wasn't enough to right the ship.
McHale's big flaw as coach, up to this point, is his seeming inability to recognize or understand or value the skill of running an offense that Lin possesses and that Beverly does not.
I only saw the last 7-8 minutes of the game so I can't comment on lin's performance outside of shooting but what was up with ASik tonight? How did he get destroyed by okafor?
@Khuang and Robertlin, I feel you two are saying the same thing about Lin.
But anyway, I doubt Lin can physically stay on the court and still kept up his D. Robertlin, you are right about PB, but IDK, who knows what 10 more minutes might do to Lin's energy on his D?.
Well, Brent Yen, RoberLin and I don't agree on McHale.
I have said all season that McHale is the RIGHT coach for Lin. I didn't mean that McHale would be a "perfect" coach either.
There have been plenty of times that I've disagreed vehemently with McHale's coaching. I still think that McHale is a net positive GOOD coach for Lin.
My hope is that McHale starts to understand how important Lin is defensively. That would be a good stepping stone toward McHale understanding how valiantly Lin is battling the overwhelming traps that McHale has yet to understand.
McHale needs to realize that Lin is actually the greatest point guard one could theoretically fashion for his offense. But it'll take some maturation of McHale's defensive misunderstandings before that happens.
KHuang, I disagree that you and I don't agree on McHale. lol.
Brent is right. We more or less say similar things about Lin. I think we say it differently so that it seems like we're actually disagreeing.
We also need to understand that McHale is a newbie coach as well, only in his second year. And he's a rarity; most coaches sucked as players, while we all know that he was a very good player with the Celtics. Perhaps that may explain some of the inexplicable moves he makes, since most good players don't have the highest basketball IQs. Except for point guards.
You make an interesting point that bears elaboration. How would McHale learning how good Lin is defensively help him to learn how good he is offensively as a point guard for his offense?
Mchale correctly sense Lin as being the guy that singlehandedly stops the defensive bleeding.
If McHale looked closer, he'd see that Lin is trapping opponents all over the court while reading the passing and driving lanes.
Now if McHale could see how Lin is a true one-man defensive trap, he might also see how opponents trap the Rockets much the same way Lin traps them. Then McHale would have a much clearly view of how Lin fights to beat those doubleteams and this have more appreciation for Lin.
I had a bad luck, my family went to watch our first NBA game because of JLin, and had to witness a loss with JLin played poorly maybe due to his sickness.
My little girl was disappointed, she "is mad at JLin"
I hope JLin recovers soon from cold or flu, hopefully next game when we go to watch will be a great one!
i went to four rockets games this season so far, and they lost them all. i enjoy the time with friends/families and the live game atmosphere. too bad jeremy is sick, i get to cheer for his teammates and they almost win the game, it is just a game. no big deal.
Indeed you were so lucky! Today JLin didn't have energy, that was very clear. And he didn't shoot well, even in warm up, he didn't shoot well. I worried about him a couple a days ago when I heard he was sick, I was afraid he may not play at all, at least we got to see him play.
I missed the game myself, so I'm checking here for actual updates... HOWEVER, why is there a troll in here? I rather have the war of words between KHuang and Etane because they're actual Lin fans than a troll who pretends to be a Lin fan just to antagonize the posters in this site.
The "troll", IsabeliJane, is a GENIUNE LIN FAN who's legitimately trying to become a respected member here.
He appreciates Lin, and he even appreciates Lin fans. That's no troll.
Clutchfans is not this forum. This place is completely different. If anybody comes in here and shows respect to Lin and Lin's fans, he SHOULD be accepted by us.
Perhaps you can find a gif of sick Lin with sweaty mess, shivering so your little girl can draw a chicken soup for him. Kids have great compassion if they know others are suffering.
That guy, k.smith, showed ME respect. And others here, too.
I'm definitely a JLin nuthugger. I'm overtly proud of it. I adore Lin's team first approach to the game and consider him one of the best NBA guards I've seen in my decades of watching the sport.
Geronimo did not laugh at my reaction to the game. He agreed with me, and he's learning how to be a fan here.
I've seen his comments on another forum and some of the things he said on here. So, I stand corrected on my view. Good for you, that he respects/agrees with you.
psalm234, thank you for the suggestion! I saw Lin's picture showing he was clearing suffering, I will show it to my little girl. We planned this for a long time, it was a big event for us. Just bad luck that cold/flu hit everyone so hard.
LAL not in the playoff? I don't think NBA will let that happen. Any way just stay hope. Although reality tells it's hard to believe there's a hope seeing how things are right now. :)
I don't know, watching last night's game vs Blazers...Yeah they got all the calls and I do agree Blazers should have won, but I'm starting to see trust between Howard/Kobe/Nash...Buss's death might just be the catalyst.
And how about Nash continue to shoot even though he was shooting 1/9 and made that big 2 to put Lakers up?
And wow Howard was just abusing Blazer big men at will. If they find that synergy, they could be dangerous.
Kenoshi, the Lakers are in MORTAL DANGER of missing the playoffs entirely.
Before the season started, I wrote on this forum that the Lakers backcourt would be greyhounded by fast guards like Lin, Parker, and Westbrook. And that's exactly what happened.
The Blazers do not have penetrating guards. They have spot up perimeter shooting guards, but they don't have guards that attack the rim. Thus the slowfooted Lakers can match up with the Blazers.
Most NBA teams, especially Western Conference teams, have quick guards that shred the Lakers plodding defense. That is a significant problem that would have been solved had the Lakers signed Lin to defend opposing backcourts.
Listen to what actually happened based on first-hand observation from someone in the game (from novaman in CF):
Just got back from the game. Sat 7 rows back from the Rockets bench.
Yeah Lin was definitely sick. In fact, shortly before tipoff McHale went and put his hand on Lin's shoulder and asked him how he was feeling/if he was good to go and Jeremy nodded in the affirmative. At the half it looked like Jeremy was going to puke. He had his head covered up in a towel. He probably took some meds at halftime. I guess they needed him to give them at least some minutes tonight because besides Lin and Beverly, who else do they have right now to play PG?
As KHuang said, it's a bad loss but it happens to all good and great teams in the NBA. McHale clearly was concerned about Lin. So let's hope Lin gets healthy, forgive McHale and Lin for not having perfect decision-making tonight. They're human after all. They're allowed to make mistakes.
Also let's hope Greg Smith is not having major knee injury.
yeah, looks like Smith will be fine .*phew*.. dodged a bullet there
Jason Friedman @JasonCFriedman Greg Smith suffered a right knee contusion and is not expected back tonight.
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen X-rays on Greg Smith's bruised right knee were negative. Already feeling much better, he said he'll be good to go Wednesday.
Wow, ok, I'll lay off the McHale bashing then...Guess he really had no choice today, he's just out of PGs. Lin being in that bad of a shape its no wonder he didn't shoot well.
Now that I know this I don't fault McHale for his rotations today, he just didn't have anyone else who could put stops on wiz in 3rd/4th, he did what he could, with Lin in that bad of a shape (shivering mess) I would think twice about putting him in as well.
I hate to say this but this probably is why McHale has Lin playing with Harden so much...Harden plays best when Lin is hot and drawing defenders AGAINST starters, and Harden has no problem vs any 2nd team with maybe exception of Clippers...
Blake: Don't u dare 2 come near the rim! Lin: Wazzzzzahhhhhh, braahh....zzfbruahhchooohhzzzz!!! Blake: Arggggghh.. blah...come on, man! What's all this wetness!!! I'm no Parsons!!
I was right behind the Rocket bench and JLin was a shivering sweaty mess. I don't know why he played at all. It was a painful game to watch. I hope Lin bounces back soon because the team needs him confident, aggressive and determined in order to win. Also, McHale's long benching minutes of Lin undermine his flow and heat. When will McHAle learn that you can't sit a player for those kind of stretches and expect him to come back hot?!! Sad and disappointing night, but tomorrow is a new day.
wow from me Edward. i'm green with envy. so i guess mchale knew the team needs lin to win but lin being so ill just couldn't play long mins. but then again, it isn't the time lin is subbed in and out and sit for long stretches before the rox lost to scrub team. it's a F for mchale again!
Yes, exactly! If someone is sick, the worst thing to do is sit him out for a long time and let him get chilled and tight. After sitting Lin out for basically a whole quarter, he should just sat him out for the rest of the game. Totally unfair to Lin to bring him in "cold" with a cold.
Lin should've rested the last two games instead of playing B2B with the flu. There's no games for the next 4-5 days? Perfect chance for him to kick his bug. Playing while sick will make it slower to heal.
That imbecile likes to sit him on the bench yet afraid to play without him.
Before the season started, I was hoping that Lin could play all 82 games.
So far, Lin hasn't missed a game.
The thing is that I agree with Etane that making Lin sit this one out would probably have been the right thing to do for Lin's health. But I'm actually relieved that Lin's streak is still going.
If Lin plays all 82 regular season games, I will consider that his hugest achievement while also giving the Rockets coaching staff full credit for keeping Lin healthy amidst the streak!
I'm happy that Jeremy played and had 3 steals...otherwise, he'd have slipped out of the top 5 STEAL leader rankings after skipping this game. Most importantly, I think, Jeremy wanted to help his team win...too bad, the team just couldn't do it without him...
McHale thinks he has a SELFISH BALLHOG in Jeremy Lin, yet the "selfish ballhog" wins games.
McHale just hates seeing Lin running like a trapped rat to create opportunities when passing lanes are closed off and opposing big men are laying in wait for Lin in the midrange. Yet McHale knows that if Lin plows through the double and triple teams while doing his free safety thing on defense, the Rockets win more.
@psalm234 - please stop getting inside my thoughts... :D don't be surprised if sooner or later Jeremy is already trolling this site, his own fan website lol
whoa.. didn't know u already launched Operation BFLin :D
3 months from now: @therealJlin7: I want to thank my GF @IsabeliJane for the Linspiring chicken soup that was made with love ... That's why I can score 39 points the next game.
@IsabeliJane: y'all received my red invitations, right?
Here's a speedy recovery to Jeremy. Other than Beverly, there isn't any backup PG on the Rox team to do a good PG job when Jeremy is under the weather? If this's the case, let's pray hard that Jeremy won't fall sick again and be healthy and injury free throughout the next 4 months if the Rox wants to go deep into the playoffs.
Yeah, the immediate need for the team is to have another good back PG. Beverly is good by normal standard, Delfino is a more of a lethal long range shooter(wow, can't imagine i'm using bball jargon already) but I think with his veteran experience, he can do a better PG job than Parsons imho. So with the trade deadline is over now, we can only hope that the Rox(Morey or Les?) will pull off a stunning trade for a very solid backup PG.
It was a really bad night for JLin. LOH's on clutchfans are drooling at the chance to bash him and are in scalp hunter mode, trying to identify every Jeremy Lin fan. I wouldn't go on that site for the next 3 days, unless you are asking for a Flame War.
Get better soon Jeremy. I know that a cold can turn into a flu, and turn into a fever. Get some rest and relax ... you don't want it turning into a chronic lung infection like I had.
***** For anyone who is blaming Lin, you're late on the bandwagon.
Lin was terrible earlier this season...
But he's just fine now. He has been playing exceptionally well for the last two months or so. He has really come around and is doing his job just fine. He's actually been more aggressive as well. He's still young so there's going to be some inconsistency, but overall Lin is headed in the right path.
I don't see the need to criticize him at this point.
Our pg situation is actually pretty decent right now. Surprisingly Beverley has been doing a decent job backing up Lin. Aside from the points where he loses his mind of course.. *****
This was DudeWah, who used to be one of the biggest Lin bashers, he's defending Lin now.
Lin will win them all over, other than those that hate him just because its fun.
Besides the sickness and the loss. For recent games, seem like Lin got green light on making those long range 2pts jumpers. I thought, Coaches told their ballers not to shoot those.
yes, Brent. For the past 2 games, I also noticed Lin got the green light to shoot long 2PT to start the games. Hopefully the coaches realize Lin needs to set the rhythm of the offense, not just because they're shorthanded.
The Heart Of The Matter Examining some of the real reasons behind the Rockets' 105-103 loss to Washington
KEVIN MCHALE
Yeah, we were sticky again tonight. We didn’t have great movement and our spacing got a little bit funky. We chased the ball a little too much. ... (on Jeremy Lin)
Jeremy wasn’t feeling good before the game. He was a little bit under the weather so we tried to keep his minutes moderate so he could have energy.
JEREMY LIN
I’m not sure what it is. It’s a flu or cold or something … I should have played better. I could have helped the team out more than I did tonight. Now going to get back, get ready for the next one and move on.
We came in here, we wanted to get a win and we didn’t, so everyone’s going to be (disappointed), starting with me – obviously I didn’t do pretty much anything tonight.
On what changed in the second half:
“I think in the beginning they were helping a lot off the corners so we were able to hit looks. Guys were just able to get a lot of open shots and threes. But in the second half, they did more switching so they weren’t in rotation as much.”
Well, the Milwaukee Bucks played J.J. Reddick tonight, and he was traded AFTER the Kings/Rockets trade went down. Why isn't their new forwards T. Robinson and Francisco Garcia getting any minutes ?
Not cleared for the physicals test yet so the trade was not finalized.
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen At last, the Hou-Sac deal is official. If the Rockets were playing a double-header, Robinson, Garcia could play. Honeycutt sent to RGV.
Sigh, so no help besides Carlos Delfino at power forward. They should at least give Garcia some burn, he's a 7 year NBA veteran, he's gotta know something about playing for a team.
good read from Knicksfan.net! A Mile Marker On The Jeremy Lin Decision
ReplyDeleteI'm a big jlin fan (you can look at my previous posts), but he really didn't play well at all today. he started the game with very low motor and seemed out of it. shots didn't fall and by the end of the game he was passing up big open looks and turning them into bad plays.
ReplyDeletethere were two really bad possessions late, one where jlin elevated for a contested jumper he should have just shot, instead he decides last minute to pass the ball and it got turned over.
another play james harden showed great confidence in lin with just 1 or 2 minutes left driving and kicking to an open jlin for the corner 3. jlin hesitated and then got covered when he should have just shot it.
I was wondering what the heck was wrong with him and now I understand why he was so out of it, having played with a cold. he didn't have any energy or focus tonight. it happens. next game!
Matt Jackson @MJ4Sports
DeleteKevin McHale said Jeremy Lin was sick tonight
Jonathan Feigen tweeted that Parsons had a bit of a cold too. I think he was just trying to start shit though.
Delete@K.smith, he always does that. He is very messy. I think Lin probably has the flu and playing with a fever.JMO
DeleteSo Lin was sick tonight. Wellmthatnis a double whammy because he usually plays subpar on the second night of b2b but having the illness doesn't help much either.
ReplyDeleteLike I said on the other thread, I honestly believe that bev came in for offense and not defense for wiz,s possession with the game tied. No more timeouts so McHale wanted an offense for Rox 's potential last possession.
No matter, head coach not having the confidence in you to play u for a crucial moment is a complete lack of respect, a recurring theme for the season this far.
@Solidz75, i feel you. I think also that Mchale brought Beverly back in for possible getting a chance to hit a 3. Parsons,Harden, Lin and Delfino had bricked shots in last minutes of the game. But the problem with Mchale is, he didn't know how to turn his plan into action. So complete fail in the end.
DeleteAs a NBA new fan, I concur that planning and execution are equally important. McHale probably has a plan to get Beverly hit a three but he failed in knowing how to deploy his players to execute the plan and win.
Deletei disagree. No way McHale would rely on Beverly to shoot the three on the last shot. He was in there for defense.
DeleteYup, it's a utter fail move on Mchale's end. One thing Lin did well despite his horrid performance was his defense. I mean this is a guy who actually made nba.com's short list for defense player of the year. If u stuck to your guts and decided to bring him back in, let him finish the game. As a coach, I'd much rather lose with my player on the player then a bench player.
DeleteAnd yes, Lin was sick, and did not have a good night but you are foolish to pin this loss on Lin. The rockets had a good lead... Keep chucking up threes when they are not falling and then having no sound back up offensive plan will o that to you. This happened before and will continue to happen until we get an actual proven coach who knows what he is doing.
@Soidz75, amen to this post.I also think Lin has more than a cold, i think he probably has the flu and probably playing with a fever, that is why he was dragging.How do you loose a 17 pt lead to a scrub team? Poor coaching.
Delete"How do you loose a 17 pt lead to a scrub team? Poor coaching."
DeleteDon't tell that to Morey. McHale is a candidate for coach of the year award.
@alcsd morey also said that there would be no trade. Guess what happened. So Morey said that because Mchale was getting roasted on twitter about his treatment of Lin. I bet Morey/Les are already looking into available coaches that can lead Rockets to a championship. Remember this is a business with $$$ signs attached. If you start messing with Les's investment, guess what you are gone.just sayin
DeleteIf I were in his shoes, I would have said the exact same thing because it will hurt the moral of the team. He didn't want the players to be on their toes for fearing that they will get traded.
DeleteMorey doesn't have to twit that. Can you imagine twitting that and the Rockets make the playoffs and cutting McHale at the end of the season, the scrutiny he will face?
McHale benched Douglas for no reason after Beverley was first signed, do you think it was Morey or McHale? Morey wanted to test Beverley out before sending Douglas off to another team.
@alcsd, i see your point,but Morey didn't care about how it looks, because he went on several radio broadcasts and said that he as keeping the team that he has, and 48 hours later TD, Alrich, Patterson and Morris was gone. I think Morey is playing both sides, but he will ultimately do what Les wants, so him saying Mchale for coach of the year, I am still not buying it. They won't fire Mchale, but just offer him a job at the front office. The problem with Mchale, he is very stubborn and he wants to do things his way and he will dig his own whole to be buried in.
DeleteLes is one of the top 400 richest people in the US. He has other businesses beside this one. If he were Cuban, then I can see it, but I don't think he is as involved as some member here make it sounds to be. Morey runs the operation.
DeleteDo you know why Martin was traded? It was because he didn't get along with McHale. Martin had a shoulder injury and was having trouble hitting his shots so McHale benched him. In fact, he benched him during crucial moments where fans questioned McHale's mind. Ironically Martin was one of the players that campaigned for Mchale to get the coaching job (because he idolizes him as a player). It was well documented that they didn't get along and Martin kind of knew that he was getting traded sometime in the season, but didn't expected the way it went down.
It’s not really a secret that Kevin Martin is unhappy in Houston. His minutes have been inconsistent, and he’s heard his name come up multiple times in trade rumors after GM Daryl Morey told him he was untouchable. He also doesn’t appreciate that the Rockets are doing to him what they do to everyone come contract time.
Deletehttp://www.hoopsworld.com/nba2-kevin-martin-and-the-timberwolves/ written 2/22/12
Les has nothing to do with Martin getting traded.
But late in the year, there started to be indications. Kevin Martin's diminished role. Some grousing from veterans. Then, what seemed out of the blue, star point guard Kyle Lowry unloaded in the press about how he didn't see things being repaired between coach Kevin McHale and him.
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/20212303/kevin-mchale-says-the-lockout-was-why-he-didnt-get-along-with-his-rockets-players-last-season
Leaving Houston would have been good for Martin no matter where he went. It was clear that the franchise’s plans did not include him and that he and the head coach did not get along.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1390527-chance-to-contend-with-okc-thunder-will-rejuvenate-kevin-martins-career
I know it's BB, but still it also mentions their toxic relationship.
The pattern here:
Lowry didn't get along with McHale-got traded
Martin didn't get along with McHale-got traded
McHale doesn't respect and like Lin--lets wait and see who Morey will side with
Excellent observation, alcsd.
DeleteThere is a difference, though.
Neither Lowry nor Martin can DEFEND like Lin. In today's NBA, Lin is the greatest defensive guard in the game.
McHale's weakness, from what I see, is understanding and coaching defense. Yet he has been inadvertently gifted with the greatest defensive guard in the game, and that guard covers up a lot of McHale's defensive liabilities!
McHale has learned to play Lin for defensive reasons. McHale NEEDS Lin, much more than he needed Lowry or Martin or Dragic.
So in the end, I do agree with your assessment that "let's wait and see who Morey will side with". For me I'm hoping that it'll be Lin and a defense understanding McHale who recognizes that Lin is the perfect point guard for his system.
KHuang, yes, you're right Lin can defend. However, what's important was that McHale didn't think Lin is capable of defending during the critical point of the game and subbed him out for a new PG that just joined the team a couple of weeks ago. Now that's confidence in your starting PG.
DeleteMcHale doesn't feel he needs Lin.
Neither KMart or Lowry or Dragic are as famous as Lin. JLin is a golden goose. McHale is just a guy who walks funny. He cant treat JLin the same and think he can get away with it.
DeleteYes - JLin has been somewhat inconsistent but - if his coach had been more consistent and supportive JLin would have done much better.
Whats all that talk about HR? Why would a coach ruin his players confidence ON THE COURT - DURING THE GAME? Why would he bench his star player all the time and make him look bad in front of the crowd? Why wouldnt he treat other players that bad? Why would he arrange substitutions to make backups look better than his star player? Why would he not make use of his PGs true abilities?
I cant prove it but I but I have the gut feeling that McHale is mistreating Lin on purpose. Yes - some of you have stated that you think hes simply dumb. I feel like McHale is messing with Lin to make Lin lose his game and confidence - ultimately to get rid of him.
redbool, Lin WAS in to defend at a critical point this game.
DeleteDefend he did. Lin stopped John Wall, but Lin didn't have his health today to win this game.
McHale wants Jeremy Lin to play a simpler easier game, but that's not possible because opponents are loading up on Lin. It's McHale's fault for not recognizing this, but it's also McHale's credit for having enough faith in Lin to play him on a sick day like this.
10:30 UTA v.s LAC
ReplyDeleteSince Lakers is looking like improved to get into the payoff(D-12 has his GM's back that he will be Lakers' future, now he can just play his basketball), I am assuming Houston,Lakers,UTA and GWS (Boget is reported with back issue, not good though!)will battling for the final three seats!
Lin was sick and sucked today!!! Wutzup with all the spin...roflmao.
ReplyDeleteWow I thought we were done with all the lin haters...Soon as he doesn't do well its "he sucks".
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDo you know how to read??? Sucked "today." Can he have a sucky game? Stop having an orgasm!!!
Delete@geronimo, why are you here? People can post their opinion about the game without you trying to create drama with your posts. Now you are just being messy.
DeleteWhat's drama? You all can't handle the word "sucks" and blame it on me. Funniest thing I've ever heard.
DeleteYou all too damn fragile. Peace out!!!
DeleteLin was sick and played sucked today! Can't blame him too much. It supposed to be a win. But Rocket was short-handed and Delfino could not guard their big men. When are we getting those guys? Coach seems have no game plan especially when it's a close game. 3 pointers shootings is good but get in the paint is even better. Rockets always play badly with B2B. Wizard had B2B too. They won both games. There's no excuse. I'm sure they will play well next game against Buckets @ home court.
DeleteLol I guess he doesn't understand the meaning of:
Delete"Soon as he doesn't do well its he sucks"
He replies with
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO READ? Sucked "today"
No kidding sherlock lmao.
You got it jenny drew. You and KHuang understand exactly what the problems are. The last possession with Delfino on Nene was BAD, VERY BAD. No other choice right now but to play a small lineup. Montejunas is not experienced enough.
DeleteAnd we can all go beyond this name calling because geronimo is NOT a troll and of course neither are us here.
DeleteLet's just emjoy the game and each other, guys.
Also geronimo, let's not sexualize this forum.
DeleteChildren read this forum, and we have had plenty of problems with trolls coming on here deliberately to ruin our reputation.
As you are NOT a troll, I know that we will all try to keep this place CLEAN.
Don't do well = sucks. I've never heard of don't do well = good or greatt. So if I don't do well, I will say I suck too. What's the big deal. Just calm your horses.
DeleteThe orgasm part, geronimo.
DeleteWe can let that go.
I'm embarrassed for having to raise that.
Sucks is OK. Everybody uses that.
Alright KHuang, I take that back and will have the orgasm myself tonight.
DeleteOh god, geronimo from CF? You're on everyone's ignore list. Ignore the troll everyone.
DeleteI knew it. He is from CF.....explains a lot.LOL
DeleteSounds good to me and better to you, geronimo!!!
Deletebetter never than "take back". when you post it in the first place, you must be very proud of yourself and you did that on purpose. don't see how funny it is when people think Lin has good game, it is different from what you think and you can't stand it.
DeleteJust want to know of we don't make playoff, what's the chance Mcgail get fired? Sick or now, if u let Lin play, then trust him. Even bleacher, usually very critical of Lin, said trading TD will help Lin to secure more playing 4th quarter and crunch minute. Lol apparently they don't know Mcfail well enough as shown tnite.
ReplyDeleteIf they dont make the playoff, i seriously think that McHale will get fired
DeleteAt this point in time, the only way for McHale to get fired is Herculean collapse in the second half to miss the playoffs. Otherwise, next year will be his actual test.
DeleteMchale's not going anywhere. I think he's got next year left on his contract?! They'll either renew it or just let him walk.
DeleteYou don't fire a coach that is going to make the playoffs with the youngest team in the NBA. Even if they don't make the play offs, he's not going anywhere. He was chosen bc he wasn't like Adelman. Adelman wanted more power in choosing personnel.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOk, took a breather. Lin was sick as we expected, so that explains things a little bit. However, Rockets can't keep losing these dumb games. I'm sorry but that last Rocket's posession was completely mind boggling. Either way. Now we have time to practice and we can add Robinson and Garcia to the lineup. Call me crazy, but this is just won't to boost the Rockets. Hoping for a 5 game winning streak.
ReplyDeleteStill frustrated, especially because even posters here have been suckered into the notion that Lin played poorly because he didn't shoot the ball well.
ReplyDeleteHe didn't have a great game, obviously, but, he was doing a good job of running the offense, a skill that is overlooked because it's intangible and there are no "stats" for running an offense.
When Steve Nash won his two MVP awards, in both seasons, I believe he averaged around 17 points per game. He won the award because he ran that Phoenix Dantoni offense so effectively - the team scored mega points because his primary role was to promote team offensive efficiency, not put up big individual numbers.
It should be clear by now that Lin has that offense running skill that Nash, Rondo, Chris Paul have, and that most other point guards in the league, including the so called elite point guards (Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, Deron Williams). Harden, for all his playmaking abilities, can't really run an offense, because he's got too much of a scorer's mentality to do so.
Nobody got suckered into anything. You're over your head. He sucked today cause he didn't have his legs under him. He couldn't attack like he normally does so he stayed back and shot the ball and his shots weren't falling. He lacked energy on both offense and defense. He had one good defensive stop against Wall at the end and that's it. Peace out!!!
DeleteIn last paragraph, my post should read that so called elite point guards like Westbrook and Irving are terrible at running an offense. They are great scorers, no doubt. And get distribute when in the mood. But, they lack that intangible court-vision skill to run an offense and maximize the team's offensive efficiency.
Delete@genonimo what's up with the 'drive by messages". In my neighborhood, peace out means you're gone.(hope so)
Deletegeronimo, I'm going to politely ask you to not antagonize people here.
DeleteYou can debate all you want, but let's keep personal attacks out of this OK?
I know that you are an honorable guy. We here on this forum are not your enemies.
Peace out to you!!! Meaning you're icky so get away from me.
DeleteKHuang go tell awarde and Kenoshi that.
DeleteI AM telling not just awarde and Kenoshi that, but everybody who is reading.
DeleteIt's just that I know that you are smart enough to LISTEN, so I picked you because YOU DA MAN!
geronimo, how about actually reading my posts with an open mind, instead of assuming I'm "rationalizing" Lin's crappy play. i actually agree with you with your assessment of some aspects of Lin's game tonight. He did look tired. But, you're totally ignoring what I consider the most important skill he has as a point guard, and he was doing that much more effectively than Beverly. Go read my post above again.
Deletejeremy can only do so much tonight. i was there in the verizon center and i did not know he is sick. so he ends up had 6 asts and 5pt in 26 min, not a good game for him, so be it, but there is nothing to laugh at.
DeleteGeronimo I feel you. People here can't handle the word sucks. Too emotional. Look 2 things are true tnght: lin didn't play well and McHale didn't handle his minutes well. It's hilarious how everyone's dissecting the hell out of it. He was sick so that should calm everyone down a bit.
DeleteLol I have no need to attack you geronimo, you make yourself sound stupid with your every post. I just have fun pointing them out.
DeleteYou can't even get your wannabe ghetto slang correct, so sad.
You contribute nothing and post flamebait like "hahahaha he sucked" and wonder why people bash you. Lol truly pathetic.
Lol wow mr euro shows up to defend geronimo lmao.
DeleteLeyer, you are back?
DeleteBefore you go around antagonizing people again here, let's not forget the TROLLING you've done hating on people here.
Don't be trying to turn this place into a flame war again. I've fought you several times and I'll fight you again if that's what you're looking for here.
Otherwise, enjoy the forum.
Sigh. Let me try this another way.
DeleteI'm sure those of you all certain that Lin's game "sucked" today also think Beverly outplayed Lin. The numbers clearly suggest so.
So, here's my question - let's say Lin didn't play at all, DNP (cold), and Beverly played point guard most of the game. Are you all suggesting that they would have beaten the Wizards if Beverly started and played 35-40 minutes?
@Kenoshi touche'
DeleteAnd a follow up question - Do you think McHale believes if he had Beverly play most of the game instead of Lin, that ROckets would have won the game?
DeleteKenoshi, I respect you deeply.
Deletegeronimo is NOT a troll. He may have a "different" way of expressing things, but he does want Lin to do well and thinks highly enough of him to post here.
You, Kenoshi, know as much about Lin as anybody. Plus you're one of our staunchest anti troll guardians. I enjoy everything you post.
Help me out here, Kenoshi. Even if geronimo really was a troll (which I really don't think he is), I think we can welcome him as part of our community here. I'd like to give him a chance to join in with us, not against us.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWow easy there tough guy kwang. I would never dare to fight you. You're the bestest greatest fighter of all. Lol. Oh and typing in caps does NOT make you cool. Lol
Deletesterling pound minus euro multiply japanese yen, oh well, three things we know: £, € and ¥ are all very weak but their people are putting up very brave fight to battle the situation. hope you can focus on better things than fighting KHuang cuz you're not gonna win, huh!
DeleteAlright KHuang I don't know what you see in him, perhaps he is a real fan and not a troll, I'll play nice :)
DeleteGeronimo, you are new to this forum.
DeleteWe are regularly antagonized by trolls like this Ley guy who HATES EVERYONE HERE.
Consequently, people here can be antagonistic toward you - and guys like me will step in to defend you. I know you are no troll.
But this ley guy? He's been flaming this board and hates people here. So geronimo, watch me PUNK this ley troll and shoot all of his hatred back at him. And if you want to help me hate this hater, JUMP IN!
Welcome Geronimo. Just plz do us all a favor don't post flamebaits, this IS a Lin fan site afterall :)
Delete@kenoshi +11111111
DeleteAlright people, kool!!!
DeleteEverybody look at geronimo.
DeleteHE AIN'T NO TROLL.
So he's from clutchfans. Doesn't mean anything. Here, geronimo is ONE OF US.
Welcome to this forum, geronimo. We appreciate you being here and you are definitely one of us now!
@Roberlin - I did not miss your message. The control of ball flow is key to getting an offense going, and I only saw some key play-by-play text, some final minutes, and listened to LP as I was driving around. I'll watch the game later if I can - generally, I'd say your point isn't going to be heard too much tonight because Lin was sick, we lost, and people are upset and fighting each other.
DeleteOverall, I think change is gonna come with the new guys, so next week will be some good watching. I hope JLin gets well quickly, so he can play a key role in practice to get these new guys going into the teamwork.
This week has been quite a schock for them (4 of 12, and McHale tends to only use what? 8 or 9?) And we won 2 games with that, plus flu.
So as of this moment, I still dislike McHale. As a result, I am coming up with irrational rationalizations, and am probably reading too much into things. My irrational rationalization is this: I don't know if McHale is protecting JLin or himself. As in, I believe that McHale realizes he messed up, in retrospect, and saying that JLin is sick with a cold gives McHale an excuse for his poor coaching or how he played JLin in this particular game and maybe that last play?
ReplyDeleteRegardless, they should not be losing to the Wizards. It sounds like ultimately, coaching lost this game. No surprise there.
Depends on what the question was, i guess. Did the reporter ask, did you bench lin because he was sucking? Or, was he asked, why did you wait so long to put back in your starting point guard in the fourth?
DeleteMcHale may not HATE Lin but clearly doesn't have nearly as much respect for his game than we do.
DeleteI hate all these rationalization s that McHale is giving Lin tough love, or somehow protecting him. All I see is him trying to make Lin into something he is not- just a serviceable role player far away from reaching his Linsanity potential. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Lin doesn't mean much to McHale and there are more than just handful of evidences that support this fact. To not see this is deceiving your eyes.
Solidz, I think McHale doesn't have high basketball IQ and fails to see all the intangible skills Lin brings to the table. Hence, he thinks Beverly is doing a fine job cuz he's shooting threes, hustling, etc. McHale either ignores or fails to see that when Bev is in there, the offense degenerates, as players stop playing their assigned roles, get lazy and start freelancing.
DeleteYup, McHale has the blinders on when it comes to Kim. He really act like those typical loh who fail to see what Lin brings to his team.
DeleteThis is the only way to rationalize his irrational moves with Lin this year.
I honsetly think that he is being forced by upper management to play Lin more minutes. If he had his way, he would have Beverley starting with Lin, the rookie, backing him up.
I mean the way he showed Beverley love after last game - it was really pathetic.
Cali7, say whatever you want, it's all good. This is a Lin fan site after all. No need to sensor yourself because of a troll. :)
DeleteSolidz, if McHale is that incompetent he would start Beverly over Lin, then, McHale is a really, really bad coach.
DeleteBeverly is NOT a starting point guard in the NBA. He has the potential to be a servicable back-up, but that's the ceiling for him. No team in the NBA needing a starting point guard is looking at Beverly as a possibility for next season. And I'm certain Morey isn't ready to sign Bev to a 3 year, guaranteed contract. He'll be fighting for a roster spot next year with other journeymen point guards.
Does anyone think Sacramento actually wanted Beverly over Tony Douglas?
I do hope Beverly makes the team next year, as the team's 3rd point guard. But, they need a back-up point guard who is more polished and better at distributing the ball.
Trying to be rational and not emotional. :) Can't get a handle on McHale and I agree with whomever it was that said that McHale is inarticulate.
DeleteI just hope JLin gets well soon, and that whatever he has doesn't get worse.
@cali7, i think Mchale will dig his own hole and fall in. Also I think Lin will be fine. Probably needs fluids and antibiotics.
Deletecali, i'm the one who thinks McHale is inarticulate. I've given up trying to interpret his cryptic statements. I think when he tries to give nuanced compliments about Lin or anyone else, he ends up making no sense whatsoever. I.e., the whole homerun hitter versus single hitter metaphor. HUH???
DeleteI thought it was you Roberlin but wasn't sure. Exactly! HUH? McHale's comments are simply gibberish to me so I actually stopped watching his interviews. He also repeats himself. I don't think I need to hear that the ball got sticky as the reason they lost every single time. How about defense?
DeleteActually, I have heard him mention defense.
DeleteI find McHale not only understandable, but predictable.
DeleteHe has not figured out yet WHY Lin is the team's catalyst, though on a subconscious level McHale indeed recognizes that by playing Lin during critical junctures when the game is undecided.
I have no doubt that the Rockets assistants are recognizing that Lin is being trapped left and right and up and down. I'll bet they even talk to McHale about helping Lin beat those traps. And I'll bet McHale BLOWS THEM OFF and says "Don't worry, the system will create opportunities for Lin, he just has to make the simple decisions and he'll be just fine". Meanwhile the assistants are scrambling to move guys strategically so that Lin can operate.
Every motion offense coach in the NBA: Phil Jackson, Rick Adelman, Eddie Jordan, Kevin McHale, Mike Woodson, Keith Smart, Gregg Popovich - every one of those coaches has publicly battled their perimeter players because they think that the perimeter stars are playing selfish by hurling themselves against traps. But the championship coaches like Jackson and Popovich did eventually figure out that a superstar going 1 on 2 or 1 on 3 is often trying to suck defenses toward him and this be a TEAM PLAYER!
This is the NBA where anybody can lose to anybody, even when people are in perfect health. NOBODY wins every game.
ReplyDeleteThe Rockets have just executed a blockbuster trade that depleted them of their two power forwards. Their backup swingman is manning a forward position, plus Lin is ill. Sometimes stuff catches up to people.
This season, the Rockets have not lost many games that they should've won. Given that they are the youngest and cheapest team in the NBA, the Rockets are doing just fine.
Lin will obviously bounce back from this game. A healthy Lin would've likely eaten the Wizards alive. It also goes to show how important Lin is, because as he goes so does the team.
This is more like it. A good post!!!
Delete@KHuang Amem!!!!
DeleteAm I the only here who thought he played well enough to help the team win the game, IF fucking McHale put him back in the fourth quarter at the 10 minute mark?
DeleteIn others, sick as he was, shooting poorly as he was, he was still able to run the offense well and bring stability to the team and have the team play cohesively, both on offense and defense. Until he got benched for an entire quarter.
@khuang. Totally agree with u.
DeleteNo, you are not the only one.
DeleteAnd there are also people here who would be like "Lin's sick? Protect him by playing him less minutes". I myself fall into that category.
In the NBA, coaches often make wrong decisions. As long as they don't consistently make wrong decisions that lead to repeated errors, that can be lived with. For me, McHale is still a net positive coach despite what I perceive as shortcomings.
@Roberlin I said twice already, I do not think Lin played bad (not excellent tho). You are right about the cohesive plays. We all know the game was lost by that long rebound. Even if you put MJ in there, we would still lose.
DeleteKHuang we all know any team can beat any team if the situation was right, we are just pointing out the blatant mistakes today.
DeleteJLin was sick and didn't play well, whatever. He gets a pass from me, Harden was horrible when he had the flu as well. Bev picked up his slack but was short on defense.
Problem is even with a sick Lin he is a better playmaker. Putting Bev in too long risks too much freelancing which was already pointed out Rockets descended into chaos in 4Q, because like TD he isn't a very good playmaker. Most importantly Bev let Wall get hot.
Even against a sick Lin, John Wall was hesitant to attack and quickly passed off the ball all game, I don't know why people insist that John Wall was going to do this and that to Lin, he couldn't beat Lin before, he didn't today, Lin did a good job keeping Wall in front of him. When he tried to attack like 4Q he was shut down, PANTSED like z would say, in front of everyone to see.
McHale doesn't realize this and instead valued Beverley's "energy" too much, and again, made the costly mistake of leaving the backup in way too long.
When we needed defense, McHale opted for offense. We were trading shots for an entire quarter and wizards clawed back up, but still McHale didn't get it into his thick head that we needed stops.
Team cohesion fell apart in 4Q, plain and simple, and resulted in very costly TOs that Rockets can ill afford with a short roster.
KHuang, I disagree with your point. The Rockets had this game in hand, until McHale screwed it up by not bringing in Lin earlier in the fourth. Even with his shitty box score numbers, with Lin in the game, the rockets seemed to be in command of the game for most of the game and early in the fourth.
DeleteIt started to get away under Beverly's play, not under Lin's play. And by "it," I mean the team's command of the game started to get away, because they started to lose team cohesion under Beverly, the same way the team had no cohesion against Sacramento when Lin fouled out of the game with three minutes left.
And oh KHuang, btw, if it wasn't clear, I agree with you, Rockets is doing great, its just a shame to lose this one, it irritates me so.
DeleteJust pointing out what COULD have been :)
Brent, to clarify, I think the game never should have come down to the last play. THe mistake that cost the Rockets the game occurred between the middle of the third quarter and through half the fourth quarter, when McFool left in Beverly to "run" the point while keeping Lin on the bench to get all cold and tight.
DeleteThis is the third time this season McHale overextended Beverly, resulting in a loss each time in games that could have been won by the Rockets. This game, the game against Denver, and one other game I'm forgetting the team the Rockets played.
I keep telling you guys that you'd HATE ME if I was the coach and not McHale.
DeleteI'd have gone "Poor Lin. Since Coach Khuang is trying to protect your health, I'll feed you chicken soup and tuck you in tonight. Meanwhile, take this game off and SIT YOUR BUTT BY ME and help me coach the team!!!"
And then the Rockets would lose and the "Fire Coach Khuang" chants would start!
Trust me, McHale is a very imperfect coach who's doing a passable job. Because if I'd benched Lin today like I wanted to, the Rockets wouldn't even have been in the game to win it at the end!
@Robertlin, I know what you are saying, I agree with u except I have doubt that more minutes for Lin will bring a big change. I mean I am 100% sure if he is healthy. I don even know hoe sick he is, so I guess I just do not know if more minutes will do more good or more bad.
DeleteGreat points, KHuang. It's just a bad loss.
DeleteKenoshi, I also felt the game was winnable but some nights Lin or McHale won't make the best decision-making process. It's a hard call on the last play to sub Bev in for Lin. But that's not why the game is lost.
The Rockets are shorthanded in PGs. Beverley was great with 6-7 shooting but he was not making plays for others like Lin can. Lin was clearly sick so I wish Eric Maynor was traded to Houston.
Gotta let this game go. Just a bad loss, that's all.
Brent, I know it may not seem like much, but, if McHale played Lin just 4 more minutes by bringing him in at the 10 minute mark instead of at the 6 minute mark, that would have been enough for the Rockets to win. No way they would have suddenly imploded like they did in this game, and in another game where a similar thing occurred (Lin sat out too long, team started losing lead under Beverly, team ultimately lost).
DeleteKHUang, I don't mind limiting Lin's minutes because of sickness, but, if you play him, then you play him to win. At the six minute mark, I think he should've just let Beverly finish the game. But, this pattern of keeping Beverly in too long is in fact a pattern, he keeps doing it, to bad results. And burning a time out so he could take out Lin for Beverly on the last play - ultimate stupidity.
Khuang, read Edward Mermelstein's post below. If McHale was really concerned about Lin's health, the worst thing he could have done was sit Lin for a long time and let him get chilled, tight, and start feeling the fatigue, and then bring him back in with six minutes left. That's cruel.
DeleteRoberlin, it's hard to second-guess what could have happened if Lin was back in with 10 min left rather than 6 min left.
DeletePerhaps the Rockets would have more offensive rhythm but McHale clearly tried to gave Lin as much rest as possible to make the last push.
Lin clearly was not himself because of his cold. Just look at the bad TO when he should have shot but instead passed to be stolen. If healthy, he won't make that bad pass.
Let's give them all the benefit of the doubt.
At least now everyone knows without a healthy Lin, the Rockets offense is only potent when 3PT shooting is falling. No offensive rhythm out there
Even worse for them is how much a sick Lin actually helped on defense. Holding off John Wall for 24 seconds resulting in bad shot, harassing Trevor Ariza into a bad 3PT shot. So yes, I think McHale should have let Lin in the last play but hopefully McHale won't repeat this mistake ever.
A sick Lin still wrecked havoc in defense. Just ask John Wall.
I don't necessarily feel that way, Roberlin.
DeleteIt can also be seen that McHale had souch faith in Lin's ability to win games that he HAD to out Lin back in. Because that's what I would've done with Lin if I were the coach - chicken soup and all!
Psalm, I think you misunderstand my points. Unlike 99% of people here, I actually think Lin played a GOOD game, given the circumstances.
DeleteAnd, I think he played a better game than Beverly, as point guard/offense-runner. The one stat that supports my point is the assist total - Lin tied Harden for team leader with six assists, even in Lin's limited minutes. Beverly, I think, had 3 assists.
It's clear to me that Lin's real talent as a player is as a team floor leader, ala Steve Nash. Beverly brings energy, can hit those threes, but is definitely NOT a floor general, and will never be compared to Nash.
When sick Lin subbed out in the third, he did so with the team leading and in command of the game. When he came back in, the lead was still there, but, command of the game had slipped big time without Lin, and six minutes wasn't enough to right the ship.
McHale's big flaw as coach, up to this point, is his seeming inability to recognize or understand or value the skill of running an offense that Lin possesses and that Beverly does not.
I only saw the last 7-8 minutes of the game so I can't comment on lin's performance outside of shooting but what was up with ASik tonight? How did he get destroyed by okafor?
ReplyDeleteI did not see the game either, but any true Lin fan knows that Omer Asik's performance is entirely dependent on Jeremy Lin.
DeleteAsik needs Lin to create shots for him, and Asik also needs Lin to help defend the interior.
A hobbled Lin hobbles not just Asik, but the entire team. Opponents know that knocking Lin out is the key to beating the Rockets.
@Khuang and Robertlin, I feel you two are saying the same thing about Lin.
DeleteBut anyway, I doubt Lin can physically stay on the court and still kept up his D. Robertlin, you are right about PB, but IDK, who knows what 10 more minutes might do to Lin's energy on his D?.
Well, Brent Yen, RoberLin and I don't agree on McHale.
DeleteI have said all season that McHale is the RIGHT coach for Lin. I didn't mean that McHale would be a "perfect" coach either.
There have been plenty of times that I've disagreed vehemently with McHale's coaching. I still think that McHale is a net positive GOOD coach for Lin.
My hope is that McHale starts to understand how important Lin is defensively. That would be a good stepping stone toward McHale understanding how valiantly Lin is battling the overwhelming traps that McHale has yet to understand.
McHale needs to realize that Lin is actually the greatest point guard one could theoretically fashion for his offense. But it'll take some maturation of McHale's defensive misunderstandings before that happens.
KHuang, I disagree that you and I don't agree on McHale. lol.
DeleteBrent is right. We more or less say similar things about Lin. I think we say it differently so that it seems like we're actually disagreeing.
We also need to understand that McHale is a newbie coach as well, only in his second year. And he's a rarity; most coaches sucked as players, while we all know that he was a very good player with the Celtics. Perhaps that may explain some of the inexplicable moves he makes, since most good players don't have the highest basketball IQs. Except for point guards.
You make an interesting point that bears elaboration. How would McHale learning how good Lin is defensively help him to learn how good he is offensively as a point guard for his offense?
Mchale correctly sense Lin as being the guy that singlehandedly stops the defensive bleeding.
DeleteIf McHale looked closer, he'd see that Lin is trapping opponents all over the court while reading the passing and driving lanes.
Now if McHale could see how Lin is a true one-man defensive trap, he might also see how opponents trap the Rockets much the same way Lin traps them. Then McHale would have a much clearly view of how Lin fights to beat those doubleteams and this have more appreciation for Lin.
I had a bad luck, my family went to watch our first NBA game because of JLin, and had to witness a loss with JLin played poorly maybe due to his sickness.
ReplyDeleteMy little girl was disappointed, she "is mad at JLin"
I hope JLin recovers soon from cold or flu, hopefully next game when we go to watch will be a great one!
That's so sad! Tell your little girl not to be mad at JLin. He was very ill, no lift in his legs, no energy.
DeleteGlad you got to attend your first NBA game.
Yes, my little girl was very sad. I will tell her JLin will give her another good game as return :-) That is a promise!
DeleteI was lucky that my first game watch Rox are the game they ran NYK out of the Toyota center.
Deletei went to four rockets games this season so far, and they lost them all. i enjoy the time with friends/families and the live game atmosphere. too bad jeremy is sick, i get to cheer for his teammates and they almost win the game, it is just a game. no big deal.
DeleteIndeed you were so lucky! Today JLin didn't have energy, that was very clear. And he didn't shoot well, even in warm up, he didn't shoot well. I worried about him a couple a days ago when I heard he was sick, I was afraid he may not play at all, at least we got to see him play.
DeleteHopefully next time it is a good one!
I missed the game myself, so I'm checking here for actual updates... HOWEVER, why is there a troll in here? I rather have the war of words between KHuang and Etane because they're actual Lin fans than a troll who pretends to be a Lin fan just to antagonize the posters in this site.
DeleteI am ok to handle it, but it's hard for little kids with lots of admiration to get over with it.
DeleteThe "troll", IsabeliJane, is a GENIUNE LIN FAN who's legitimately trying to become a respected member here.
DeleteHe appreciates Lin, and he even appreciates Lin fans. That's no troll.
Clutchfans is not this forum. This place is completely different. If anybody comes in here and shows respect to Lin and Lin's fans, he SHOULD be accepted by us.
I feel bad for your little girl, LinFanOnly :(
DeletePerhaps you can find a gif of sick Lin with sweaty mess, shivering so your little girl can draw a chicken soup for him. Kids have great compassion if they know others are suffering.
He called a bunch of people nut huggers and laughed at everyone's reaction about the game. So no, he doesn't appreciate Lin fans.
DeleteI only get on people (2 people, ya'll know who you are) when they get extremely sarcastic and rude towards Lin fans.
That guy, k.smith, showed ME respect. And others here, too.
DeleteI'm definitely a JLin nuthugger. I'm overtly proud of it. I adore Lin's team first approach to the game and consider him one of the best NBA guards I've seen in my decades of watching the sport.
Geronimo did not laugh at my reaction to the game. He agreed with me, and he's learning how to be a fan here.
I've seen his comments on another forum and some of the things he said on here. So, I stand corrected on my view. Good for you, that he respects/agrees with you.
Deletepsalm234, thank you for the suggestion! I saw Lin's picture showing he was clearing suffering, I will show it to my little girl. We planned this for a long time, it was a big event for us. Just bad luck that cold/flu hit everyone so hard.
Deletehope it works :D
DeleteI only have 2 rambunctious boys so I have a soft spot for little girls :D
yeah, tell her Asik's sweat didn't help his nausea lol
@psalm - maybe you could be like Mrs. Shirley and have another boy. :)
DeleteMr Mcfail do u know LAL is ROFL big time because you hand the playoff opportunity to LAL for losing a game like this(and maybe more to come).... :(
ReplyDeleteLAL not in the playoff? I don't think NBA will let that happen.
DeleteAny way just stay hope. Although reality tells it's hard to believe there's a hope seeing how things are right now. :)
LAL has trouble playing as a TEAM, let alone beating anybody else.
DeleteIf those guys weren't ref protected, they'd be Phoenix Suns bad!!!
I don't know, watching last night's game vs Blazers...Yeah they got all the calls and I do agree Blazers should have won, but I'm starting to see trust between Howard/Kobe/Nash...Buss's death might just be the catalyst.
DeleteAnd how about Nash continue to shoot even though he was shooting 1/9 and made that big 2 to put Lakers up?
And wow Howard was just abusing Blazer big men at will. If they find that synergy, they could be dangerous.
Kenoshi, the Lakers are in MORTAL DANGER of missing the playoffs entirely.
DeleteBefore the season started, I wrote on this forum that the Lakers backcourt would be greyhounded by fast guards like Lin, Parker, and Westbrook. And that's exactly what happened.
The Blazers do not have penetrating guards. They have spot up perimeter shooting guards, but they don't have guards that attack the rim. Thus the slowfooted Lakers can match up with the Blazers.
Most NBA teams, especially Western Conference teams, have quick guards that shred the Lakers plodding defense. That is a significant problem that would have been solved had the Lakers signed Lin to defend opposing backcourts.
Listen to what actually happened based on first-hand observation from someone in the game (from novaman in CF):
ReplyDeleteJust got back from the game. Sat 7 rows back from the Rockets bench.
Yeah Lin was definitely sick. In fact, shortly before tipoff McHale went and put his hand on Lin's shoulder and asked him how he was feeling/if he was good to go and Jeremy nodded in the affirmative. At the half it looked like Jeremy was going to puke. He had his head covered up in a towel. He probably took some meds at halftime. I guess they needed him to give them at least some minutes tonight because besides Lin and Beverly, who else do they have right now to play PG?
As KHuang said, it's a bad loss but it happens to all good and great teams in the NBA.
McHale clearly was concerned about Lin. So let's hope Lin gets healthy, forgive McHale and Lin for not having perfect decision-making tonight. They're human after all. They're allowed to make mistakes.
Also let's hope Greg Smith is not having major knee injury.
Let's get the next game!
that cold indeed caught up on Jeremy..
DeleteHeard that Smith is fine.
Deleteyeah, looks like Smith will be fine .*phew*.. dodged a bullet there
DeleteJason Friedman @JasonCFriedman
Greg Smith suffered a right knee contusion and is not expected back tonight.
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
X-rays on Greg Smith's bruised right knee were negative. Already feeling much better, he said he'll be good to go Wednesday.
I think most are not happy because it's Wizard! Just remember wizard beat heat and Knicks too!
DeleteYou're right psalm234. I'll forgive this one.
DeleteAny update on Greg Smith?
Er, this isn't a cold, sounds more like full blown flu to me. Maybe John Wall caught it and Wizards go on a losing streak after this lol :/
DeleteI can only hope, @Kenoshi :D
DeleteLin should play drool-defense on opposing PGs in the next few games!
Wow, ok, I'll lay off the McHale bashing then...Guess he really had no choice today, he's just out of PGs. Lin being in that bad of a shape its no wonder he didn't shoot well.
DeleteNow that I know this I don't fault McHale for his rotations today, he just didn't have anyone else who could put stops on wiz in 3rd/4th, he did what he could, with Lin in that bad of a shape (shivering mess) I would think twice about putting him in as well.
I hate to say this but this probably is why McHale has Lin playing with Harden so much...Harden plays best when Lin is hot and drawing defenders AGAINST starters, and Harden has no problem vs any 2nd team with maybe exception of Clippers...
Hmmm a lot to think about...
@psalm234 haha JLin droolin' like zombies on opposing PGs!
DeleteCP3: Yo Lin you alright?
Lin: *low guttural tone* rawwwrrrr...
CP3: wtf...Noooooo!!!!
LOL Kenoshi
DeleteBlake: Don't u dare 2 come near the rim!
Lin: Wazzzzzahhhhhh, braahh....zzfbruahhchooohhzzzz!!!
Blake: Arggggghh.. blah...come on, man!
What's all this wetness!!! I'm no Parsons!!
"I'm no parsons!!!"
DeleteLOL!
I was right behind the Rocket bench and JLin was a shivering sweaty mess. I don't know why he played at all. It was a painful game to watch. I hope Lin bounces back soon because the team needs him confident, aggressive and determined in order to win. Also, McHale's long benching minutes of Lin undermine his flow and heat. When will McHAle learn that you can't sit a player for those kind of stretches and expect him to come back hot?!! Sad and disappointing night, but tomorrow is a new day.
ReplyDeletewow, for real, Edward? right behind the bench?
Delete^_^ Yes, A new day! He will bounce back. He always find his way to bounce back!
Deletewow from me Edward. i'm green with envy. so i guess mchale knew the team needs lin to win but lin being so ill just couldn't play long mins. but then again, it isn't the time lin is subbed in and out and sit for long stretches before the rox lost to scrub team. it's a F for mchale again!
Delete*isn't the first time
DeleteYes, exactly! If someone is sick, the worst thing to do is sit him out for a long time and let him get chilled and tight. After sitting Lin out for basically a whole quarter, he should just sat him out for the rest of the game. Totally unfair to Lin to bring him in "cold" with a cold.
DeleteThanks for the update. He was definitely off tonight. Here's to a speedy recovery.
DeleteIf lin was shivering that means that he probably had a fever.We all know what that feels like. I think Lin has more than a cold, probably has the flu.
DeleteRose/Edward: tell us more of your observation on Lin. Thx.
Deleteflu season.. Parsons has colds too.
Deletethanks for the update, Rose!
Deletelet's hope the flu bug pass very soon. Sounds very nasty.
Lin should've rested the last two games instead of playing B2B with the flu. There's no games for the next 4-5 days? Perfect chance for him to kick his bug. Playing while sick will make it slower to heal.
DeleteThat imbecile likes to sit him on the bench yet afraid to play without him.
I guess no Lin no win! From the bright side of view.
DeleteBefore the season started, I was hoping that Lin could play all 82 games.
DeleteSo far, Lin hasn't missed a game.
The thing is that I agree with Etane that making Lin sit this one out would probably have been the right thing to do for Lin's health. But I'm actually relieved that Lin's streak is still going.
If Lin plays all 82 regular season games, I will consider that his hugest achievement while also giving the Rockets coaching staff full credit for keeping Lin healthy amidst the streak!
I'm happy that Jeremy played and had 3 steals...otherwise, he'd have slipped out of the top 5 STEAL leader rankings after skipping this game. Most importantly, I think, Jeremy wanted to help his team win...too bad, the team just couldn't do it without him...
Delete"That imbecile likes to sit him on the bench yet afraid to play without him."
DeleteEtane, that's exactly what it seems like sometimes. Weird.
Not weird, Etane and Roberlin.
DeleteMcHale thinks he has a SELFISH BALLHOG in Jeremy Lin, yet the "selfish ballhog" wins games.
McHale just hates seeing Lin running like a trapped rat to create opportunities when passing lanes are closed off and opposing big men are laying in wait for Lin in the midrange. Yet McHale knows that if Lin plows through the double and triple teams while doing his free safety thing on defense, the Rockets win more.
i meant to say the team just couldn't do it without him being not down with a cold/flu...
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLin meets with Ambassador; Smith leaves with bone bruise
ReplyDeleteJEREMY AND HARDEN INTERVIEW WITH MIKE SCOTTO
ReplyDeleteSPEEDY RECOVERY FOR YOU, JEREMY
ReplyDeleteIsabeliJane, time to show your caring side to @Jlin7 :D
DeleteCome on, I know you want to do it...
IsabeliJane, it's now or never... ;>
Delete@psalm234 - please stop getting inside my thoughts... :D
Deletedon't be surprised if sooner or later Jeremy is already trolling this site, his own fan website lol
@janelin - it's now... :)
whoa.. didn't know u already launched Operation BFLin :D
Delete3 months from now:
@therealJlin7: I want to thank my GF @IsabeliJane for the Linspiring chicken soup that was made with love ... That's why I can score 39 points the next game.
@IsabeliJane: y'all received my red invitations, right?
@psalm - nah I'll ask him to follow how Kevin Durant keeps his private life with LeToya Luckett under wraps.. and we'll take that route :)
Deleteonce a planner, always a planner :}
DeleteI think his hands are swelling. is it because of the camera? anyway, hopefully he recovers in no time.
DeleteHere's a speedy recovery to Jeremy.
ReplyDeleteOther than Beverly, there isn't any backup PG on the Rox team to do a good PG job when Jeremy is under the weather? If this's the case, let's pray hard that Jeremy won't fall sick again and be healthy and injury free throughout the next 4 months if the Rox wants to go deep into the playoffs.
jane, Rox definitely needs to pick up a backup PG to relieve Lin and Beverley.
DeleteOtherwise, they'll be too spent to make deep playoff run.
I read Delfino can play some PG for the Argentinian national team but he's much more lethal launching 3PTers so I doubt they'll do it.
Too bad they can't trade Eric Maynor from OKC. OKC was actually afraid Maynor will help the Rox to knock them out of the 1st playoff round!!!
@psalm,
DeleteYeah, the immediate need for the team is to have another good back PG. Beverly is good by normal standard, Delfino is a more of a lethal long range shooter(wow, can't imagine i'm using bball jargon already) but I think with his veteran experience, he can do a better PG job than Parsons imho. So with the trade deadline is over now, we can only hope that the Rox(Morey or Les?) will pull off a stunning trade for a very solid backup PG.
@janelin:
DeleteJonathan Feigen: Rockets talked about point guards, but did not want to part with picks, pieces asked. Nothing further coming as we pass the deadline.
I will go with Harden to do the ball handling if Lin and PB are not playing.
DeleteRockets let one slip away in loss to Wizards
ReplyDeleteCalvin Murphy 'disappointed' by Rockets' loss
@IsabeliJane
ReplyDeleteHas the sick JLin recovered to attend the meet & greet with the Ambassador postgame Wizards?
according to THIS he did.
Deletehe probably left early, or he might have infected other people with his colds/flu
DeleteIt was a really bad night for JLin. LOH's on clutchfans are drooling at the chance to bash him and are in scalp hunter mode, trying to identify every Jeremy Lin fan. I wouldn't go on that site for the next 3 days, unless you are asking for a Flame War.
ReplyDeleteGet better soon Jeremy. I know that a cold can turn into a flu, and turn into a fever. Get some rest and relax ... you don't want it turning into a chronic lung infection like I had.
Lol its not that bad over there, for example:
Delete*****
For anyone who is blaming Lin, you're late on the bandwagon.
Lin was terrible earlier this season...
But he's just fine now. He has been playing exceptionally well for the last two months or so. He has really come around and is doing his job just fine. He's actually been more aggressive as well. He's still young so there's going to be some inconsistency, but overall Lin is headed in the right path.
I don't see the need to criticize him at this point.
Our pg situation is actually pretty decent right now. Surprisingly Beverley has been doing a decent job backing up Lin. Aside from the points where he loses his mind of course..
*****
This was DudeWah, who used to be one of the biggest Lin bashers, he's defending Lin now.
Lin will win them all over, other than those that hate him just because its fun.
Besides the sickness and the loss. For recent games, seem like Lin got green light on making those long range 2pts jumpers. I thought, Coaches told their ballers not to shoot those.
ReplyDeleteyes, Brent. For the past 2 games, I also noticed Lin got the green light to shoot long 2PT to start the games. Hopefully the coaches realize Lin needs to set the rhythm of the offense, not just because they're shorthanded.
DeleteAnd...although I understands that those long jumpers brings less scoring values, but if you do not take them, the D will not be honest.
Deletetrue, defense will need to respect that by coming closer and give room for dribble-penetration and PnR.
DeleteTonight PPat could have really helped with his midrange game. Way too many 3PTers.
The Heart Of The Matter
ReplyDeleteExamining some of the real reasons behind the Rockets' 105-103 loss to Washington
KEVIN MCHALE
Yeah, we were sticky again tonight. We didn’t have great movement and our spacing got a little bit funky. We chased the ball a little too much.
...
(on Jeremy Lin)
Jeremy wasn’t feeling good before the game. He was a little bit under the weather so we tried to keep his minutes moderate so he could have energy.
JEREMY LIN
I’m not sure what it is. It’s a flu or cold or something … I should have played better. I could have helped the team out more than I did tonight. Now going to get back, get ready for the next one and move on.
We came in here, we wanted to get a win and we didn’t, so everyone’s going to be (disappointed), starting with me – obviously I didn’t do pretty much anything tonight.
On what changed in the second half:
“I think in the beginning they were helping a lot off the corners so we were able to hit looks. Guys were just able to get a lot of open shots and threes. But in the second half, they did more switching so they weren’t in rotation as much.”
Jeremy caught the lovebug.
DeleteSome lucky lady stole his heart, that's why he just wasn't in it and feels all funky and don't know what it is...
It's our very own @IsabeliJane, Kenoshi.
DeleteBut it's ok. She promised Lin himself will troll his site soon :D
Well, the Milwaukee Bucks played J.J. Reddick tonight, and he was traded AFTER the Kings/Rockets trade went down. Why isn't their new forwards T. Robinson and Francisco Garcia getting any minutes ?
ReplyDeleteSomething about them not being cleared on King's side (as in TD/2Pat/Aldritch).
DeleteI think they are cleared now though, should see TRob in game vs Bucks.
Not cleared for the physicals test yet so the trade was not finalized.
DeleteJonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
At last, the Hou-Sac deal is official. If the Rockets were playing a double-header, Robinson, Garcia could play. Honeycutt sent to RGV.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThomas Robinson, Tyler Honeycutt and Francisco Garcia each arrived in Houston on Thursday and completed their physicals in time to catch a late flight to New York. With the time difference, the physical in Sacramento on Friday had not even started before the Rockets’ shootaround.
DeleteWithout the benefit of a shootaround, Kevin McHale said he was unlikely to play them against the Nets. The Rockets don’t have another shootaround or practice until Monday. Asked what sort of role he envisions for Robinson, McHale said, “Usually, I like to see a guy play before I give him a role.
Thomas Robinson: Won't Play Until He Practices Next Week
ReplyDeleteSigh, so no help besides Carlos Delfino at power forward. They should at least give Garcia some burn, he's a 7 year NBA veteran, he's gotta know something about playing for a team.
Delete