Saturday, February 23, 2013

Rockets @ Wiz Game #58 Pre Game Thread

Updated: 11:00am PT

62 comments:

  1. You're first! Good morning all from CA.

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  2. FINALLY!!!

    Jeremy Lin meets his first true individual challenge of the season in Washington guard John Wall.

    I know that sounds strange, given that Jeremy Lin has faced All Star point guards like Westbrook and Paul and Parker and Williams. Yeah, and Lin also had to contend with their max contract big men helping those guys out.

    I love John Wall and consider him an absolute equal to Jeremy Lin in raw basketball ability. I do think Lin is a little more sophisticated in playing the game, as Lin is older and has more basketball experience. But Wall is a FINE player who is the only guy in the NBA who I feel Jeremy Lin cannot automatically shred or stop in a direct head to head matchup devoid of max contract big man interference.

    Last season, Jeremy Lin had max contract big man help and had a great game. But John Wall scored 29 and dunked over Lin.

    I consider John Wall and Jeremy Lin the two best young two way point guards in the game, easily over Kyrie Irving who is strictly a scorer.

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    1. Yeah, John Wall is awesome. Like Lin, he can also has impact in a game that may not show up in stat sheet but only in win/loss. He is also great at playmaking and defense as well in terms of making people better like Lin.

      Washington played much much better with him now despite him putting only good but not spectacular numbers.

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    2. It's been a good matchup ... didn't Lin break his ankles and dunk in their first Linsanity match up, plus that summer league move? Will be fun to watch!

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    4. wall is a freak athlete. he's 6-4 but got 6-9+ wingspan and 40 inch running vertical.

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    5. last year with the knicks, lin got the ball poked away by wall's long arms. gotta becareful tonite.

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    6. Imo, John Wall's game has improved dramatically since Lin emerged on the scene and Wall's team was one of the victim's of Linsanity.

      Before Lin, Wall was like Harden, looking to score on one man fast breaks.

      After that game, he saw what real point guard play was like, that it's about being the quarterback of the team and facilitating efficient team play, and making his teammates better. He understood that for a point guard, a 14 point, 12 assist game is better than a 28 point, 5 assist game. This is something Kyrie Irving hasn't learned, and may never learn, cuz that dude can score. If I were Cleveland, I get a true point guard and let Kyrie play 2-guard ala Harden. Or a point-forward. But, I digress.

      Anyway, my point is Lin has helped Wall mature into a playmaker instead of a scorer, and his team has benefited from that. I should check Wall's box scores last year pre Linsanity and post Linsanity. But, if I recall correctly, Wall's scoring went down after Lin, but his assists went up.

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  3. I am worried about today's game because the Wizards are playing really well, they will be at home, John Wall has something to prove and will be looking for revenge on Jeremy and the Rockets are undermanned and have been for 3 games. If the Rockets can pull this one out, they will be in good shape.

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  4. Thank you sean joh for your posts in the last thread.

    We're starting a culture where game attenders are posting, and that is v nice. Even if it's not all Linpositive note, it's better than listening to SAS. Nice tidbits for sure.

    On another note, we're starting to press for playoffs, and it's going to be fun.

    Last night, GSW v Spurs was really cool comeback, though I know it's not so cool for our standings. When Jarrett Jack was asked (post-game, on court version) how he came up with the big game, he said ... coach yelled at me ... to get to my spots, etc.

    Based on what seah joh said about Lin being too hard on himself on the bench last night, there might be competing voices in his head. Let the flow come (the Force, Luke). Maybe there's a sports psych thing where someone good can coach him to sort out his own internal voices vs the coach yelling thing. I loved how natural and powerful Jack's response was - every athlete should just focus on the challenge at hand, with the right voice in his head. His locker post game was v nice too. Wish Rox would have some more straight talk like that, so maybe that speaks to their culture too, in terms of back room stresses.

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  6. I was at the game last night with my husband and kids. My kids were in Jeremy gear. After they game, Jeremy crossed the court to come over to us, shake our hands, and thank us for wearing his stuff. He is truly a humble and kind person. My kids were shocked and excited!

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    1. Really cool!!!' wish he would shake my hands too if i see him in the game.i need to borrow someone's kids first.anyone willing???

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    2. Were you guys the white people in Lin gear at court side? I saw you guys on TV going crazy after each shot he made. Awesome!

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    3. lol, "were you guys the white people".

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    4. i would put it differently my man.

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    5. Didn't mean for it to come off like that lol.. Just want to make sure it was them, heheh

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    6. Yep that was us. And Lin fans come in all shapes, colors and sizes, despite what the haters think.:)

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  7. Even SAS said he is beginning to rethink his position on the Knicks letting Jeremy go. And Jared Max and Robin Lundberg of ESPN yesterday kept saying over and over on their show how upset they are that the Knicks did not re-sign Jeremy. At first when it happened, I thought it was not good for Jeremy but now it looks like it is all turning out well for Jeremy. His future is brighter in Houston.

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    1. What? SAS said that? When?

      I know people here dont like Stephen A., but, aside from his dissing of Lin, I like hearing his analysis, for both entertainment and substantive value.

      I'm glad finally NY media and fans are saying what they've believed all along, that Lin should still be a Knick. The early success of Felton/Knicks helped ease the pain, but, with the Knicks struggling and aging rapidly like Dorian Gray's painting, the anger at the Knicks' front office is probably going to become more vocal.

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    3. For it to be a true DG painting, Roberlin, Knicks would have to have a young person to live off of ... could it be? ... SA... (Church Lady :-)

      BTW, I liked what you say about Wall changing for Lin. I haven't followed NBA since old school says, until 2/4/12. Is that really true, that Lin has brought about a new look for PG? Maybe that's why I watch his games and find them the most teamwork fun. I also liked what you said about Irving. Makes sense to me. WIth complex offenses and defenses, teams need a type of PG what can QB and run. Like Colin Kap ...

      Another thought off topic of this post ... I'm getting more and more impressed with Harden the more team ball he's playing. When the stats line up with winning, like these days, or when people combine HardLin stats for best backcourt and that combines with winning, it really starts to make sense. Makes Morey a genius ...

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  8. Hi Everyone, I don't have a google account so I am using my husband's.My name is Rose, and I enjoy this blog! I went to the game last night. My kids were wearing Jeremy's jersey and we were cheering for him. At the end of the game, he walked all the way across the court to shake our hands and thank us for wearing his gear. My kids were shocked and so happy. He is an amazing , kind and wonderful young talent. We are "Off to see the Wizard"-s, and Houston play in DC. On the train now. :) I hope the Rockets and Jeremy have a great game. Woohoo!

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    1. Can i borrow your kids if and when i see his game live? Lol

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    2. Hee hee. I think JLin would shake your hand even if you didn't have kids. He is a cool dude. :)

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    3. Hi Rose, thank you so much for sharing your stories with us!

      You don't know that you are helping my effort to convince my wife to get my boys Jeremy's jerseys for our 3/9 game in Phoenix! :D

      Share your stories from the DC game tonight :)
      We'll be waiting full of anticipation.

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    4. I sure will! Lin is a great role model and inspiration. Tell your wife the jerseys are a good investment :)

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    5. Indeed, they truly are, Rose :)
      Have fun at the game tonight with the family!

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  9. We are sitting first row behing the Houston bench tonight. I will report back on any coaching insights. It is so frustrating that McHale benches Jeremy much longer than all the other starters. He was shooting and dishing well first quarter and after sitting for so long, his shot got cold. Ugh.

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    1. Yes, Lin got cold while sitting out Q3. However, I recall someone saying Lin played through the flu during the OKC game...

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    2. Hi AOL-29f... and Ms. Edward Mermelstein ... I always say to myself to post sparingly and maybe only once a day, but you all here have such interesting things to say.

      I love that you are going to be there 2 games.

      It's really nice that you invest in your family times and to let your kids have time with a great sports hero. When we were growing up, there were more pure sports heroes and I myself today wonder who I would spend time and money upholding for my kids.

      I kind of choke up to read that JLin understands 2 minutes extra for kids means a lot for a lifetime. We need more people in leadership positions to understand that, in a genuine sense, instead of a "well, you know, it's fine, everything will turn out ok ..." You know what I mean :-) ha ha. Or maybe the me me me thing.

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    4. Thank you Rose, love your positive energy! Have fun tonight.

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  10. Wizards on a tear, with Post John Wall going 10-9
    http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/02/22/wizards-wittman-chasing-500/?ls=iref:nbahpts

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  11. Cool! Another game today.

    Uncool - it's a back to back road game against a dangerous Wizards team that just beat the Nuggets, and Lin, Harden, and Parsons are gonna play with tired legs.

    If Houston can pull a victory out, bonus.

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    1. both teams are playing back to back. SO its pretty equal.

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    2. But Rockets playing shorthanded third straight game.

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  12. Harden said, "Talent, which is what we need. He's doing a good job of leading, definitely by example … He's making shots, making plays. He's doing everything."

    Harden just proclaimed that Jeremy is a talented leader who leads by example. (I bet he remembered how Jeremy threw himself on the floor trying to save the ball last night, drew offensive charges, helping on defense, and making plays for his teammates)

    Harden and Lin are the rare, humble, unselfish leaders in the NBA. Which players wouldn't want to play with them in Houston?

    If there were small bets that Houston will win championship in the next 5 years, I'd be glad to take them.

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    1. I know most non-Lin fans would find what I'm about to say totally ludicrous, but,

      I think if OKC was Durant-Harden-LIN instead of Durant-Harden-Westbrook for the next few years, the Lin OKC would do better than the Westbrook OKC. That's because Lin would make Durant a better player, making him less a jump shooter and increasing his points in the paint.

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    2. There's no question. Lin will be far more efficient, is less selfish, and plays better defense. That team would kill.

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    3. Yes, absolutely. We can just imagine how Ibaka, Sefolosha and even Perkins would finish Lin's passes like Tyson Chandler did!

      I don't think Westbrook would ever Lin's court vision or perhaps the willingness to defer to Durant. Charles Barkley always question the defensive rotation and shot selection by Westbrook at the end of the game.

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    4. This is a great fantasy team ... Morey is pretty creative too!

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    1. I find it bizarre that you think this is an objective view of Lin.

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    3. Here is why I think it is an objective and honest opinion of Lin:

      1) Lin’s first 57 games as a Rocket, however, suggest Houston knew it could benefit more from Lin than almost any other team. The Rockets’ up-tempo offense, along with their commitment to spreading the floor around the pick-and-roll, fits Lin’s skills wonderfully. The result is not exactly Linsanity redux, but he is developing into a point guard who could be a factor in the N.B.A. for years to come.

      2)It is a complicated role for Lin. He not only has to be aggressive at all times, but also has to know how and when to get out of the way and let Harden run the show. Lin’s role parallels the one Derek Fisher once occupied with the Lakers next to Kobe Bryant, though the teams’ playing styles are much different. Lin must steady the offense while also regularly yielding control of it.

      3) Lin is no longer front and center, in contrast to his days with the Knicks, when he was free to dribble all over the court for large chunks of the shot clock. But Houston’s offense is difficult to contain because so many of its players have license to play the primary ball handler on any possession. Four of the Rockets who started in Friday’s win over the Nets can handle the ball like a guard on fast breaks or in the half court.

      4)Lin is in an offensive system that suits him, but it is not all on him to carry the Rockets, who are 31-26 and eighth in the Western Conference. It is a good situation for Lin, who actually played shooting guard throughout most of his college career and is still developing as a floor general. Though his statistics may not overwhelm, there are signs that he is improving.

      5) What Lin does best is beat his man off the dribble, and this season he is shooting at a much higher percentage near the rim. But Lin’s jump shot remains a weakness. He is a relatively poor spot-up shooter, and being so right-hand dominant, Lin tends to settle for long 2-point jump shots when he goes to his left.

      If Lin develops a reliable jump shot, which is what fueled his phenomenal run with the Knicks, he can become a consistently dangerous player.

      6)After so many polarized predictions by N.B.A. observers on whether Lin would be a star or a bust, his ending up somewhere in the middle is almost surprising. A year after Linsanity, the engine of last season’s most thrilling moments has found a home as a cog in this season’s most exciting team.


      Those are the main points of the article. They point out the bad and the good so I think it is an objective article so far of Lin regardless of how we fans who love him sees him. We often sees Lin as fans through tinted glasses. He still needs improvement and consistency is what he needs to improve on the most.

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    4. I agree with Michael Terry that this is just another biased article.

      Any article that says that Lin cannot ever be a star goes into the "Whatever" bin for me.

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    5. The author though wrong by saying he has already hit the ceiling just south of stardom, but he flat out says that Lin is between a bust and a star, which is he is what he is at this point. Lin even admits he needs to be more consistent with his play and improve on his game. We all would like to see him become elite one day, but right now he is what he is. How he improves or the path he takes to stardom has to be mainly be on him and nobody else.

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    6. I feel the conclusion that he is between a bust and a star is just....meaningless....who is not?

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  14. I think the part where Michael Terry is confused is where the article says his ceiling is just south of stardom. This is an overly harsh assessment in my opinion. I expect him to be an all star within the next couple of years.

    In addition, the article ends by saying he has turned out to be between a bust and a star. Perhaps in the first half of the season. ... but not now.

    Over the past year, the one thing that I have really noticed is how people continually underestimate his ability to improve and he keeps proving them wrong.

    I am confused why so many smart people seem to think that he has already reached his ceiling.

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    1. The key is to NOT assume that a person is "smart" just because he writes for the NY times or works for the NBA!

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  15. To the person that said that Lin said Hi to your kids. Was this you?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffl9a0-qZf8

    Right at the end of the game you see Lin in the top left corner going to some red jerseys.

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    1. Wow, JP, that's a good find. I saw Rose's family in the highlights too ... you can see them just under the score graphic in the 2nd half, raising their arms and clapping with each LJin highlight ... in the foreground given the HOU bench was across the court. I think there was one Rocket 7 and 2 Knicks 17s.

      Rose - how fun you've made this, to put some social share vids to life!

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    2. Only if you are a creep, Etane :-)

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    3. I like the mandarin commentary on this video. "Ni fang pi!"

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  17. Ha ha. I will checkout the youtube link but I am sure it is us. We were given those amazing seats by a friend who is a season ticket holder. He loves Jeremy too, but he knows how much it meant to my kids (and me too! :)

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