I will let the wise words of torocan sooth your fears. The most reasonable Lin fan I know (after me if course=p.
"Lin, Delfino and Parsons had a rough game offensively. They had decent games defensively... well, as good as you can expect when you're asking to guard Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli.
Asik was actually very good covering Tim Duncan... a pleasant surprise considering how beastly TD has been as of late.
Tonight was pretty much Harden's show, though Beverley gave some really good minutes and made a few key plays down the stretch.
All in all, I'm more impressed by the team's overall defensive effort. Keeping the Spurs to 98 was very impressive. The offense is going to be what we've seen, IE, one of the best offenses in the NBA.
I like to consider that despite multiple cold shooters and a lot of fouls, we STILL scored 99 points AND got a win against one of the top contenders in the NBA. That's a real and tangible change from a lot of our other games."
Thanks all, the question was post rhetorically as there were just too many negative sentiments in the last thread. I'm in the Bamboo, Soliz camp when it come to accepting Lins playing minutes overall, esp when he struggled with his shots and aggressiveness, and TOs.
But still like to hear what the usual posters have to say as they can break down the Lin's game for us in their eyes as well, with their unique basketball knowledge that some of us, like myself don't always have, and just resort to sentiments.
No question in my mind opposing teams plan for Harden more than Lin. Clearly, Harden is the untouchable man in Rockets and has everyone's respect. Whether Rockets can go further than make playoff -- which is a great accomplishment for them this year -- without involving Lin and giving him more freedom, that remains to be seen. But no question in my mind that Lin is being treated as 4th or 5th most important player in Rockets. Whether I like it or not, that much is clear.
I noticed that in the 2nd half game thread, a lot of people having the delusion that its a genius move by McHale to take Lin out of the game not closing the 4th quarter because they think that Lin "played poorly".
The way I see it was McHale is just doing what we have been doing many times this season. The refs started to repeatedly cheating on Lin giving him fouls and McHale is not using him much offensively anyway so might as well take him out of the game completely
IIRC, Jeremy played whole fourth quarter up to that point, so he might have been tired.
If he had been able to contain Parker, he probably would have stayed in, but tonight Parker got the best of his (Jeremy being outshines a bit by one of the best point guards isn't necessarily a condemnation of him,he is just young and doesn't have all of that NBA veteran savvy yet).
Patrick Bevereley played really well tongiht so I give him kudos.
I don't think Jeremy's starter position is at any risk at all, though, because Beverley is not the playmaker Jeremy is.
I am just happy that we stole this victory, because it puts alot of pressure on Warriors to also steal a game they weren't expected to win.
I don't Lin played poorly; he just wasn't the difference maker on court he can often be.
Rockets won, they played good defense (look at box score for shooting percentages of starters), so I am happy.
Also good for James's ego to bask in all of the glory till Wednesday, with Lin just fading quietly into background (hopefully that makes him unselfish in future tight game where he NEEDS Jeremy to step up and help him close out game).
@Joe, On the previous thread, you said "This game also shows that James is a foundational superstar that can create when everything is locked down, jeremy can not"
If James is not on court, and it's just Jeremy on court with other Rockets, unless they are shooting absolutely lights out from three, or Spurs are turning over ball like crazy and Rockets getting out in transition a ton, then yes, Jeremy is not going to be able to break down a great defense like Spurs by himself.
You have a shot blocker preventing Jeremy from freely driving to basket, and Popovich can have defense shut down all his passing options and dare Lin to beat them single-handedly with his jump shot.
I really don't think that would have worked tonight.
James can bull his way into defense and force contact to get to free throw line (unless refs not calling anything).
Fact that Jeremy is not a foundational superstar all by himself is not an insult.
Hopefully he is the incremental difference maker that can bring Rockets, led by James and Jeremy, a few championships in upcoming years.
Thanks, Joe. If i understand you correctly, the missing link for Jeremy to become a foundational superstar is his lacking of eurostep to the rim and get foul calls from the refs?
I honestly don't think will ever be considered a super star in the classic sense.
His talents are more elusive and team focused.
Remember when Jeremy didn't get picked up in draft, he said his talents don't show up in individual skills tests or even three on three.
Other coaches who have watched him extensively also said you have to watch him over time, not just a snap shot, to appreciate what he brings to game.
Like always, I use the Eli Manning vs Peyton Manning type analogy. Lin doesn't have a cannon for an arm and he just doesn't put up those individual super star numbers. Eli Manning is never put on best quarterback list, and I think he was mocked when he was asked whether he considered himself elite and he said he thinks so.
Jeremy will be the same, because his real talents (field sense and elite passing ability) just don't scream individual super star.
He just wins...
I personally don't want a carbon copy of Linsanity 1.0.
I strongly prefer the continued evolution of Linsanity 2.0 (elite passer, floor general, Mr. Fourth Quarter along with James) to what we all fondly remember from last year with the Knicks.
If Jeremy doesn't become a foundational superstar sooner than later, his NBA career won't go far, imho. Evidently, his skillset isn't being appreciated in Houston and he's stuck here for at least another year, which by then, he's already 26. He's constantly crictised by and received no love from fans. If he doesn't change, i'm afraid he will never ever be voted into all-star as he wishes.
A lot of players reach their prime when they are 26. Lin is just in a tough situation right now because he has to defer to Harden and even Parsons, not to mention he has bigs that can barely finish or run the pick n Roll effectively. DMo had some chemistry with Lin, until he is expected to keep jacking up 3's. We will see what Lin becomes next year when his current teammates have more experience and possibly a better big up front who can actually catch and finish Lin's passes.
What if all his teammates simply can't catch and finish his paases? With Morey's trading pattern, players come and go to no end it seems, it's hard for Jeremy to build chemistry with new teammates, yet Jeremy has to rely on his teammates to succeed? I don't want to sound too critical of Jeremy. Maybe I just don't understand bball too well as you guys do...
Some of his teammates can but they are limited on offense. Both Greg Smith and DMo have effectively shown that they can catch and finish with Lin. Although great on defense, Asik still has ways to go before he becomes a offensive threat. He's had problems catching even in Chicago and attempts reverse layups right under the basket. I don't think it's hard for Lin to build chemistry with new teammates, but it's hard to build chemistry with teammates who don't fit your style of play. But again, the Rockets are a very young team, Delfino was one of the oldest players and most experienced when he got there in the beginning of the season.
Super Lintendo - Jeremy's favorite Lin pun, chatting with you is like chatting with Jeremy himself... :)
I can see the "predicament" Jeremy is in currently. No qualms with Jeremy slowly but surely building chemistry with his teammates. I actually feel that Jeremy should(can I use this word, sounds too tyranical) transform himself into a foundational superstar instead of hinging his success on his teammates' development.
"Doc Scheppler has coached in Bay Area high schools for 34 years. He first saw Lin as a scrawny eighth-grader. But even then, “he had the ability to see the floor, make the right decision, make the correct angle pass. And that is just not done at 13, 14 years old.”
Yes, I agree with you, Joe. I mean, if only Jeremy can have both traits, he can score at will - a scoring superstar and simultaneously, unselfishly make his teammates better, and win games. Ultimately, I want to hear fans chanting Jeremy Lin, the Superstar, Jeremy Lin, the MVP.
JaneLin7, then brace yourself for more bumps in the road and struggles. We all want to see Linsanity or Lin the superstar, but given the current circumstances it's going to take time for that to happen. Even Tony Parker said that it took time to play for a ball dominant guard like Ginobili as well, albeit Poppovich had more faith in Parker.
Lin is a valumn shooter but they expect him to shoot 8 shots and make 6 to average double digits. Lin is getting of much weak picks, might as well not set it. Harden's picks are half ass also. It's set to get him the ball and not to make a play.
Not sure if my comment got deleted in the previous thread as a result of a glitch... I saw it once, then I didn't see it, etc. All I wanted to say is that had Mchale kept Lin in the entirety of the 4th quarter I also would have seen that as a legitimate choice. But since Beverly played so well, I just can't see the choice of keeping him in during the 4th as blasphemous considering how well Beverly was playing on both offense and defense and considering the Rocket's ended up with a W against an elite team. I'm totally cool if people disagree with; this is just how I see it. Anyways, the game is over. The Rocket's will probably get to the playoffs. We'll get to see Lin play in the playoffs. This is a good thing. At least to me.
I would be against it. Bev hasn't proven to me that he can play as well as he can over the course of more minutes. Nobody can deny that his defense is very impressive. The guy's like the energizer bunny. However, I'm not convinced he can keep that up more than he does and I think Lin is a better overall player. So no, I wouldn't be cool with Beverly taking the starting position. But let's not turn this into Bev already has that because he doesn't: He doesn't average nearly as many minutes.
When feasible, I actually prefer Jeremy off ball on defense, guarding opposing player who often spots up in one of corners.
Allows Jeremy to see all of action in front of him and sort of play free safety.
That is how Coach Musselman often played him in D-League, and that worked out pretty well for Jeremy (sterling defensive rating I believe is because Jeremy took away possessions from other team, via rebounds, steals, charges, or deflections he didn't officially get credited for):
Yes Cara.. that's exactly right. Manu has earned his coach's trust. Lin has not.
I think this is what we'll see for the rest of the season and the playoffs. IMO, no matter how well Lin plays from herein and out, Lin will be judged by his in game performance every single game. If he plays like he did today, u can bet McHale will be looking to replace him rather than to have him find himself out of it.
My question is what will happen next year? Will adding another superstar make him more dispensable? Will Lin find himself further down the pecking order? That is what I'm more worried about.
I don't think people should over react to this game. Lin had a bad game, which is going to happen to young players in their first season being a starter. I actually thought Lin played very well defensively except for bad calls in the 4th that went against him. Be glad the Rockets won this game as this further increases the chances for the Rockets making the playoffs which will be invaluable experience for Lin's career.
His inconsistencies in his game are still showing especially with teams that play good defense like the Spurs. Almost all of it comes down to his willingness to take the open jumper. This showed even in the Cleveland game where defenders are waiting for him at the rim to block his shot.
I feel like if Lin misses his first few shots he quickly goes away from taking the open jumper and tries to force his way to the rim when there is a big waiting for him. I wasn't that impressed with his game against Utah as I think their interior defense is just bad. He has the most success when he's taking the outside jumpshot and he shouldn't get discourage from early misses.
"he [Lin] shouldn't get discourage from early misses.
I know.... Lin gets afraid because of the way the coaching staff treats him. Afraid to make mistakes; afraid to miss shots, when 50% is considered great and when Harden, Parsons or everybody else aren't afraid. Portland's Lillard or Batum and all other good shooters aren't afraid either. I've seem them (as well as Harden) shoot very poorly and then score the winning shot. Lin's confidence is the problem with his biased coaches.
Have you guys see that McHale put Lin with Bev together today? I haven't seen that for a while. i thought together, the defense was good, although i didn't like the fact that Bev was bringing up the ball, almost making Lin the shooting guard
Yeah McHale was saying that he is trying to limit Hayden's time (according to Jonathan feign) . Perhaps we will see more if this ( bev as pg, Lin as sg) in the near future as it worked pretty well tonight.
Lin should've do more of the crossover step back jumper he did on gernobili. It was in motion and a swish with a high arch.
Lin was taken out for a few reasons, he got blocked on a lay up which he probably should've used his right hand instead and the missed shot on a mismatch. He arched it too high that time. The other reason is he got scored on a few times by parker.
He should've attacked Parker but again he's on a short leash so he might get pulled If he missed.
Being a good teammate and a leader, harden should run some plays for Lin. Not saying that he has to but by doing so it means that he trusts Lin and will bring his confidence up. Part of being a good leader in my opinion. Remember during linsanity he always give credit to his teammates. It's that trust level that gives everyone confidence.
Why aren't Harden or Parsons taken out when they play badly? Harden shot a miserable 6-16 this game and Parsons missed a lot of threes. Do you see them getting yanked for one or two bad plays? Never!! They get mulligans and are never accountable!! Parsons played 45 mins this game and he fucked up many times including no defense or rebounding!! Harden was too selfish the whole game but he doesn't get yanked like Lin and Harden played 40 mins today!! Lin makes one or two subpar plays and he gets benched no matter what and he only played a measly 26 mins!!! Don't you get it through your head, he simply is not valued by his coaches and is disrespected time and again!! When will you wake up and smell the coffee--this is not changing with the Rockets. He needs to ask for a trade at the end of this season for his sanity and his Linsanity!!!
My rant wasn't to justify his benching or agreeing with his usage. Fact of the matter is he is in a bad situation that he must make he best. Honestly asking for a trade may not be the best thing to do. Don't think his trade value is there given his situation. You and I see this value but most people just look a box scores.
Against a good defensive team like the Spurs, Lin will not be able to score at the basket because they have good shot blockers. Duncan and Splitter are both 7 footers so Lin needs to make his jump shots especially when he is open. The defense is going to tighten up even more in the playoffs and it will be very difficult to score in the paint.
Excuse me but Lin scored 38 against the Spurs in a previous game so what you say makes no sense. He drove at will in that game and finished with a lot of layups.
IIRC, Lin was blazing red hot from three that game (I want to say 7/8, but I don't think he was that hot).
How repeatable is that on a consistent basis?
Nice to know that he has the talent and capability for that type of offensive outburst, but I don't think you build a team's offense around Jeremy Lin's jump shot.
Op is right. I have noticed that Lin struggles mightily on offense against teams with shot blockers. He needs to trust his j like harden and parson do. He hesitated a lot with taking jump shots and then not doing much if snything when he fakes and gets in the lane. Such indecision makes him look bad and scared.
Yeah he did but he was also on fire from the outside so Parker or whoever was guarding him had to play close which would allow the offensive player to beat the defender off the dribble. The bigs for the Spurs didn't rotate quick enough to stop Lin. This game Lin tried to drive in against Diaw who he should be able to beat easily but instead got his shot rejected. Diaw knew Lin was struggling from the outside so he was ready for Lin's drive to the basket.
Lin is too nice of a guy to say any negative comments about the coach. I really like to hear the private conversation between McHale and Lin? Although i don't know if they really communicate much. I really do miss D'Antonio. If Lin is in the Laker team, I am sure he will fire up his teammate, not like the current squad
Beverly was being poliically correct and didn't want to say what he was thinking.
And agreed, Lin needs to stop being such a "nice guy" and be more ruthless and selfish in the sense of playing HIS game and looking for his shot.
In the NBA, nice guys not only finish last, they get elbowed in the head, shoved in the back to the ground, and mocked as having a "ridiculous contract."
Even more relevant, Lin plays his best when he plays with a chip on shoulder with nothing to lose.
JLin needs to play mean with "f*ck you" attitude towards not only his opponents but also anyone else that stands in his way (including Kevin McHale).
That's the only thing that the brutal ruthless world of the NBA respects.
The sooner that JLin understands this reality and behaves accordingly, the better.
As Phil Jackson once put it "This is the NBA: No Boys Allowed."
But to my surprise, Lin didn't look too disappointed at all in the pg I terview.. I think he is just happy they won.
To me, it looked like he was so out of rhythm in the first half ( mostly due to not touching the ball) that he played the rest of the game like he didn't want to be the reason for the loss. Maybe he was almost relieved that he didn't play the key stretch and agreed with mchake's decision to stick with bev.
well Jeremy is the guy who puts his team first, rather than his stats. he won't feel bad that he didn't do much anything this game because they won vs a top seeded and consistent Spurs. I'm not happy with this win with my LOF kicking overdrive lol
To me, it looked like he was so out of rhythm in the first half ( mostly due to not touching the ball) that he played the rest of the game like he didn't want to be the reason for the loss. Maybe he was almost relieved that he didn't play the key stretch and agreed with mchake's decision to stick with bev"
I hope that was not Lin's attitude. If it was, that's very troubling. That's the attitude of a D-league scrub who is just grateful to be on the team, not of someone who thinks he deserves to be on the court at crunch time.
And it's an attitude that does not portend future success.
Ixy well said. I also agree. It is not unchristian to be ruthless in competitive sports.,. If u look at all the great players (MJ Kobe even lebron) they all had I'm the best attitude which Jeremy clearly lacks.
Was there any player like Jeremy who achieved greatness by supporting everyone and always taking the humility, self deprecating approach? I think this may ultimately be his biggest downfall.
Lin is just a team player and put his ego aside after he broke his ankle in High School. Also, Lin hasn't been in the same situation as Kobe, Lebron, or Michael because all those guys were catered to since high school. Even on the Lakers, he might be just as passive when talking about games like this.
come on @Solidz75. His off court demeanor and his on court demeanor are different. I do see his swagger when he turns it on. He just didn't get the opportunity too much today. He just had an off day. I do like to see his TOs to come down, especially the ones that didn't have much pressure. I think McHale's problem with Lin in my mind is his TOs.
In NY, Lin said that he liked the ball at the end of the games, when it mattered most. Why would he look to defer to Bev and be OK with sitting on the bench now? He's not. He's a fierce competitor. He's not an idiot.
Personally, I think McHale just doesn't think Lin is as good as we might all think he is, especially when he makes the PG defer right away when he crosses half-court. Harden is the franchise player that's going to get paid max, while Lin is still considered the inexperienced PG with a full season as a starter under his belt. I bet McHale didn't like Lin getting that contract either! lol It's easier to undermine a player like that.
What I remember from Lin's early days is that he was so afraid to mess up that he was scared to get called into the game during golden state years.
I think Mchale, unlike dantoni, is creating an envt where Jeremy is becoming too scared to make mistakes. Such type of atitude doesn't just disappear.
I wonder what Jeremy would've said if someone asked him if he agreed with McHale's decision to go with Beverly. By the way he looked in the pg interview and how he was pointing out his deficiencies (look, he wasn't that bad in the second half) I would say he agrees. Am I wrong?
I strongly disagree, Lin could try to force the issue even more but the question is will it jeopardize the team chance to win? If Lin keep playing until the end of 4th quarter attacking and defending hard to close the game, I think the Rockets will lose about 6 points or more. The refs will just kept on cheating and even foul Lin out of the game, those fouls will give the spurs a lot of bonus which is a huge advantage at the end game.
K smith, that is what is frustrating. Bev played well but Jeremy picked it up in the second half. The Rox didn't win because of bev. if anyone was crucial it was Omer. But ur eyes see what u want to see. I love how McHake doesn't even hesitate to pull Lin after one mistake.
My problem with Lin is that he appear to think that he deserves to sit when things are not going his way (ir shots). He still contributed .. With 6 assists and 2 steals!
With a rookie, d leaguer attitude like that McHale won't think twice about sitting him. Lin needs to believe that he is essential part of the team and he gives the Rox the BEST chance to win. If he doesn't, how do u expect McHale to believe that.
Lin needs to stop this being a nice guy routine and act angry and somewhat like an asshole and be selfish because he does not deserve this kind of treatment. He can be one of the greatest guards of all time. I'm not kidding. He needs to call a meeting with McHale and demand he be respected as a player and tell him he doesn't appreciate being treated like shot and that he's a star and if he doesn't play 40 mins a game he wants out next yer and to trade him. Play me or trade me is what Lin needs to tell that fucker MvHale. Such a superb talent being wanted on the bench--unfucking believable that cocksucker McHale gets away with it. If Lin doesn't get the minutes he can't shine, it's as simple as that!!!
Spencer, word. I think a lot of us are up in arms because he doesn't get the fair opportunities to sine. It is too late in the year to still be having this conversation.
Lin's humility in the end will be downfall. U can be as humble as u want if your coach recognizes your talents but with McHale, he manipulates it as a weakness and places Lin in a crappy situation.
I am happy that Rockets are closer to the playoff and that means that Lin will have his 1st playoff experience. But, yup it sucks that Lin didn't contribute much in this game.
Yeah hopefully Lin will play much better next game. It's all good when he doesn't play well and they still win, but when he plays like this and they lose then the blame will be on him.
Yes, I'm glad Lin has a chance to play 20 minutes during the playoffs while Beverely will play the entire 4th quarter. Hopefully if that happens Lin plays amazingly well while the Rockets and Beverly fall flat on their faces.
Yes I'm a LOF. The Rockets are a shitty franchise, I'm just waiting for Lin to play well, get some recognition and play on an exciting team.
people should stop the LOF joke here. it is not funny. how can i be happy when jeremy had a bad game. In postseason what role jeremy will play for this team? we'll see.
i have to admit that i was much happier last week to see the rockets get blown out, yet lin had a great game against the warriors, than to see the rockets win tonight with lin having a subpar game.
Looking forward, GSW has some easier games than Rox, so anyway, we'll prob have a harder first round because of those unnecessary losses along the way everybody knows about. Lin is in and it'll be a good run.
Think this win put a bit of pressure on Warriors to win a game they weren't expected to win (IIRC, before this victory, 5 losses down stretch for Rockets and 5 losses for Warriors means tie record and Rockets win tie breaker).
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen 47m No. RT @PoolManBlake: @Jonathan_Feigen is Beverly threatening the starting spot?
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen 42m Now. Now. Settle down. Not even close. RT @PoolManBlake: @Jonathan_Feigen this has that dragon Lowry feeling a little bit.
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen 3m Sometimes, but likely rarely. MT @Oclark38: @jonathan_feigen That was the play of the game. Do you envision Beverly being the closer at PG.
1) It was decent, Parsons and Harden were also missing tons of shot early on. They were both around 4-11 at one point.
2) Yes and I would argue better than Beverley, but PB got hot in the 1st half and made all his FG shots. Lin had 3 TOs and was deferring a lot in the 1st half.
i saw the 4th quarter. lin played great defense on parker, but the refs would cheat him by calling bogus fouls. replays showed that lin stayed in front of parker and made no contact on two foul calls. there was one play where duncan went straight to the hoop untouched and uncontested, missed the layup but got a foul call on delfino. you can read delfino's lips "i never touched him!" on the other end, the ref was helping harden get to the line as well.
Just saw the game on LP knowing the outcome. Lin did great and D on Parker, and didn't get a few calls. It was McHale's right to trade out, but Parker was heating up and they already switched Parsons. It was like an 8-0 run and either you call a time out or make some changes.
I thought Lin had an amazing 3rd quarter with good choices, dishes, and D. Watch it yourself - he had a good game, within the Rox system. Numbers didn't show because he missed a few, but we won by 1 and I saw many choices Lin made where he could have shot a 2 and gave it to folks on the 3, mostly missing. One though, Del3 put in, so you could say Lin did his part and it was a team win. I'm sure coaching knows this, so anyway, hope that helps. It's great Rox won one that wasn't easy.
Speaking for myself... I begin to appreciate whatever team Lin is on. When he was on the Knick's, I'd start to appreciate certain players on the Knicks like Shumpert. Now that he's on the Rocket's I begin to appreciate certain players like Harden, Parson's, Delfino, etc. So I'm a fan like Lin's a player. Lin makes players around him better, but he also makes me get into whatever team he's playing for.
Problem is harden and Lin doesn't have hat connection yet. Lin knows hardens tendencies but can't say that about harden. Matter of fact Lin knows everyone's tendencies but not harden. That's why he's not a good point guard and you see stagnant in offense when he holds on to the ball. His go to moves are iso, drive in no look bounce pass to Asik which is 50/50, and swing it when help defense is closing
Lin has to shoot well regardless! All great players shoot well open or contested! The refs are cheating on him. The coaches don't let him play to his strength as a PG. He has to make shots even he goes other team! The way Rockets play him is disappointed, but he controls his destiny! He just has to be better and better. Seriously, work yourself hard this off-season! Limit those Asian trips! Let's show them in next Pacer game!
No way Lin is going to limit the Asian trips. He's too much of a star in Taiwan, and his fan base still has ways to grow in China. He actually extended his Asia trip this past summer and Lin likes to preach "The Word of God". He did all that in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc.
The NBA, Nike Volvo, and other future endorsements want to also milk that Asia money. Rockets are also going to be taking a pre-season trip to Taiwan and the Philippines next season.
Only way Lin limits his Asia trips, is if he ends up playing for Team USA in 2014 or for some reason decides to play for Taiwan at this year's FIBA Asia Championship (which I think he won't since Taiwan doesn't won't win either way).
Rockets probably get bounced out of the playoffs by May. Lin went to Asia around August last season, so he'll have 2-3 months to train. He apparently did that in Asia as well, but hopefully this time he won't be coming off surgery.
lol so just because you don't like their comments, they are suddenly trolls?
Jenny obviously made that comment out of concern, while the response was simply why he wouldn't. There's pros and cons to both sides and if people want to talk about the Asia trip, who cares.
Niu Baller, the topic have been brought out too often from time to time rebutted over and over again. Jeremy trained up to 5 hours a day everyday when he was on the trip and during most of the season even though recovering from knee injury. What I personally don't like is coming out saying like Jeremy was slacking off and make the association that trips to Asia is bad. So not only slander Jeremy's work ethic but also seems to slander Asian fans, seems troll enough to me
I don't think that was Jenny's intention. I don't think she was trolling, more like she wasn't aware that it's been debated. I also don't see how it's slandering the "Asian fans". Even if it has been debated, 5 hours of training isn't going to be the same as it would be in the USA. His Sparta training certainly isn't located in Asia nor would he able to compete against NBA level players on a daily basis, which he did during the lockout.
She brings up a fair point but a point that's better left for discussion in the off-season.
I'm glad the Rockets got the win, but it's too bad that McHale's strategy of benching Lin at the end of the game seems justified. I have no problem with coaches benching players for performance/effort as long as they apply it fairly to all players, no double standards or favorites. Obviously, McHale does not apply his rules equally to all his players (for example, Harden has more turnovers/minute than Lin, but McHale will call out Lin for TOs but never Harden).
Anyways, I thought Lin played a decent game (even if the box score doesn't show it) and did not deserve to be pulled at the end of the game.
At this point, I'm starting to believe that the trade for Thomas Robinson and Garcia was meant to tank the Rockets for this season. If Morris and Patterson were on the team, the Rockets would much better. TRob is clearly undersized and I don't see his upside yet if there is one.
Two of Lin's TOs involved either getting the ball from DMo or getting the ball to him. All season long Lin has been trying to get the bigs, Asik and DMo, involved and it's coming back to haunt him.
I do see the passing to big man early on, especially to DMo, sometimes he does the kick out to DMo on the corner 3. He did defer a lot more today, A few of the shots, I wish he would just take them.
Rockets are not really a championship contender, so the front office's tactics are to buy players cheap and trade them for a profit (hopefully to buy a superstar in later years).
PP and Morris were showcased and DMo was kept away from other managers' eyes by constant benching. Now it's DMo's turn to be showcased, also Parsons' handles are so poor he can do nothing much except convert points from set ups.
Omer has been fed shots under the paint by Lin in particular (only he has the best bounce pass or no-look pass for Asik to be presented the perfectly weighted ball with protective critical space from defenders) in an attempt to win MIP - which increases his trade value. In a real championship contender team, he'd be a good backup centre.
Also, the big centres Asik and DMo need to convert, otherwise opposing teams will block up the driving lanes or double team Lin and Harden with impunity.
CF trolls laughing at Lin for not being able to contain Parker in the fourth. This is like rubbishing a 100m relay runner for not being able to contain Usain Bolt in his segment.
Secondly Spurs contain Harden by double teaming or have monsters in the paint. The commentators even said Delfino was at the end of one of Parker's run but was of not much help to Lin.
Beverly did well in his role but starting PG instead of Lin? LOL WTF SMEH and WEP - wide eyes popping!
They just want to reverse the status quo back. More than a year ago, people would be like "x asian american PG did well in his role but starting PG instead of y african american PG? LOL WTF SMEH and WEP - wide eyes popping!
It actually make sense because it actually did happened before Linsanity and still going on even until now. Social media really helped brought out the dumbest and worst of people
I am very hook on the Rockets games lately, just to see how Lin does. I can't wait to see him in the playoff. People remember the players's performance during the playoffs. It would show their clutch and mental toughness. I hope Lin will have a good playoff experience.
People talked about Lin's poor shooting %, please! Lin had so few shot attempts in so few minutes that he never had the chance to improve that % in game that his % really didn't reflect his true game.
Take a look at Parsons. He started off 0/4 at 3 point shooting and at one point 4/11 at overall shooting. Also the man he guarded Leonard scored something like 12 points in 15 minutes at one point. His final shooting % and total points were obtained because he played 45 minutes and could finally find his touch and maybe law of average finally kicked in after so many minutes and touches.
If Parsons got pulled after a few misses and missed assignments just like Lin, you really think he would have got the stats he got?!
All this talk about how Lin isn't capable of carrying a team like Harden is so unbelievable. How soon we forget linsanity or the 38 points he put up on the Spurs by himself without Harden to "help" him.
Mchale believes in Harden and Parsons, so everything is made to taylor to them. He believes in his STARS to run his offense and trusts them even when they are shooting much lower percentage than Lin.
Some of you have said that trust is earned, well Lin has been trending upwards each month and even after 3 games of stellar play he isn't given the trust that Mchale's stars get. He has one bad mistake, one bad game and he is a scrub again. The truth is that Lin is being mind f@#ked by Mchale.
The game with the Spurs he had a shot to win the game, but Mchale didn't give him the green light like D'antoni did when Lin sank the 3 to win the game against Toronto. I can tell you from personal experience that when you are in the zone, it only takes a slight bit of doubt to take you out of it. The out come of that Spurs game could have been a win instead of a loss had Lin been given the trust to play and remain in the zone like he was.
John Wooden is one of my favorite coaches. One of my favorite quotes from him is that good coaches learn to adjust to his players and never expects that everyone of his players will adjust to him. As a Christian himself, faith and trust in his players was an extension of his beliefs. His success in coaching was in part due to his ability to instill good values and strong character in his players.
The Denver, Memphis and Indiana don't depend on stars, they play as a team. The Houston fans are being sold a lot of sizzle. harden will not get to shoot all the fouls shots he gets once the playoffs begin because the refs will try not determine the outcome of the game. Without Lin attacking the rim, they have no one else on the team that can create shots. The Rox will be relegated to shooting low percentage well contested 3s.
Call it stubborn by coach or call it an unwritten rule among most nba teams. Even if Lin shot 10/10 and Harden was 1/10, the ball would still go to Harden in crunch time because Harden is regarded as the max salary star while Lin is regarded as a middle salary role player.
It's not just the Rockets either. It happened to many teams.
I have stated in the past that athletes must have a delusional perception of what they are capable of. A sports psycologist once interviewed a collegiate player who was a 50% shooter who was having a horrible game, making nothing all night. Somehow his team still managed to have the last shot to win the game. His coach wanted to give the ball to one of the other players. This player immediately protested and insisted in taking the last shot. He made the shot and won the game. When asked by the sports psycologist how he could know he could make that shot when he didn't make a thing all night, the player said that since he is a 50% shooter, he just knew he was due to make the next one because the odds were in his favor. The sports psycologist asks him, what if he was making everything that night already, would he have still asked for the ball at the end? The athlete replied that when he is hot, he expects that he'll be in the zone until the end of the game.
This is how Harden thinks., it is totally illogical and delusional but great athletes believe in creating their own destiny. They BELIEVE in order to change reality to their own making. This is the reason why great coaches must instill faith in their players because it is too easy for the player to be dislodge from their own self belief in the heat of battle.
As a fan of Lin, I know that his reality is being created by his own coaching staff to instill doubt. I ask that all of us support Lin with our own delusional belief in him.
I remember reading about this in this forum before. Thanks for reminding me. Good point. Sometimes the good athletes have a will to get the ball in the hole I am a big fan of Tiger Woods, when it counts the most, he has a way to will the golf ball into the hole to make the winning putt. MJ is similar in that way. I wish JLin can become that way one day. Although we did witness that in the Linsanity days in the game against the Raptors. I don't remember how many times I watch the replay
I know he is "playing for God" etc etc but sometimes just sometimes I wish he would just take matters into his own hands. Bump heads with the coach, ask for opportunities, scream at teammates that keeps dropping his passes and gets him TOs, etc.
I see this all the time at work: given two people with the same skills and same work ethics, the guy who actively pushes for more opportunities gets handed them while the guy who is passive gets passed up, because people simply assume they are happy at what they are doing, and the passive guy wonders why the active guy gets promoted faster than he does.
A leader takes charge, a follower just does what he's told. I sure hope Lin is taking matters into his own hands and not just happy with his 25m.
I think he should just play for himself, and stop with all this nice guy stuff. It's not getting him anywhere on and off the court. He should know why nice guys finish last, it's because everyone walks over them.
Whether you believe it or not , Jeremy Lin's life is a tapestry of all things (good and the bad , ups and downs , high and lows , name it...) , that will someday lead to a beautiful display of how the human spirit triumphed against all the odds. He is a work in progress. 'Just , we all wait and see..
Bob c, great point. But I also share Kenoshi's sentiments.
The question is not about us being high in Lin, but Lin believing and being high on himself. Also some may call it humility, I really didn't like Jeremy's everything is cool demeanor in the post game conference ...praising Bev while criticizing himself for having done nothing ( when in fact he did play much better in the second half). It almost seemed like Jeremy didn't disagree with mchake's decision to bench him at the end.
Jeremy should believe that he is an indispensable part if the team and should've been pissed at McHale for giving the team a less chance at winning by taking him out.
If he doesn't see himself that way and feels that he "deserves" to sit out 4th quarter if his shots are not falling then he will never become the player we hope him to be. Worse yet, he will continue to be treated like this and taken advantage of.
@ Kenoshi and unlimited I have been advocating for Lin to shoot the ball each time he gets a pass for a long time because I believe his "purpose" is to remain in the game as long as possible. To that end he must show case his own abilities in order to find another team should the Rox decide that they don't have any plans for him. I've been saying he should just shoot at least 15 times every game.
I have been called cynical, but it have recognized that his coach doesn't want him to be a PG that uses his creativity to make plays. Mchale wants his system to produce the shots. Lin needs to accept this fact and stop trying to set up his other teammates. His role on this team is to move without the ball, create space for himself and hope to get a pass to post up and shoot. Lin has to change that mindset and know what he is being asked to do and make use of the situation. Work on his post up shots and shoot once he gets the ball, without ever thinking about anything else. This isn't being a bad guy or even a selfish guy. Being a nice guy has nothing to do with accepting what he is being asked to do. In a way, Lin being unselfish is actually being selfish because he is doing what he wants and not what Mchale wants. As wrong as Mchale's system is, Lin must be a " good" team player and execute the coach's game plans.
Lin may feel guilty if he thinks that he is being selfish by just shooting. He is conflicted with what he is used to doing, just as your comment that he is being too nice a guy indicate that you too believe he is doing something wrong. In this case, he is being more selfsih if he tries to create shots for others because that is no longer his role. Lin is a shooting guard. He may feel that the coach is wrong and that it goes against everything in his inner belief of how to play basketball. Mchale wants Lin to be a robot like Beverly. Mchale just proved it tonight that his PG is just a robotic delivery boy for Harden.
Lin just needs to put up good enough numbers to find another team in a couple of years. Learn to post up and keep shooting until Mchale take him out. Just accept that his creativity is not needed by Mchale, only his shooting, so just shoot. Just clear your mind of any other responsibility and shoot.
@solidz75 I think lin's reaction is just Lin being Lin. I'm sure inside he is fuming. If you've played sports, you'll know that opponents that play head games with you can really get under your skin. I've gotten so mad that I try too hard to beat up on them and wind up fouling out myself. Having succumb to being mind f@#k in games myself, I know that the best way to deal with it is to pretend nothing can make me mad. Not the easiest thing to do and I've failed at it more than I'd care to remember. In a way that ticks them off even more when they can't get you riled up and the table eventually turns on them.
One of the great lessons Bruce Lee gave was to a student after he had lost a match. He drew a line on the ground and ask the student how he could make that line shorter. The student kept giving suggestions like folding it in half or cutting it. Bruce finally drew another longer line next to it to illustrate a point. He said that instead of trying to reduce your opponent's skills, it's best to lengthen your own line by working on improving your own skills. Once your line is longer, then your opponent's line becomes short.
Lin in his own self belief doesnt fear a challenge from anyone. This we must assume from how he has repeatedly met every challenger with his best. He is fearless because he relishes the opportunity to meet every challenge. Instead of fearing it, he uses it as motivation to lengthen his own line.
Lin is not naive. There will be a time for all that but not now, not in public, and most certainly not when the team is in playoff push. As much as I hate to say this, we just need to wait a little bit longer to see how this played out in the end
Bob thanks for the long and detailed response. I also like the Bruce lee quote.
obviously, we all would like to believe how u describe Lin. However, I think his public acceptance of the situation and this belief that he needs to change will end up hurting him. I have given up the hope that Lin will get his chance to contribute this year. He is being groomed into being a small cog while harden takes the engine role.
I just hope things get better next year because if I see Lin getting marginalized like this over and over, I think I ll just stop watching all together. It would be too frustrating to see.
Your opening post is absolutely right. Not just Harden but many other good shooter are the same way - including Parsons. All players also adjust their poor shots as time goes, which is why it's unfair to not give Lin the same opportunity as the other starters. Between McHale's unfair treatments of Lin and him trying to break Lin's confidence all season, Lin should ask to buyout his contract, as soon as the Rockets current season is over.
Only one way way for Lin to fight thru the abuse, keep at taking the rim, take high percentage shots, control turnover, tough D, make plays. Yes! He has to perform like an all star every game in the playoffs or I predict Bev will get more min and not just ending the 4th. But if he plays well and still get short leashes then I hope we lose every game regardless sadly how much Lin wants Rox to win because I can't stand people think Bev is better all the time. I'm convinced that Mcgail does not think Lin deserve to be a starter! I would not mind Bev to start and get exposed before the playoffs. I like Bev but he is being developed so much more as a back up then our starter!
Totally agree, but remember that very shooter will have a bad day. I think as long as he is playing his brand of balls and keep improving, he will do fine.
Jlin can score 38 once, twice, he can do it three times and more... I believe in him; Jlin had linsanity level of play, he has the ability to do it again and again, I believe in him; Go JLin!
Ok. Saw this game in replay - not real time - glad I did not waste my time. Refs totally cheated Lin and it changed the game. 2nd game in a row calling phantom calls - Lin gets near Parker and they call foul. Lin gets hacked every game and no foul.
Plus in the 1st quarter they did not pass to Lin and they never let him get going. Harden passed it to Lin with 2 seconds left and caused a miss by Lin and a turnover by Lin. I want to see him on another team. This just sucks
Jeremy you have to stick it to McHale in no uncertain terms. Be selfish, angry and demanding. Tell that ugly asswipe, either 'play me or trade me.' Even Mozgov from Denver has had enough of Karl and wants out. He could give a hoot about the team winning because he wasn't playing and his development has been stunted. Same for Lin. His development, leadership, and pure basketball skills are being sabotaged by that bastard McHale. He needs to take that big gorilla aside and tell him he's not happy and he wants out after this year if things don't change right now. Believe me Lin has power but he needs to use it. No matter what Lin may say outwardly, he's seething inside because he doesn't want to be a non- contributor in a win. I'm sure the win dep down he could care less about if he's not an essential contributor. I know I would want to produce of otherwise I'd feel like it was an empty win.
Absolutely Agree! In order for the mistreatment of Lin to have continued THIS LONG (all season; from the very bigining when they knew his knee wasn't fully rehabbed), Morey has to be in on it with McHale.
Lin's situation with the Rockets is unprecedented for a starter. The Mozgov situation in Denver is a lot more mild, because he's not the starter.
The flow of this game from the start was not in Lin's favor. He barely touched the ball the entire first half. They should work to get him going.
I am no longer watching games live. Only in replay so I don't have to waste time. Plus now the refs are clearly biased. Whether it is subconscious or conscious it really says a lot about who they are
OK, I'm utterly overly consumed after this game. I promise myself and you all, I won't post as much(not that anyone of you cares), but I really have to conserve my energy to watch the remaining games of the regular season and, hoepfully playoffs too.
Well this is my prediction. I don't think Jeremy is that naive and he and his crew know how he is being straight disrespected by McHale. However, the worst thing he can do us create a situation where his dissatisfaction with the team will create a distraction when they are trying to get into the playoffs.
I think Jeremy's crew will let this season play out and address this issue in the off season. I just can't see him being satisfied with his current role when we as fans are all up in arms about it. I doubt that things will be the same in the second year.. Or Lin would want out.
This is at least my prediction .. My hope for some change.
Lin will play out his contract and then bolt unless traded first...he is in a lose/lose situation if he whines or cries because he was the undrafted Asian American miracle, still seen as a scrub by most.
The Rockets aren't changing his role anytime soon so the sooner you come to that acceptance, the better for your stress levels.
If he complained on any level in any way, he would be seen as being ungrateful and "big headed" and "delusional." He would be crucified in the media and the Rox FO would leak negative press about Lin whining for a bigger role yet not being capable of it to keep him in his place.
Look what happened when Lin, in what I feel was a mistake, mentioned aloud that race may have affected his trajectory into the NBA and how he was treated on the court his entire bball career. People in the USA just don't like to hear that crap because it's true.
The idiots on ESPN First Take couldn't wait to complain that Lin was all hype and getting big money and deals and media coverage only because he was in fact Asian & that Lin should acknowledge that more so than any BS he had to deal with in getting to the stage of Linsanity.
The media including ESPN couldn't wait to spin Lin's comments and take it out of context and make it about Lin being over-hyped because he was the lone Asian guy in the NBA.
Lin is not an all world talent who can overwhelm the opposition on his own without some help/team play and being able to dominate the ball (only Lebron is such a player) and it would be easy, like it is now, to make Lin look like a forgettable average Joe like in today's Spurs game if the coaches limit his minutes and his role.
So imagine him complaining in any real capacity...he would be crucified from ESPN to CNN to NBA blogs to bball forums...he would alienate his team and his teammates too.
Yes Lin gets that he is being pushed into a limited role. Yes Lin knows he is capable of more. But the NBA is a business. It's not recreational pickup basketball. He has to do what he's paid to do, and unless he can show he is the next coming of Isiah Thomas or force the issue in games, he isn't going to get to play his style of game, and he knows it.
I wish he would have done more in the Spurs game in getting stats, but he was focused on winning the way the coaches drew it up, which was getting Harden and Parsons the ball and having everyone else get the heck out of the way unless they got a pass from 1 of those 2 guys...it was an important game for the team so I think he sucked it up for the good of the team.
There will be little change until his contract is up and/or if they trade him before then.
I'm telling you, just accept it like I have otherwise you are just stressing yourself out like the rest of these Lin supporters on here.
In today's game, I knew Lin would get scrub minutes, but I was disappointed the Rox went back to the Lin pass off and hide in the corner offense and that Lin went along with it completely. It's painful to watch and I was expecting his usage to regress to such pathetic levels today from start to finish...
I can only imagine how tough it is for those who still hold the false belief that Lin will get to lead this team or dominate the ball anytime soon...sure he'll have some more 20 point games, but he'll have his 4 points games just the same as well as the 4Q benchings...it will only get worse in the playoffs.
Conflict with Christianity in Lin's Mind? There shouldn't be any conflict.
Lin needs to realize that being a good Christian and being ruthless on the pro basketball court ISN'T mutually exclusive: If he thinks he's going by the Bible, he shouldn't take things out of context/shouldn't be selective. If he were to go war for his country, IT'S HIS JOB to kill or be killed!
I'm so tired of Lin's MISGUIDED attitude and/or philosophy of what he thinks is the right perspective. On the other hand, I really think Lin has CONFIDENCE PROBLEM because the Rockets organization has jerked him around like a tumbleweed from the get go (with a 3- pronged attack: via words, attitudes and action).
Any player with self-respect would have demanded a trade, rather than just thinking about how he might come across as a "witness" for Christ or to the public. The latter isn't the biggest deal since he chooses to do so few endorsements. Besides, I think that most people would think he's COOL to demand a trade under the circumstances; right now, most people think he's a STUPID and passive Harvard grad who lets others - especially McHale - walk all over him.
Lin should refuse to play in the 4th quarter now on. If he gets ripped for insubordination, he should say to Mchale "Then trade me!" and "Be consistent and bench Me in the 4th quarter ALL THE TIME why don't you!"
Stop living through Lin and live for yourself. You'll live longer that way.
If Lin is legit, he will find a way one day to make it, on the Rox or another team. Just don't expect it to happen overnight.
Lin is not a world beater on his own and the Rockets want him to be a role player, so just understand that.
If you want Lin to be the lead star guard on a team, wait till 2015 and see what happens then and pray he gets a shot at it and that someone out there wants him in that role...
Hahahaha.... That will be a failed strategy for certain, imo.
If Lin stand pat and passive, he will not be seen as a Starting PG and no team will want him as a starter - only as a backup and for cheap! A terrible idea.
Your advice is the wrong one, IMO.... because allowing the current course to run through and pass until Lin's contract is over, is to ignore the fact that Lin's production UNDER Mchale will generally remain VERY LOW. WHICH MEANS, he will not have many takers (maybe not any) STARTER for 2015 season. Don't forget that, by then (at the ripe old basketball age of 27), Lin will likely NO LONGER BE SEEN as a player with an upside.
An Asian American undrafted guard who barely made the NBA and exploded via Linsanity cannot demand a trade or act out. Honestly, I assume you weren't born in the USA or live in the USA or had a lot of actual exposure to mainstream American culture/people even if you live in the USA.
Lin would be crucified if he did anything other than know his role.
He has to show out in his 20-25 minutes a game. That is his ONLY short term play. He didn't do so today so it's on him and you can all see what happened.
Even under extreme circumstances and large consequences at stake, like in today's game, he has to find a way in these games to be dynamic and not let the Rox take it away from him even if he has to play Russian Roulette with Mchale, his teammates, and the Rox FO.
Nobody can demand that of him. I sure can't. I'm just saying that's his only play...I'm not sure any current all-star put in Lin's role could excel or turn the tides to make it painfully clear to everyone how badly he is being used aside from a few guys like CP3 and Dwill. Lin's been able to do it here and there but not obviously enough.
zrta, I am on the same page as you. Lin cannot stand pat - with that I agree. However, his only play is to let his game do the talking for him. Nothing else but that can keep him relevant...
The Rockets want him to be a role player, but that doesn't mean he has to play that way when he can help it. That's all I'm saying. It's tough because for him to show out, he probably has to break his coaches' orders and play outside the team's circle of rules. So you can imagine he's in a tough position to get stats vs. help the team win in a scrubby Steve Blake, Derek Fisher, Avery Johnson role.
If Lin were left to play through a mediocre first half (like Harden and parsons - and even Beverly and previously Douglas - are given the change all the time), Lin's production will even out like for Harden and Parsons..... I've seen a numerous times where Harden's stats were terrible for the first half. And then he got warm and got into his rhythm and adjusted his shots from his many muscle-memory mistakes, and then wound up the best performer. McHale-Sampson NEVER GAVE LIN THAT KIND of OPPORTUNITY. In fact, you were all witnesses to the fact that whenever Lin's stats were very good in the first half, McHale has made sure (most of the time) that Lin doesn't add any more good stats to his. I remember one time in such a situation, Lin added ONE TO to his stat in the 2nd half, and NOTHING ELSE. And it wasn't Lin's doing; McHale's subbing pattern manipulated the outcome. I saw first hand, the Lin-hating McHale, as the coach, CAN DO THAT. !!! It has happened a number of times (about 10 or so).
The trade deadline has passed for the season. The only thing Lin can control is playing smart defense and scoring more on offense. These single digit games need to stop. The other stuff he can't worry about because, it's out of his hands.
What in the world are you talking about now? What you said is completely true, but what does that have to do with ANYTHING?
The Rox view Lin as a role player, get that through your head already....they don't view him as Parsons and Harden. They dont even view him as DOUGLAS!
When will you realize this?
They view Lin as a marginal scrub who the owner forced onto the team.
Thus, as I mentioned many times, Lin's 1 and only play is to kick ass in his 20-25 minutes a game. And I am referring to his offensive stats and defensive steals stats. He has no room for error unlike these other teammates. He has to play killer ball, and this double standard, if Lin can overcome it, will make Lin that much of a better player, even though Mchale would probably prefer to see Lin crumble and flame out.
Serious ztrta, you are well intentioned, but beating a dead horse.
We all know the trade deadline was Feb 15..... but it goes to show that Lin was again naive to think that things will get better. He SHOULD HAVE asked for a trade a long before the trade deadline!..... At this point, i think a good option is to buy out his contract, so that he wouldn't be traded to a totally loser team and have at least some choice. A PLAYER SO TREATED WILL NOT BE KEPT IN THE TEAM. Mark my words.... Hint Hint: A BUYOUT a la Aaron Brooks.
Ztrta, can you stop the buyout stuff? Do you even how the rule works?
Even Lin doesn't care about the money, and does the improbable to buy out his own contract. He would be be waiver and picked up by whichever team, not a team of his choice.
Aaron Brooks can go to the Rockets because no one picked him up at waiver. Also I am sure you want Lin to sit on the bench as a 3rd PG like Brooks. Stupid.
Also nba basketball is Lin's job. He's there to earn money. He worked hard to earn his 25 millions. He's not there to give up his money so he can play at minimum contract to please you and fullfill your ego. Lin always works for a higher salary, now a lower one, just like you and me with our own jobs. Just stop your madness.
If you think money is not important, you can always feel free to give your hard earned money to all of us BTW.
There are 2 schools of thoughts for Asian Americans. One school calls out blatant double standards and discrimination for Asian Americans in college admissions for example. Asian Americans have to be better in all aspects for the same change of admission because there is a r.acist quota.
On the other hand, other "typical" Asians, instead of fighting this systemic and societal prejudice or beliefs that there are "too many Asians" in college, by forcing their kids to work even harder, study even more, become even more of a tool, to fit into the ridiculous and competitive quotas all over the country.
The combative path, over time, actually improves things for other Asian people. The weak path is just to say you HAVE to perform better in order to have the same opportunity as everyone else. That is just BS. Double standards should be called out.
I would LOVE if Jeremy Lin one day just left the bench after an inexplicable 4Q benching and just went to the locker room. Create a story out of it like Rubio and Gasol did.
Jeremy Lin doesn't need to get a buyout. He already has a big guaranteed contract, which gives him leverage. If he made it an issue it would definitely put PRESSURE on McHale and Sampson who have much less leverage as mediocre coaches who are easily fired.
The solution is so simple. It's been suggested by MTerry, Ebattorney and I'm sure some others. Lin has to look to score more. Paasing is truly secondary. Otherwise he's just warming his own seat on the bench.
Before it was about being able to play point for the team. This time it's just about being on the floor when the game is on the line. If Lin thinks the team is better served with himself on the bench and Bev playing then he should just say so. A lot of us would just quit watching. We have other things to do than follow a second rate player. Those guys are a dime a dozen in the nba.
The blueprint has been set by McHale and Morey at the start of the season. Harden is the man. No Linsanity. Lin is purely a singles and doubles hitter. Lin is a situational role player. All this talk of how Lin is such a great leader is delusional. Leaders don't sit on the bench during crunch time.
It has been shown that defense cannot keep him on the court. Defense is not enough. Besides sometimes offense is just better than defense. That's when you have to score on them back.
Is Lin going to sit back play his role and see Bev take over in the 4th quarter? I hope not.
This game confirms something we already knew. McFail already puts more trust in Patrick Beverly than JLin. It's been this way even before the All Star break, he will find every reason to give Beverly more minutes and let him play the 4th quarter. Unless Beverley is playing terrible or is in foul trouble ... we won't see much Lin in the 2nd half. That's the decision that has already been made.
JLin is not helping himself either. Idk what has gotten into him this past few games, but he looks like a mediocre rookie player these last 2 games. He's jumping in the air to shoot then changes his mind to pass the ball and turns it over. In the 4th he had trouble guarding Ginobili and took his eyes off to allow an open 3-pointer and gambled for a steal allowing Ginobili to drive and dish. He allowed Parker to get past him several times in the 4th. He was standing too close to Parker on the perimeter, apparently afraid that Parker was going to hit 3-pointers in his face like Irving or Lillard.
Idk what it was: Maybe Lin was too distracted about his alma mater Harvard winning a NCAA tournament game. Maybe he has been fasting and going without any food for several days, as many super-religious Christians do to observe the Passover holiday.
We will never know why he is playing so bad lately, but I for one hope he turns it around.
"He's [Lin] jumping in the air to shoot then changes his mind to pass the ball and turns it over." - - - - - - -
Yes, we've seen Lin do that a lot. Hesitation bluff jump shot is the worse thing he can do, BECAUSE it wastes a shot clock time and gives opponents a time to reposition themselves. And if he were to actually take the shot AFTER hesitating, he'd surely miss. A great shooters like Harden NEVER hesitate!..... But in all fairness, I feel that Lin does that (pretending to shoot and changing his mind and then passing) DUE to LACK OF CONFIDENCE - *AND* his lack of confidence is because of the way he's been treated by the Rockets; and he's afraid of missing too many shots or making mistakes, which is a form of negative visualization or negative self-fulfilling. prophecy. It's a bad situation.
I feel that Lin pretends to shoot and then not shoot because he doesn't want to be perceived as being afraid to take shots and then makes it seem like the defense got to him too quickly for him to shoot unforced, and then passes, in hopes of at least helping out the team in another way. Lin is stressed and afraid to fail BECAUSE of the the way the Rockets "basketball minds" have shown that they don't believe in him.
You think Lin played poor defense on Ginobili when Ginobili only scored 3 points all game long?
You also think Lin played bad defense on Tony Parker who no team can truly stop when he runs that high pick and roll with Duncan? Patrick Beverley got lit up too.
And you criticize Lin for not being needed in a 30 point Rockets win while actually being needed in this victory against the best team in the West?
CNM Jeremy Lin YouTube commentary said McHale's gambit with Bevereley almost backfired, but because we won, no one cares (just like Deron Williams lighting up Lin from three point range in recent Brooklyn Nets game, no one ultimately cares because we won).
Also commented on how great Spurs defense is this year, and how the seem to be able to recover like the Miami Heat.
21:30 mark: weakness of great defense such as Miami or Spurs, and to lesser extent OKC.
This game James had to bull his way into defense, create contact, and get to foul line to score.
But Lin's playmaking ability (drive, draw and dish or drive and kick off of dribble drive penetration), not his individual scoring ability per se, can really get ball moving and get all teammates involved and add an extra gear of explosiveness to offense.
But if team isn't making outside shots, and Jeremy is cold from outside, well obviously Spurs can just pack the paint and take away that extra gear of explosiveness Lin adds to offense. Lin wasn't really able to get out in transition to create easy scoring opportunities for teammates, either.
When Jeremy is rolling, seems like teammates are also really moving their bodies and not just standing around and watch James or Jeremy dribble ball.
Another overlooked fact about Lin's ability to win games even if he doesn't have a great offensive outing:
Lin will drag some player down with him.
This game the great Manu Ginobili was held to 3 points.
Lin has a tremendous effect on team defense because of his ability to stick with his man. It makes it much harder for a player like Ginobili to attack the gaps created by Tim Duncan.
If my memory serves me correctly, Steve Nash gained a lot of self confidence by leading the Canadian Olympic basketball team single handedly in getting to the quarters one year. It was proof to himself and everyone in the world that he is a difference maker. No one believed that Canada could even get into the Olympics when all they had was Nash. He carried the whole team on his shoulders.
Lin has proven already that he can lead a team by his own talent. We are all equally guilty in allowing the mass media to brain wash us into believing other wise.
Christmas 2011, Mchale sent an early Christmas present to Lin by cutting him. How low he must have felt to be so cruely treated. Mchale is out to prove that he wasn't wrong in making that cut and costing Les $25 mil.
Lin's whole career is a testament of the power of his faith. Look closely at the miracle of Linsanity and the convergence of events that needed to take place in order for Lin to be thrusted into the role of savior for the Knicks and you have to scratch your head pretty hard to believe it. The power of Tiger Woods or MJ.to will in a shot or putt is nothing compare to the power of lin's belief to will into reality linsanity.
Christians all must deal daily with personal doubt with their faith. In our modern times, we are constantly bombarded with the idea that our lives have no meaning. Doubt is the zeitgeist of our time, faith in our purpose and our underlying goodness is considered to be an anachronism. Compared to the amount of doubt Lin has had to deal with and still have the grace and dignity to rise above it all, that should tell us how incredible his faith and will is.
Believing is the key to opening the door to your destiny.
Lins current taken over late in the fourth by Bev is no surprising to most of us as it happened to Lin when TD was here. I'm truly convince and I am curious to know how many of us on this forum believe like I do that Mcgail never gave a damn about Linsanity (he publicly pretty much admitted that), and think Lin was and is just a "flash in a Pan", not a solid starter material in the NBA, and could be easily replacable with a back up guard, such as Beverly, who is pretty much NBA rookie and 'unproven'. This is a testament that McGail never trusted Lin and will never do, and since he is not an experienced or proven coach, it just makes the situation for Lin even worse. It just hit me recently that the biggest Lin-douber or lin hater in the basketball world is his own coach, and i would be with my house, if it up to him, he would not only choose any back-up guard over lin, yes, even Aroon Brook (I think he will sooner later cut Lin's minute, which is gonna be an uproar on lin fans, but he rather Rockets did not sign Lin. Why I may say this? Well, the evidence is justs overwhelming. MCGAIL IS LINS NO.1 DOUBTER AND HATER!LOT WORSE THAN STEPHEN A. SMITH. SUCH A PATHETIC REVELATION ON MY PART.
Just to clarify, I'm not totally upset with the benching especially when Bev was able to pretty much do most of the things that Lin was capable of doing in this game, and better on the offensive end in the first quarter and earned his playing minutes. What I am pissed is not the 4th quarter late benching because Lin could not contain Parker and make couple bad plays and shots, but Im mad about subbing out Lin the final 2 or 3 minutes of the 2nd quarter with Bev having 3 fouls already, this move pretty much told me Mcgail thinks Lin is "USELESS" out there and would rather risk the chance of BEV fouling out earlier down the stretch. Since Lin will never to be allowed to play through his mistakes and climb the learning curve under Mcgail, and his shackled to the extent that he is "afraid" to play his style and free, I am all for a trade to even lesser team where he may not lead the mediocre talent to playoff, but he enjoys his style of play, and still build his value.
I can understand why McHale subs out Lin for a foul addled Beverley.
The refs hate Lin and thus cheat him far more than they do Beverley, so the more minutes Bev plays the less Lin gets into foul trouble.
The dynamic is like this: Even with refs tanking on Lin, Lin usually can get enough done to get the lead and hold it. Beverley comes in once Lin's gotten that lead, and usually the lead shrinks. In comes Lin, and the lead goes back up.
Occasionally Beverley will have a game where he shoots well. When Lin gets benched on thise occasions, it's not because Lin was not playing well but because Beverley had the hot hand.
So why not leave Lin IN when he gets hot? Because the refs cheat Lin on fake fouls and so Lin is like a ticking time bomb for foul trouble.
Even though I love Lin's game and would play him as many minutes as I could if he were my player, I'd probably have him on the court for exactly the same amount of minutes as he's getting right now because of the refs cheating him. I'd limit his minutes not to muzzle his game, but to make sure the refs didn't saddle him with fake fouls and knock him and thus the Rockets out of the game entirely.
@SGUO It seems pretty consistent that McHale has been a JLin doubter. Cut him the first time without allowing him many reps. Narrow scope of usage. Limited minutes. Limited minutes in crunch time. Statements about JLin expected to be 'solid' and should not be a home run hitter.
However, it also seems to me that the PG in McHale's system is simply to provide a spark. Once the team starts getting outscored, the other PG comes in. That to me explains why McHale swaps PB and JLin in and out.
Saw the game with LP. Looks to me that JLin's task for the game is to stop TParker which he was able to do except for the 4th Q. It's a good experience for him.
@khuang As much I totally agree the refs are tanking Lin 80 percent of time by no calls or bad calls, I don't think Mcgail gives a damn about that and takes Lin out because of that. If he thinks your way then Lin should get even fewer minutes of play time and he would be arguing every Lin related no calls. I love your analysis and hope it is the case but it is too little too late for me to give Mcgail any benefit off doubts anymore. Lin will never thrive under Mcgail period!
@wilc, thanks for replying. I know what your are saying and hope that is not true because if it is, then it is the end of Lin's development under the rockets and coach because that's is not a system Lin will thrive and will alwaysand under used
This game was all about coaching and making adjustments from the previous meetings. Pop is clearly a better coach than McHale may ever will be. The game came down to the last seconds with James Harden making a shot at the end. It is more credit to James Harden than McHale. JLin is learning the ups and downs of the NBA year. The refs suck at calling games, and generally seem to be against Lin. We'll see what happens in the Playoffs. I hope the Rockets keep James Harden and JLin back court together for a long time and buy out McHale's contract and put a real head coach back to steer the ship.
I was listening to a radio show Saturday on NPR. It was about how old people are easily scammed for their money by tricks such as when they're told they won a lot of money but had to prepay taxes in order to get the winnings.
The elderly, say Mark, will pay for the tax but never receive his winnings. People will tell Mark that he's stupid. Will Mark listen? In most cases, other elderly people will continue to be scammed because they want to prove to the people who called them stupid that they are smart.
And, if only one of these scams turned out to be true, then Mark can say to all his doubters that he is smart all along. That's why someone like Mark will continue to fork his money over to each and every scam that he's faced with.
The above serves as my attempt to explain what is going on. You have three characters who will continue to prove that they've been right all along.
Morey will continue to try to prove that his strategies are the right ones. He will continue to institute the run and gun, read and react, high risk high rewards type of basketball as well as treating young players like poker chips even when he's proven wrong.
McHell will continue to utilize his eye test, favor his sons and refuse to give "scrubs" a second look even when he's proven wrong.
Jeremy will continue to play his heart out and belieivng that what happens on the floor will speak for itself. If that's the case, Jeremy has been speaking up pretty loud since his stats since January has been Linsanity-esque. And, surely, Houston will start to value Jeremy, but we're proven wrong.
But, wait! Jeremy's not been talking much if his past two games were speaking for Jeremy. Is it just something as simple as a couple of bad shooting games?
Or is there some other dynamic going on?
He didn't take many shots, but he made lots of very good passes in the first quarter. Lin was on ball for much of the first quarter. But, after he missed one shot, he's back in the no man land corner before getting subbed out.
He didn't hit a shot all night until he made one FG in the 4th. How did he act after he made that shot? He was jumping around with his chest stuck out like he just drained a game winner.
How does Jeremy look during other games where he has bad shooting games, turning the ball over and benched early? He looked pissed and anti social.
How did he look during the game yesterday even after he turned the ball over at the end of the third quarter where he was asked to come in with 20 seconds left? He was laughing it up.
This is not the Jeremy of old. Something snapped. Jeremy is refusing to be Mark? He's going through a mind funk where he's realizing that what he does on the court doesn't speak for him anymore? He's no longer paying it forward since he knows there's nothing he can do that will make Houston FO see value in him?
Jeremy's usage has always been peaks and valleys with McHell. When the team is winning, McHell goes back to his old self of not disciplining the team. When the team loses, defense drill and passing drills as well as expecting Lin to save his job!
Yesterday, we saw for the first time that Houston won against a good team without relying on their best play maker. Morey and McHell is proving to the world that they've been right and we've been wrong all this time?
Well, no. Did Houston outscore Spurs or did they out D the Spurs? Stats wise speaking, Houston seemed to have out D the Spurs.
And, when Houston did score, a lot of it were off points in the paint, Js and freethrows as well as getting higher than usual offensive rebounds.
The team is evolving away from Morey/McHell's usual style of play. But, it also seems to be evolving away from utilizing Lin as well. Is this why Lin is smiling though he played badly and not utilized as if he lost the battle but won the war?
Sumthin's different. Can't quite put my finger on it.
I guess looking strictly from the perspective of Lin building value for himself in the market place within NBA, I really believe Lin has to show that he can score more on a consistent basis. That way, he would be wanted for other assets than being able to bring sponsor money for his team's owner. This is why I said from the beginning of this season that the only thing Lin can do is to focus on improving the variety in his offense and score more. I want him to be in a situation where he will be wanted by other teams once his contract with Rockets expire. By the way, I agree with Solid and Swingline that Lin's role in Rockets is not going to change, even in playoffs. I dare say if Rockets had a better back-up PG like JJ Barea, Lin's playing time would even be limited and he might not even be starting. I would say Lin needs to take more shots to get to around 16 ppg for other teams to really want Lin as a starting PG.
If Lin was allowed to play as a true PG, i.e., Rondo, yes, Lin can average around 12 ppg and get as many assists he wants. However, because of his perceived and actual weaker handle than Rondo, many teams will not allow him to play this role, which leaves no choice for Lin but to become a valuable scorer who can also give 5 to 6 assists per game.
Also, when Harden wants the ball and show he can win against good teams like Spurs, every other players in Rockets, including Lin, is just a supporting cast to showcase Harden. The best Lin can do, unless Harden gets injured, is to improve his game and add more variety to his offensive moves and then get the heck out of Rockets. I would really love to see Lin back with Knicks when Knicks probably will be in a rebuilding mode without Melo.
I just don't know what happened to the swagger he had for the last few weeks? I really thought he turned the corner in his game.
Anyway, knowing that his role will not change in Rockets, i decided to just follow Lin through this website and not watch actual games and cancel my League Pass at the end of this year. No point in canceling when I already paid for one year. I don't want to give my money to NBA where the refs call too many phantom calls against Lin.
I agree with you from the building value perspective. It should be clear to everyone fan of jlin or not that the coaches are limiting his contribution to this team. Unless jlin shows he's hot (and even some games he is hot) they won't leave him in more than 32 minute.
At this point I'm writing the Rockets off for any long term plans as they pertain to jlin. I'm sure this off season he will have a good idea of what to focus on. He won't have to worry about knee rehab, build his stamina, 3pt shot etc.
Morey will trade jlin wait and see. He won't have a choice I just can't see him wanting to stay, he will get playoff experience, get better with limited 30 minutes of McFail and won't agree to any extension. Morey may move him this summer, I don't believe one word the Rockets organization says about jeremy being a key part of their team moving forward. Some of those CF fans will get what they hope for, a new point guard. You know how the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for ;-)
I will patiently pray for the day that comes when Lin will get his chance to be the point guard on a different team and shove Morey/Mcgail's BS down their throat again. I now feel the Rockets treatment of Lin is even worse then how Knicks handle him. At least they did not said one thing and did another, and basically treat him with absolutely no respect. At least the knicks acknowledge Linsanity was critical to bring them to the playoff. What the F did the Rockets ever say or do to shown they value him, since the trade? I hope Rockets fail miserable when Lin's new team (hopefully in the East, NYK possible? makes to the playoff and Lin be set free to play PG again)
This is the point I've been trying to make for a long time. Lin has to pick his battles better and utilize the situation he is in for his team as well as his future. Mchale wants a no brainer to bring the ball up and hand it to harden. The PG in his system is an off ball distraction to spread the floor so that Harden and Parson has the floor to themselves. This is the battle ground he has to fight in. The war he needs to win is his own longevity in the league. To win that war, he has to learn to shoot post up and work himself into open shots, then shoot, and NEVER think about doing anything else. The war to win is to to increase his own value in the NBA marketplace. If Lin tries to dribble and be creative to find an open man, he is in fact being labelled a selfish rogue free agent. Lin's own inner conflict of wanting to be unselfish and helping his teammates to score is in fact making him a "selfish player" in the eyes of his coach.
To win his battle with Mchale, he has to find an open shot and shoot each and every time. Lin should just make his points, then sit after his 20-25 minutes of play. In fact doing exactly what his coach wants him to do will hasten the demise of Mchale and the Rox. This is his control and his trump card. Doing exactly what he is asked to do, while improving his own post up scoring will expose how simplistic Mchale's offense is. Right now teams are already doubling up on Harden making it very hard for him to drive or find an easy shot. Mchale is solely relying on harden to shoot and create shots for Parsons. Without Lin driving to the rim, and creating shots for the rest of his teammates, the Rox will live and die by the 3 in the crunch time to come. Remember the Suns game when Harden and Parsons could hit a shot? They got blown out and only Lin scored well because he attacked the rim. This is the fate of the Rox once refs decide to put their whistles in their pockets and harden won't get his charity stripe freebies. Executing Mchale's game plan is exactly the way to chase him out of town.
Khuang, where u at! Say something! Geronimo, ethane, psalm? I need some sanity and reassurance all is good!
ReplyDeleteIt's fine. Jlin is part of the win.
DeleteAll is good, man. Chill. :)
DeleteJLin will come back stronger and fiercer!
I will let the wise words of torocan sooth your fears. The most reasonable Lin fan I know (after me if course=p.
Delete"Lin, Delfino and Parsons had a rough game offensively. They had decent games defensively... well, as good as you can expect when you're asking to guard Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli.
Asik was actually very good covering Tim Duncan... a pleasant surprise considering how beastly TD has been as of late.
Tonight was pretty much Harden's show, though Beverley gave some really good minutes and made a few key plays down the stretch.
All in all, I'm more impressed by the team's overall defensive effort. Keeping the Spurs to 98 was very impressive. The offense is going to be what we've seen, IE, one of the best offenses in the NBA.
I like to consider that despite multiple cold shooters and a lot of fouls, we STILL scored 99 points AND got a win against one of the top contenders in the NBA. That's a real and tangible change from a lot of our other games."
Go back to Linsanity 1.0 with Knicks, ignore the gaudy offensive statistics, and remember what numerous commentators marveled at:
DeleteJeremy Lin impacted flow and outcome of game.
I remember lots of commentators being amazed by that one observation.
Thanks all, the question was post rhetorically as there were just too many negative sentiments in the last thread. I'm in the Bamboo, Soliz camp when it come to accepting Lins playing minutes overall, esp when he struggled with his shots and aggressiveness, and TOs.
DeleteBut still like to hear what the usual posters have to say as they can break down the Lin's game for us in their eyes as well, with their unique basketball knowledge that some of us, like myself don't always have, and just resort to sentiments.
I can't say anything about this game since I didn't see it.
DeleteI'll leave you, SGUO, with this quote from Larry Bird:
"You can play terrible and still win".
No question in my mind opposing teams plan for Harden more than Lin. Clearly, Harden is the untouchable man in Rockets and has everyone's respect. Whether Rockets can go further than make playoff -- which is a great accomplishment for them this year -- without involving Lin and giving him more freedom, that remains to be seen. But no question in my mind that Lin is being treated as 4th or 5th most important player in Rockets. Whether I like it or not, that much is clear.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am glad Rockets won.
I noticed that in the 2nd half game thread, a lot of people having the delusion that its a genius move by McHale to take Lin out of the game not closing the 4th quarter because they think that Lin "played poorly".
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it was McHale is just doing what we have been doing many times this season. The refs started to repeatedly cheating on Lin giving him fouls and McHale is not using him much offensively anyway so might as well take him out of the game completely
IIRC, Jeremy played whole fourth quarter up to that point, so he might have been tired.
DeleteIf he had been able to contain Parker, he probably would have stayed in, but tonight Parker got the best of his (Jeremy being outshines a bit by one of the best point guards isn't necessarily a condemnation of him,he is just young and doesn't have all of that NBA veteran savvy yet).
Patrick Bevereley played really well tongiht so I give him kudos.
I don't think Jeremy's starter position is at any risk at all, though, because Beverley is not the playmaker Jeremy is.
I am just happy that we stole this victory, because it puts alot of pressure on Warriors to also steal a game they weren't expected to win.
I don't Lin played poorly; he just wasn't the difference maker on court he can often be.
Rockets won, they played good defense (look at box score for shooting percentages of starters), so I am happy.
Also good for James's ego to bask in all of the glory till Wednesday, with Lin just fading quietly into background (hopefully that makes him unselfish in future tight game where he NEEDS Jeremy to step up and help him close out game).
@Joe,
DeleteOn the previous thread, you said
"This game also shows that James is a foundational superstar that can create when everything is locked down, jeremy can not"
care to elaborate?
If James is not on court, and it's just Jeremy on court with other Rockets, unless they are shooting absolutely lights out from three, or Spurs are turning over ball like crazy and Rockets getting out in transition a ton, then yes, Jeremy is not going to be able to break down a great defense like Spurs by himself.
DeleteYou have a shot blocker preventing Jeremy from freely driving to basket, and Popovich can have defense shut down all his passing options and dare Lin to beat them single-handedly with his jump shot.
I really don't think that would have worked tonight.
James can bull his way into defense and force contact to get to free throw line (unless refs not calling anything).
Fact that Jeremy is not a foundational superstar all by himself is not an insult.
Hopefully he is the incremental difference maker that can bring Rockets, led by James and Jeremy, a few championships in upcoming years.
:)
Thanks, Joe.
DeleteIf i understand you correctly, the missing link for Jeremy to become a foundational superstar is his lacking of eurostep to the rim and get foul calls from the refs?
I honestly don't think will ever be considered a super star in the classic sense.
DeleteHis talents are more elusive and team focused.
Remember when Jeremy didn't get picked up in draft, he said his talents don't show up in individual skills tests or even three on three.
Other coaches who have watched him extensively also said you have to watch him over time, not just a snap shot, to appreciate what he brings to game.
Like always, I use the Eli Manning vs Peyton Manning type analogy. Lin doesn't have a cannon for an arm and he just doesn't put up those individual super star numbers. Eli Manning is never put on best quarterback list, and I think he was mocked when he was asked whether he considered himself elite and he said he thinks so.
Jeremy will be the same, because his real talents (field sense and elite passing ability) just don't scream individual super star.
He just wins...
I personally don't want a carbon copy of Linsanity 1.0.
I strongly prefer the continued evolution of Linsanity 2.0 (elite passer, floor general, Mr. Fourth Quarter along with James) to what we all fondly remember from last year with the Knicks.
If Jeremy doesn't become a foundational superstar sooner than later, his NBA career won't go far, imho. Evidently, his skillset isn't being appreciated in Houston and he's stuck here for at least another year, which by then, he's already 26. He's constantly crictised by and received no love from fans. If he doesn't change, i'm afraid he will never ever be voted into all-star as he wishes.
DeleteA lot of players reach their prime when they are 26. Lin is just in a tough situation right now because he has to defer to Harden and even Parsons, not to mention he has bigs that can barely finish or run the pick n Roll effectively. DMo had some chemistry with Lin, until he is expected to keep jacking up 3's. We will see what Lin becomes next year when his current teammates have more experience and possibly a better big up front who can actually catch and finish Lin's passes.
DeleteWhat if all his teammates simply can't catch and finish his paases? With Morey's trading pattern, players come and go to no end it seems, it's hard for Jeremy to build chemistry with new teammates, yet Jeremy has to rely on his teammates to succeed? I don't want to sound too critical of Jeremy. Maybe I just don't understand bball too well as you guys do...
DeleteSome of his teammates can but they are limited on offense. Both Greg Smith and DMo have effectively shown that they can catch and finish with Lin. Although great on defense, Asik still has ways to go before he becomes a offensive threat. He's had problems catching even in Chicago and attempts reverse layups right under the basket. I don't think it's hard for Lin to build chemistry with new teammates, but it's hard to build chemistry with teammates who don't fit your style of play. But again, the Rockets are a very young team, Delfino was one of the oldest players and most experienced when he got there in the beginning of the season.
DeleteJust go back to what was said when Lin was at Palto Alto High:
DeleteHis only priorities are making plays and winning games.
Mater Dei coach said Lin makes everyone around him so much better.
http://www.sfgate.com/preps/article/BOYS-PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR-Jeremy-Lin-A-knack-for-2538272.php
I know that was high school, but it does seem like his gifts / talents surprisingly translate well up to D-League and NBA.
Compare and contrast to a talented and prolific scorer like Monta Ellis, who I don't think many would want to try and build a title contender around.
Super Lintendo - Jeremy's favorite Lin pun, chatting with you is like chatting with Jeremy himself... :)
DeleteI can see the "predicament" Jeremy is in currently. No qualms with Jeremy slowly but surely building chemistry with his teammates. I actually feel that Jeremy should(can I use this word, sounds too tyranical) transform himself into a foundational superstar instead of hinging his success on his teammates' development.
Precocious Talent:
Delete"Doc Scheppler has coached in Bay Area high schools for 34 years. He first saw Lin as a scrawny eighth-grader. But even then, “he had the ability to see the floor, make the right decision, make the correct angle pass. And that is just not done at 13, 14 years old.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/25/sports/basketball/the-evolution-of-jeremy-lin-as-a-point-guard.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Yes, I agree with you, Joe. I mean, if only Jeremy can have both traits, he can score at will - a scoring superstar and simultaneously, unselfishly make his teammates better, and win games. Ultimately, I want to hear fans chanting Jeremy Lin, the Superstar, Jeremy Lin, the MVP.
DeleteJaneLin7, then brace yourself for more bumps in the road and struggles. We all want to see Linsanity or Lin the superstar, but given the current circumstances it's going to take time for that to happen. Even Tony Parker said that it took time to play for a ball dominant guard like Ginobili as well, albeit Poppovich had more faith in Parker.
DeleteLin is a valumn shooter but they expect him to shoot 8 shots and make 6 to average double digits. Lin is getting of much weak picks, might as well not set it. Harden's picks are half ass also. It's set to get him the ball and not to make a play.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if my comment got deleted in the previous thread as a result of a glitch... I saw it once, then I didn't see it, etc. All I wanted to say is that had Mchale kept Lin in the entirety of the 4th quarter I also would have seen that as a legitimate choice. But since Beverly played so well, I just can't see the choice of keeping him in during the 4th as blasphemous considering how well Beverly was playing on both offense and defense and considering the Rocket's ended up with a W against an elite team. I'm totally cool if people disagree with; this is just how I see it. Anyways, the game is over. The Rocket's will probably get to the playoffs. We'll get to see Lin play in the playoffs. This is a good thing. At least to me.
ReplyDeleteFine. One question. How would you feel if Mac decided to make Lin a back-up? I do like Bev's D, don't get me wrong, and his energy also.
DeleteI would be against it. Bev hasn't proven to me that he can play as well as he can over the course of more minutes. Nobody can deny that his defense is very impressive. The guy's like the energizer bunny. However, I'm not convinced he can keep that up more than he does and I think Lin is a better overall player. So no, I wouldn't be cool with Beverly taking the starting position. But let's not turn this into Bev already has that because he doesn't: He doesn't average nearly as many minutes.
DeleteI was working and did not see this game.
DeleteIf Bev had good defense, I'll take you guys' words with it. That's because every game I see Bev play, he's gotten ATTACKED anf LIT UP.
Beverley actually did get lit up at the end lol.
DeleteBeverley was shooting well in first half, too.
DeleteLin played whole fourth quarter till he was pulled for Beverley.
Parker was scoring all of Spurs points, despite Lin being in pretty good position.
If nothing else, McHale just wanted to change things up and get Parker to miss or force someone else to beat them.
Worst thing you can say about LIn tonight was just that he wasn't the difference maker he can often be.
Someone do an analysis on who the refs are when Lin plays well vs bad and when he's in faul trouble. It could be interesting...
ReplyDeleteLol ginobilli and Lin had very comparable stats including min (26 min)
ReplyDeleteWho shut down ginobilli btw?
Himself, lol, your right he was not much of a factor! That's why spur lost in my view!
DeleteWhen feasible, I actually prefer Jeremy off ball on defense, guarding opposing player who often spots up in one of corners.
DeleteAllows Jeremy to see all of action in front of him and sort of play free safety.
That is how Coach Musselman often played him in D-League, and that worked out pretty well for Jeremy (sterling defensive rating I believe is because Jeremy took away possessions from other team, via rebounds, steals, charges, or deflections he didn't officially get credited for):
Jlin's Stellar Defensive Rating in D-League
take a break and save for playoff?
DeleteDifference is Manu plays the crunch time no matter what.
DeleteManu does not play well as of late.
Yeah, but we won.
Delete:)
Yes Cara.. that's exactly right. Manu has earned his coach's trust. Lin has not.
DeleteI think this is what we'll see for the rest of the season and the playoffs. IMO, no matter how well Lin plays from herein and out, Lin will be judged by his in game performance every single game. If he plays like he did today, u can bet McHale will be looking to replace him rather than to have him find himself out of it.
My question is what will happen next year? Will adding another superstar make him more dispensable? Will Lin find himself further down the pecking order? That is what I'm more worried about.
Lin needs to plan his "exit strategy" from Houston sooner rather than later.
DeleteHow that will happen is up to Lin's agent and confidants.
I don't think people should over react to this game. Lin had a bad game, which is going to happen to young players in their first season being a starter. I actually thought Lin played very well defensively except for bad calls in the 4th that went against him. Be glad the Rockets won this game as this further increases the chances for the Rockets making the playoffs which will be invaluable experience for Lin's career.
ReplyDeleteHis inconsistencies in his game are still showing especially with teams that play good defense like the Spurs. Almost all of it comes down to his willingness to take the open jumper. This showed even in the Cleveland game where defenders are waiting for him at the rim to block his shot.
I feel like if Lin misses his first few shots he quickly goes away from taking the open jumper and tries to force his way to the rim when there is a big waiting for him. I wasn't that impressed with his game against Utah as I think their interior defense is just bad. He has the most success when he's taking the outside jumpshot and he shouldn't get discourage from early misses.
"he [Lin] shouldn't get discourage from early misses.
DeleteI know.... Lin gets afraid because of the way the coaching staff treats him. Afraid to make mistakes; afraid to miss shots, when 50% is considered great and when Harden, Parsons or everybody else aren't afraid. Portland's Lillard or Batum and all other good shooters aren't afraid either. I've seem them (as well as Harden) shoot very poorly and then score the winning shot. Lin's confidence is the problem with his biased coaches.
Have you guys see that McHale put Lin with Bev together today? I haven't seen that for a while. i thought together, the defense was good, although i didn't like the fact that Bev was bringing up the ball, almost making Lin the shooting guard
ReplyDeleteYeah McHale was saying that he is trying to limit Hayden's time (according to Jonathan feign) . Perhaps we will see more if this ( bev as pg, Lin as sg) in the near future as it worked pretty well tonight.
DeleteI don't understand the logic for Bev be the pg and lin sg.
DeleteNot my logic, it was McHale's tonight. For me I was just happy and surprised to see him out there to start the second quarter.
DeleteLin should've do more of the crossover step back jumper he did on gernobili. It was in motion and a swish with a high arch.
ReplyDeleteLin was taken out for a few reasons, he got blocked on a lay up which he probably should've used his right hand instead and the missed shot on a mismatch. He arched it too high that time. The other reason is he got scored on a few times by parker.
He should've attacked Parker but again he's on a short leash so he might get pulled If he missed.
Being a good teammate and a leader, harden should run some plays for Lin. Not saying that he has to but by doing so it means that he trusts Lin and will bring his confidence up. Part of being a good leader in my opinion. Remember during linsanity he always give credit to his teammates. It's that trust level that gives everyone confidence.
Why aren't Harden or Parsons taken out when they play badly? Harden shot a miserable 6-16 this game and Parsons missed a lot of threes. Do you see them getting yanked for one or two bad plays? Never!! They get mulligans and are never accountable!! Parsons played 45 mins this game and he fucked up many times including no defense or rebounding!! Harden was too selfish the whole game but he doesn't get yanked like Lin and Harden played 40 mins today!! Lin makes one or two subpar plays and he gets benched no matter what and he only played a measly 26 mins!!! Don't you get it through your head, he simply is not valued by his coaches and is disrespected time and again!! When will you wake up and smell the coffee--this is not changing with the Rockets. He needs to ask for a trade at the end of this season for his sanity and his Linsanity!!!
DeleteMy rant wasn't to justify his benching or agreeing with his usage. Fact of the matter is he is in a bad situation that he must make he best. Honestly asking for a trade may not be the best thing to do. Don't think his trade value is there given his situation. You and I see this value but most people just look a box scores.
DeleteAgainst a good defensive team like the Spurs, Lin will not be able to score at the basket because they have good shot blockers. Duncan and Splitter are both 7 footers so Lin needs to make his jump shots especially when he is open. The defense is going to tighten up even more in the playoffs and it will be very difficult to score in the paint.
ReplyDeleteExcuse me but Lin scored 38 against the Spurs in a previous game so what you say makes no sense. He drove at will in that game and finished with a lot of layups.
Deleteagree, Lin will match up well with Spurs in my mind. Tony Parker defense is not that good.
DeleteIIRC, Lin was blazing red hot from three that game (I want to say 7/8, but I don't think he was that hot).
DeleteHow repeatable is that on a consistent basis?
Nice to know that he has the talent and capability for that type of offensive outburst, but I don't think you build a team's offense around Jeremy Lin's jump shot.
Op is right. I have noticed that Lin struggles mightily on offense against teams with shot blockers. He needs to trust his j like harden and parson do. He hesitated a lot with taking jump shots and then not doing much if snything when he fakes and gets in the lane. Such indecision makes him look bad and scared.
DeleteYeah he did but he was also on fire from the outside so Parker or whoever was guarding him had to play close which would allow the offensive player to beat the defender off the dribble. The bigs for the Spurs didn't rotate quick enough to stop Lin. This game Lin tried to drive in against Diaw who he should be able to beat easily but instead got his shot rejected. Diaw knew Lin was struggling from the outside so he was ready for Lin's drive to the basket.
Delete42 11-21 4-5 12-12 3 7 2 2 2 38
DeleteWhen has was the last time he was allowed to run point like that?
I love bev rxn when they asked him "so what does it say about the coaching staff to trust u against Parker in the key stretch of the game?"
ReplyDelete.... Loooong pause....Um um....
Lin needs to stop being so friendly.. I could see that bev is hungry.. He wouldn't hesitate to put Lin under the bus if he doesn't watch out..
And lin admitted to doing " not much of anything tonight" but that is the type of attitude that will allow McHake to bench him when he sees fit.
Lin is too nice of a guy to say any negative comments about the coach. I really like to hear the private conversation between McHale and Lin? Although i don't know if they really communicate much. I really do miss D'Antonio. If Lin is in the Laker team, I am sure he will fire up his teammate, not like the current squad
DeleteBeverly was being poliically correct and didn't want to say what he was thinking.
DeleteAnd agreed, Lin needs to stop being such a "nice guy" and be more ruthless and selfish in the sense of playing HIS game and looking for his shot.
In the NBA, nice guys not only finish last, they get elbowed in the head, shoved in the back to the ground, and mocked as having a "ridiculous contract."
Even more relevant, Lin plays his best when he plays with a chip on shoulder with nothing to lose.
JLin needs to play mean with "f*ck you" attitude towards not only his opponents but also anyone else that stands in his way (including Kevin McHale).
That's the only thing that the brutal ruthless world of the NBA respects.
The sooner that JLin understands this reality and behaves accordingly, the better.
As Phil Jackson once put it "This is the NBA: No Boys Allowed."
But to my surprise, Lin didn't look too disappointed at all in the pg I terview.. I think he is just happy they won.
DeleteTo me, it looked like he was so out of rhythm in the first half ( mostly due to not touching the ball) that he played the rest of the game like he didn't want to be the reason for the loss. Maybe he was almost relieved that he didn't play the key stretch and agreed with mchake's decision to stick with bev.
I'm totally with you, Ixy!
Deletewell Jeremy is the guy who puts his team first, rather than his stats. he won't feel bad that he didn't do much anything this game because they won vs a top seeded and consistent Spurs. I'm not happy with this win with my LOF kicking overdrive lol
DeleteTo me, it looked like he was so out of rhythm in the first half ( mostly due to not touching the ball) that he played the rest of the game like he didn't want to be the reason for the loss. Maybe he was almost relieved that he didn't play the key stretch and agreed with mchake's decision to stick with bev"
DeleteI hope that was not Lin's attitude. If it was, that's very troubling. That's the attitude of a D-league scrub who is just grateful to be on the team, not of someone who thinks he deserves to be on the court at crunch time.
And it's an attitude that does not portend future success.
Ixy well said. I also agree. It is not unchristian to be ruthless in competitive sports.,. If u look at all the great players (MJ Kobe even lebron) they all had I'm the best attitude which Jeremy clearly lacks.
DeleteWas there any player like Jeremy who achieved greatness by supporting everyone and always taking the humility, self deprecating approach? I think this may ultimately be his biggest downfall.
Lin is just a team player and put his ego aside after he broke his ankle in High School. Also, Lin hasn't been in the same situation as Kobe, Lebron, or Michael because all those guys were catered to since high school. Even on the Lakers, he might be just as passive when talking about games like this.
Deletecome on @Solidz75. His off court demeanor and his on court demeanor are different. I do see his swagger when he turns it on. He just didn't get the opportunity too much today. He just had an off day. I do like to see his TOs to come down, especially the ones that didn't have much pressure. I think McHale's problem with Lin in my mind is his TOs.
DeleteIn NY, Lin said that he liked the ball at the end of the games, when it mattered most. Why would he look to defer to Bev and be OK with sitting on the bench now? He's not. He's a fierce competitor. He's not an idiot.
DeletePersonally, I think McHale just doesn't think Lin is as good as we might all think he is, especially when he makes the PG defer right away when he crosses half-court. Harden is the franchise player that's going to get paid max, while Lin is still considered the inexperienced PG with a full season as a starter under his belt. I bet McHale didn't like Lin getting that contract either! lol It's easier to undermine a player like that.
DeleteWhat I remember from Lin's early days is that he was so afraid to mess up that he was scared to get called into the game during golden state years.
DeleteI think Mchale, unlike dantoni, is creating an envt where Jeremy is becoming too scared to make mistakes. Such type of atitude doesn't just disappear.
I wonder what Jeremy would've said if someone asked him if he agreed with McHale's decision to go with Beverly. By the way he looked in the pg interview and how he was pointing out his deficiencies (look, he wasn't that bad in the second half) I would say he agrees. Am I wrong?
Bev was just as bad as Lin on Parker. At the end of the game, Parker scored at will on Bev. Then Bev guarded Ginobli, the last couple plays.
DeleteI strongly disagree, Lin could try to force the issue even more but the question is will it jeopardize the team chance to win? If Lin keep playing until the end of 4th quarter attacking and defending hard to close the game, I think the Rockets will lose about 6 points or more. The refs will just kept on cheating and even foul Lin out of the game, those fouls will give the spurs a lot of bonus which is a huge advantage at the end game.
DeleteK smith, that is what is frustrating. Bev played well but Jeremy picked it up in the second half. The Rox didn't win because of bev. if anyone was crucial it was Omer. But ur eyes see what u want to see. I love how McHake doesn't even hesitate to pull Lin after one mistake.
DeleteMy problem with Lin is that he appear to think that he deserves to sit when things are not going his way (ir shots). He still contributed .. With 6 assists and 2 steals!
With a rookie, d leaguer attitude like that McHale won't think twice about sitting him. Lin needs to believe that he is essential part of the team and he gives the Rox the BEST chance to win. If he doesn't, how do u expect McHale to believe that.
Lin needs to stop this being a nice guy routine and act angry and somewhat like an asshole and be selfish because he does not deserve this kind of treatment. He can be one of the greatest guards of all time. I'm not kidding. He needs to call a meeting with McHale and demand he be respected as a player and tell him he doesn't appreciate being treated like shot and that he's a star and if he doesn't play 40 mins a game he wants out next yer and to trade him. Play me or trade me is what Lin needs to tell that fucker MvHale. Such a superb talent being wanted on the bench--unfucking believable that cocksucker McHale gets away with it. If Lin doesn't get the minutes he can't shine, it's as simple as that!!!
DeleteSpencer, word. I think a lot of us are up in arms because he doesn't get the fair opportunities to sine. It is too late in the year to still be having this conversation.
DeleteLin's humility in the end will be downfall. U can be as humble as u want if your coach recognizes your talents but with McHale, he manipulates it as a weakness and places Lin in a crappy situation.
Nice, Asik speaks!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/03/24/Asik032413mp4-2423597
K, trying to understand him but it was noisy. Hmm now I know why he doesn't give many interviews
DeleteFinally!!! Asik's post game interview. I don't believe his excuse that his English is poor...
Deleteor TOO poor.
DeleteHe's got a v deep voice - nice to hear him ... adds to flavor of his good plays!
DeleteJeremy had a bad game and the rockets win. I am still unhappy.
ReplyDeleteI am happy that Rockets are closer to the playoff and that means that Lin will have his 1st playoff experience. But, yup it sucks that Lin didn't contribute much in this game.
DeleteClutchfan Red Alert: LOF!
Delete(just kidding)
:)
Yeah hopefully Lin will play much better next game. It's all good when he doesn't play well and they still win, but when he plays like this and they lose then the blame will be on him.
DeleteYes, I'm glad Lin has a chance to play 20 minutes during the playoffs while Beverely will play the entire 4th quarter. Hopefully if that happens Lin plays amazingly well while the Rockets and Beverly fall flat on their faces.
DeleteYes I'm a LOF. The Rockets are a shitty franchise, I'm just waiting for Lin to play well, get some recognition and play on an exciting team.
Be happy that Roxs are that much closer to the playoffs. That's the best thing for Lin's development.
Deletepeople should stop the LOF joke here. it is not funny. how can i be happy when jeremy had a bad game. In postseason what role jeremy will play for this team? we'll see.
DeletePeople are making fun of you when they use that term. Please don't use it on here.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSorry guys and gals.
DeleteDidn't mean to offend anyone.
People who are afraid to be called a LOF on jeremylin.net need to nut up. Sorry if I don't like the Rockets and want Lin to do well.
Deletei have to admit that i was much happier last week to see the rockets get blown out, yet lin had a great game against the warriors, than to see the rockets win tonight with lin having a subpar game.
DeleteLooking forward, GSW has some easier games than Rox, so anyway, we'll prob have a harder first round because of those unnecessary losses along the way everybody knows about. Lin is in and it'll be a good run.
ReplyDeleteHouston Rockets playoff and seeding odds:
ReplyDeletePlayoff Seeding Odds
Think this win put a bit of pressure on Warriors to win a game they weren't expected to win (IIRC, before this victory, 5 losses down stretch for Rockets and 5 losses for Warriors means tie record and Rockets win tie breaker).
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen 47m
ReplyDeleteNo. RT @PoolManBlake: @Jonathan_Feigen is Beverly threatening the starting spot?
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen 42m
Now. Now. Settle down. Not even close. RT @PoolManBlake: @Jonathan_Feigen this has that dragon Lowry feeling a little bit.
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen 3m
Sometimes, but likely rarely. MT @Oclark38: @jonathan_feigen That was the play of the game. Do you envision Beverly being the closer at PG.
so now JF speaks for coach? will JF ask the same question in coach's postgame interview?
DeleteI didn't see this game, so I can only ask everybody here these questions:
ReplyDelete1) Did the Rockets play good defense on everybody not named "Duncan" or "Parker"?
2) Did Jeremy Lin make Parker work for his shots?
3) Was either team able to go on a major run against the other?
1) It was decent, Parsons and Harden were also missing tons of shot early on. They were both around 4-11 at one point.
Delete2) Yes and I would argue better than Beverley, but PB got hot in the 1st half and made all his FG shots. Lin had 3 TOs and was deferring a lot in the 1st half.
3) Rockets went up as much as 8-10 pts.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Deletei saw the 4th quarter. lin played great defense on parker, but the refs would cheat him by calling bogus fouls. replays showed that lin stayed in front of parker and made no contact on two foul calls. there was one play where duncan went straight to the hoop untouched and uncontested, missed the layup but got a foul call on delfino. you can read delfino's lips "i never touched him!" on the other end, the ref was helping harden get to the line as well.
DeleteJust saw the game on LP knowing the outcome. Lin did great and D on Parker, and didn't get a few calls. It was McHale's right to trade out, but Parker was heating up and they already switched Parsons. It was like an 8-0 run and either you call a time out or make some changes.
DeleteI thought Lin had an amazing 3rd quarter with good choices, dishes, and D. Watch it yourself - he had a good game, within the Rox system. Numbers didn't show because he missed a few, but we won by 1 and I saw many choices Lin made where he could have shot a 2 and gave it to folks on the 3, mostly missing. One though, Del3 put in, so you could say Lin did his part and it was a team win. I'm sure coaching knows this, so anyway, hope that helps. It's great Rox won one that wasn't easy.
Speaking for myself... I begin to appreciate whatever team Lin is on. When he was on the Knick's, I'd start to appreciate certain players on the Knicks like Shumpert. Now that he's on the Rocket's I begin to appreciate certain players like Harden, Parson's, Delfino, etc. So I'm a fan like Lin's a player. Lin makes players around him better, but he also makes me get into whatever team he's playing for.
ReplyDeleteProblem is harden and Lin doesn't have hat connection yet. Lin knows hardens tendencies but can't say that about harden. Matter of fact Lin knows everyone's tendencies but not harden. That's why he's not a good point guard and you see stagnant in offense when he holds on to the ball. His go to moves are iso, drive in no look bounce pass to Asik which is 50/50, and swing it when help defense is closing
ReplyDeleteI meant to say harden is not a good point guard.
DeleteLin has to shoot well regardless! All great players shoot well open or contested! The refs are cheating on him. The coaches don't let him play to his strength as a PG. He has to make shots even he goes other team! The way Rockets play him is disappointed, but he controls his destiny! He just has to be better and better. Seriously, work yourself hard
ReplyDeletethis off-season! Limit those Asian trips! Let's show them in next Pacer game!
No way Lin is going to limit the Asian trips. He's too much of a star in Taiwan, and his fan base still has ways to grow in China. He actually extended his Asia trip this past summer and Lin likes to preach "The Word of God". He did all that in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc.
DeleteThe NBA, Nike Volvo, and other future endorsements want to also milk that Asia money. Rockets are also going to be taking a pre-season trip to Taiwan and the Philippines next season.
Only way Lin limits his Asia trips, is if he ends up playing for Team USA in 2014 or for some reason decides to play for Taiwan at this year's FIBA Asia Championship (which I think he won't since Taiwan doesn't won't win either way).
DeleteRockets probably get bounced out of the playoffs by May. Lin went to Asia around August last season, so he'll have 2-3 months to train. He apparently did that in Asia as well, but hopefully this time he won't be coming off surgery.
yet another trolls bashing Lin Asia trip, seriously you guys don't have anything better to do or what?
Deletelol so just because you don't like their comments, they are suddenly trolls?
DeleteJenny obviously made that comment out of concern, while the response was simply why he wouldn't. There's pros and cons to both sides and if people want to talk about the Asia trip, who cares.
Niu Baller, the topic have been brought out too often from time to time rebutted over and over again. Jeremy trained up to 5 hours a day everyday when he was on the trip and during most of the season even though recovering from knee injury. What I personally don't like is coming out saying like Jeremy was slacking off and make the association that trips to Asia is bad. So not only slander Jeremy's work ethic but also seems to slander Asian fans, seems troll enough to me
DeleteI don't think that was Jenny's intention. I don't think she was trolling, more like she wasn't aware that it's been debated. I also don't see how it's slandering the "Asian fans". Even if it has been debated, 5 hours of training isn't going to be the same as it would be in the USA. His Sparta training certainly isn't located in Asia nor would he able to compete against NBA level players on a daily basis, which he did during the lockout.
DeleteShe brings up a fair point but a point that's better left for discussion in the off-season.
@ Super Lintendo,
DeleteRegarding Team USA, if they are holding the mini-camp this summer for future players in 2014, Lin could possibly get the invite again but we'll see.
I'm glad the Rockets got the win, but it's too bad that McHale's strategy of benching Lin at the end of the game seems justified. I have no problem with coaches benching players for performance/effort as long as they apply it fairly to all players, no double standards or favorites. Obviously, McHale does not apply his rules equally to all his players (for example, Harden has more turnovers/minute than Lin, but McHale will call out Lin for TOs but never Harden).
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I thought Lin played a decent game (even if the box score doesn't show it) and did not deserve to be pulled at the end of the game.
Just when you thought it was safe to come out of the water...
ReplyDeleteAt this point, I'm starting to believe that the trade for Thomas Robinson and Garcia was meant to tank the Rockets for this season. If Morris and Patterson were on the team, the Rockets would much better. TRob is clearly undersized and I don't see his upside yet if there is one.
ReplyDeleteTwo of Lin's TOs involved either getting the ball from DMo or getting the ball to him. All season long Lin has been trying to get the bigs, Asik and DMo, involved and it's coming back to haunt him.
I do see the passing to big man early on, especially to DMo, sometimes he does the kick out to DMo on the corner 3. He did defer a lot more today, A few of the shots, I wish he would just take them.
DeleteRockets are not really a championship contender, so the front office's tactics are to buy players cheap and trade them for a profit (hopefully to buy a superstar in later years).
DeletePP and Morris were showcased and DMo was kept away from other managers' eyes by constant benching. Now it's DMo's turn to be showcased, also Parsons' handles are so poor he can do nothing much except convert points from set ups.
Omer has been fed shots under the paint by Lin in particular (only he has the best bounce pass or no-look pass for Asik to be presented the perfectly weighted ball with protective critical space from defenders) in an attempt to win MIP - which increases his trade value. In a real championship contender team, he'd be a good backup centre.
Also, the big centres Asik and DMo need to convert, otherwise opposing teams will block up the driving lanes or double team Lin and Harden with impunity.
CF trolls laughing at Lin for not being able to contain Parker in the fourth. This is like rubbishing a 100m relay runner for not being able to contain Usain Bolt in his segment.
ReplyDeleteSecondly Spurs contain Harden by double teaming or have monsters in the paint. The commentators even said Delfino was at the end of one of Parker's run but was of not much help to Lin.
Beverly did well in his role but starting PG instead of Lin? LOL WTF SMEH and WEP - wide eyes popping!
They just want to reverse the status quo back. More than a year ago, people would be like "x asian american PG did well in his role but starting PG instead of y african american PG? LOL WTF SMEH and WEP - wide eyes popping!
DeleteThat comment made no sense Rikki M.
DeleteIt actually make sense because it actually did happened before Linsanity and still going on even until now. Social media really helped brought out the dumbest and worst of people
DeleteJeremy Lin is taking up a huge part of my life lol. Between the games and this forum. Is there a Jeremy Lin anonymous anywhere that anyone knows of?
ReplyDeleteDo you mean another forum?
DeleteI am very hook on the Rockets games lately, just to see how Lin does. I can't wait to see him in the playoff. People remember the players's performance during the playoffs. It would show their clutch and mental toughness. I hope Lin will have a good playoff experience.
DeleteNo, I'm just joking. I just need to monitor how I use my time better. Go Jeremy Lin!
DeleteDefinitely , @Batman. Definitely.... :)
DeleteLin will have an explosive playoff experience.
People talked about Lin's poor shooting %, please! Lin had so few shot attempts in so few minutes that he never had the chance to improve that % in game that his % really didn't reflect his true game.
ReplyDeleteTake a look at Parsons. He started off 0/4 at 3 point shooting and at one point 4/11 at overall shooting. Also the man he guarded Leonard scored something like 12 points in 15 minutes at one point. His final shooting % and total points were obtained because he played 45 minutes and could finally find his touch and maybe law of average finally kicked in after so many minutes and touches.
If Parsons got pulled after a few misses and missed assignments just like Lin, you really think he would have got the stats he got?!
Instead of asking what would Parson's stats be if..., why not ask what plan do The Rockets actually have for Lin
DeletePlan for Lin? To be a middle salary, role playing PG next to the stars?
DeleteI can't help but think that Morey wants Parsons' value to "artificially" inflated for both future trade and Morey's personal ROI performance target.
DeleteAll this talk about how Lin isn't capable of carrying a team like Harden is so unbelievable. How soon we forget linsanity or the 38 points he put up on the Spurs by himself without Harden to "help" him.
ReplyDeleteMchale believes in Harden and Parsons, so everything is made to taylor to them. He believes in his STARS to run his offense and trusts them even when they are shooting much lower percentage than Lin.
Some of you have said that trust is earned, well Lin has been trending upwards each month and even after 3 games of stellar play he isn't given the trust that Mchale's stars get. He has one bad mistake, one bad game and he is a scrub again. The truth is that Lin is being mind f@#ked by Mchale.
The game with the Spurs he had a shot to win the game, but Mchale didn't give him the green light like D'antoni did when Lin sank the 3 to win the game against Toronto. I can tell you from personal experience that when you are in the zone, it only takes a slight bit of doubt to take you out of it. The out come of that Spurs game could have been a win instead of a loss had Lin been given the trust to play and remain in the zone like he was.
John Wooden is one of my favorite coaches. One of my favorite quotes from him is that good coaches learn to adjust to his players and never expects that everyone of his players will adjust to him. As a Christian himself, faith and trust in his players was an extension of his beliefs. His success in coaching was in part due to his ability to instill good values and strong character in his players.
The Denver, Memphis and Indiana don't depend on stars, they play as a team. The Houston fans are being sold a lot of sizzle. harden will not get to shoot all the fouls shots he gets once the playoffs begin because the refs will try not determine the outcome of the game. Without Lin attacking the rim, they have no one else on the team that can create shots. The Rox will be relegated to shooting low percentage well contested 3s.
I like your mind fucked analogy. Never sold on McHale & gang and never will
DeleteCall it stubborn by coach or call it an unwritten rule among most nba teams. Even if Lin shot 10/10 and Harden was 1/10, the ball would still go to Harden in crunch time because Harden is regarded as the max salary star while Lin is regarded as a middle salary role player.
DeleteIt's not just the Rockets either. It happened to many teams.
I'm fine with the bumps along the road. As long as I know Jeremy will rise to the top, I will remain as his fan, forever!
ReplyDeleteIt's a reply meant for your post above, Super Lintendo.
DeleteI have stated in the past that athletes must have a delusional perception of what they are capable of. A sports psycologist once interviewed a collegiate player who was a 50% shooter who was having a horrible game, making nothing all night. Somehow his team still managed to have the last shot to win the game. His coach wanted to give the ball to one of the other players. This player immediately protested and insisted in taking the last shot. He made the shot and won the game. When asked by the sports psycologist how he could know he could make that shot when he didn't make a thing all night, the player said that since he is a 50% shooter, he just knew he was due to make the next one because the odds were in his favor. The sports psycologist asks him, what if he was making everything that night already, would he have still asked for the ball at the end? The athlete replied that when he is hot, he expects that he'll be in the zone until the end of the game.
ReplyDeleteThis is how Harden thinks., it is totally illogical and delusional but great athletes believe in creating their own destiny. They BELIEVE in order to change reality to their own making. This is the reason why great coaches must instill faith in their players because it is too easy for the player to be dislodge from their own self belief in the heat of battle.
As a fan of Lin, I know that his reality is being created by his own coaching staff to instill doubt. I ask that all of us support Lin with our own delusional belief in him.
Funny now just telling someone they matter makes all the difference.
DeleteI remember reading about this in this forum before. Thanks for reminding me. Good point. Sometimes the good athletes have a will to get the ball in the hole I am a big fan of Tiger Woods, when it counts the most, he has a way to will the golf ball into the hole to make the winning putt. MJ is similar in that way. I wish JLin can become that way one day. Although we did witness that in the Linsanity days in the game against the Raptors. I don't remember how many times I watch the replay
DeleteJLin is too nice a guy to make his own destiny.
DeleteI know he is "playing for God" etc etc but sometimes just sometimes I wish he would just take matters into his own hands. Bump heads with the coach, ask for opportunities, scream at teammates that keeps dropping his passes and gets him TOs, etc.
I see this all the time at work: given two people with the same skills and same work ethics, the guy who actively pushes for more opportunities gets handed them while the guy who is passive gets passed up, because people simply assume they are happy at what they are doing, and the passive guy wonders why the active guy gets promoted faster than he does.
A leader takes charge, a follower just does what he's told. I sure hope Lin is taking matters into his own hands and not just happy with his 25m.
Kenoshi. You said it perfectly.
DeleteI think he should just play for himself, and stop with all this nice guy stuff. It's not getting him anywhere on and off the court.
He should know why nice guys finish last, it's because everyone walks over them.
Whether you believe it or not , Jeremy Lin's life is a tapestry of all things (good and the bad , ups and downs , high and lows , name it...) , that will someday lead to a beautiful display of how the human spirit triumphed against all the odds. He is a work in progress. 'Just , we all wait and see..
DeleteBob c, great point. But I also share Kenoshi's sentiments.
DeleteThe question is not about us being high in Lin, but Lin believing and being high on himself. Also some may call it humility, I really didn't like Jeremy's everything is cool demeanor in the post game conference ...praising Bev while criticizing himself for having done nothing ( when in fact he did play much better in the second half). It almost seemed like Jeremy didn't disagree with mchake's decision to bench him at the end.
Jeremy should believe that he is an indispensable part if the team and should've been pissed at McHale for giving the team a less chance at winning by taking him out.
If he doesn't see himself that way and feels that he "deserves" to sit out 4th quarter if his shots are not falling then he will never become the player we hope him to be. Worse yet, he will continue to be treated like this and taken advantage of.
@ Kenoshi and unlimited
DeleteI have been advocating for Lin to shoot the ball each time he gets a pass for a long time because I believe his "purpose" is to remain in the game as long as possible. To that end he must show case his own abilities in order to find another team should the Rox decide that they don't have any plans for him. I've been saying he should just shoot at least 15 times every game.
I have been called cynical, but it have recognized that his coach doesn't want him to be a PG that uses his creativity to make plays. Mchale wants his system to produce the shots. Lin needs to accept this fact and stop trying to set up his other teammates. His role on this team is to move without the ball, create space for himself and hope to get a pass to post up and shoot. Lin has to change that mindset and know what he is being asked to do and make use of the situation. Work on his post up shots and shoot once he gets the ball, without ever thinking about anything else. This isn't being a bad guy or even a selfish guy. Being a nice guy has nothing to do with accepting what he is being asked to do. In a way, Lin being unselfish is actually being selfish because he is doing what he wants and not what Mchale wants. As wrong as Mchale's system is, Lin must be a " good" team player and execute the coach's game plans.
Lin may feel guilty if he thinks that he is being selfish by just shooting. He is conflicted with what he is used to doing, just as your comment that he is being too nice a guy indicate that you too believe he is doing something wrong. In this case, he is being more selfsih if he tries to create shots for others because that is no longer his role. Lin is a shooting guard. He may feel that the coach is wrong and that it goes against everything in his inner belief of how to play basketball. Mchale wants Lin to be a robot like Beverly. Mchale just proved it tonight that his PG is just a robotic delivery boy for Harden.
Lin just needs to put up good enough numbers to find another team in a couple of years. Learn to post up and keep shooting until Mchale take him out. Just accept that his creativity is not needed by Mchale, only his shooting, so just shoot. Just clear your mind of any other responsibility and shoot.
@solidz75
DeleteI think lin's reaction is just Lin being Lin. I'm sure inside he is fuming. If you've played sports, you'll know that opponents that play head games with you can really get under your skin. I've gotten so mad that I try too hard to beat up on them and wind up fouling out myself. Having succumb to being mind f@#k in games myself, I know that the best way to deal with it is to pretend nothing can make me mad. Not the easiest thing to do and I've failed at it more than I'd care to remember. In a way that ticks them off even more when they can't get you riled up and the table eventually turns on them.
One of the great lessons Bruce Lee gave was to a student after he had lost a match. He drew a line on the ground and ask the student how he could make that line shorter. The student kept giving suggestions like folding it in half or cutting it. Bruce finally drew another longer line next to it to illustrate a point. He said that instead of trying to reduce your opponent's skills, it's best to lengthen your own line by working on improving your own skills. Once your line is longer, then your opponent's line becomes short.
Lin in his own self belief doesnt fear a challenge from anyone. This we must assume from how he has repeatedly met every challenger with his best. He is fearless because he relishes the opportunity to meet every challenge. Instead of fearing it, he uses it as motivation to lengthen his own line.
Lin is not naive. There will be a time for all that but not now, not in public, and most certainly not when the team is in playoff push. As much as I hate to say this, we just need to wait a little bit longer to see how this played out in the end
DeleteBob thanks for the long and detailed response. I also like the Bruce lee quote.
Deleteobviously, we all would like to believe how u describe Lin. However, I think his public acceptance of the situation and this belief that he needs to change will end up hurting him. I have given up the hope that Lin will get his chance to contribute this year. He is being groomed into being a small cog while harden takes the engine role.
I just hope things get better next year because if I see Lin getting marginalized like this over and over, I think I ll just stop watching all together. It would be too frustrating to see.
Bob C F Chan,
DeleteYour opening post is absolutely right. Not just Harden but many other good shooter are the same way - including Parsons. All players also adjust their poor shots as time goes, which is why it's unfair to not give Lin the same opportunity as the other starters. Between McHale's unfair treatments of Lin and him trying to break Lin's confidence all season, Lin should ask to buyout his contract, as soon as the Rockets current season is over.
I absolutely detest the buyout idea in which Lin loses millions of dollars for nothing.
DeleteOnly one way way for Lin to fight thru the abuse, keep at taking the rim, take high percentage shots, control turnover, tough D, make plays. Yes! He has to perform like an all star every game in the playoffs or I predict Bev will get more min and not just ending the 4th. But if he plays well and still get short leashes then I hope we lose every game regardless sadly how much Lin wants Rox to win because I can't stand people think Bev is better all the time. I'm convinced that Mcgail does not think Lin deserve to be a starter! I would not mind Bev to start and get exposed before the playoffs. I like Bev but he is being developed so much more as a back up then our starter!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, but remember that very shooter will have a bad day. I think as long as he is playing his brand of balls and keep improving, he will do fine.
DeleteJlin can score 38 once, twice, he can do it three times and more... I believe in him;
ReplyDeleteJlin had linsanity level of play, he has the ability to do it again and again, I believe in him;
Go JLin!
Ditto! I believe in JLin 1001%.
DeleteHe didn't just burst out of the world stage for nothing. The kid's destined for GREAT things!
Ok. Saw this game in replay - not real time - glad I did not waste my time. Refs totally cheated Lin and it changed the game. 2nd game in a row calling phantom calls - Lin gets near Parker and they call foul. Lin gets hacked every game and no foul.
ReplyDeletePlus in the 1st quarter they did not pass to Lin and they never let him get going. Harden passed it to Lin with 2 seconds left and caused a miss by Lin and a turnover by Lin. I want to see him on another team. This just sucks
Could you share your league pass account? :P
DeleteJeremy you have to stick it to McHale in no uncertain terms. Be selfish, angry and demanding. Tell that ugly asswipe, either 'play me or trade me.' Even Mozgov from Denver has had enough of Karl and wants out. He could give a hoot about the team winning because he wasn't playing and his development has been stunted. Same for Lin. His development, leadership, and pure basketball skills are being sabotaged by that bastard McHale. He needs to take that big gorilla aside and tell him he's not happy and he wants out after this year if things don't change right now. Believe me Lin has power but he needs to use it. No matter what Lin may say outwardly, he's seething inside because he doesn't want to be a non- contributor in a win. I'm sure the win dep down he could care less about if he's not an essential contributor. I know I would want to produce of otherwise I'd feel like it was an empty win.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Agree! In order for the mistreatment of Lin to have continued THIS LONG (all season; from the very bigining when they knew his knee wasn't fully rehabbed), Morey has to be in on it with McHale.
DeleteLin's situation with the Rockets is unprecedented for a starter. The Mozgov situation in Denver is a lot more mild, because he's not the starter.
The flow of this game from the start was not in Lin's favor. He barely touched the ball the entire first half. They should work to get him going.
ReplyDeleteI am no longer watching games live. Only in replay so I don't have to waste time. Plus now the refs are clearly biased. Whether it is subconscious or conscious it really says a lot about who they are
they are shameless crooks!
DeleteOK, I'm utterly overly consumed after this game. I promise myself and you all, I won't post as much(not that anyone of you cares), but I really have to conserve my energy to watch the remaining games of the regular season and, hoepfully playoffs too.
ReplyDeleteStay strong Jeremy!
Well this is my prediction. I don't think Jeremy is that naive and he and his crew know how he is being straight disrespected by McHale. However, the worst thing he can do us create a situation where his dissatisfaction with the team will create a distraction when they are trying to get into the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteI think Jeremy's crew will let this season play out and address this issue in the off season. I just can't see him being satisfied with his current role when we as fans are all up in arms about it. I doubt that things will be the same in the second year.. Or Lin would want out.
This is at least my prediction .. My hope for some change.
And in the mean time I expect things like today will happen including the playoffs. Absolutely nothing will change with McHale current use of Lin.
DeleteLin will play out his contract and then bolt unless traded first...he is in a lose/lose situation if he whines or cries because he was the undrafted Asian American miracle, still seen as a scrub by most.
DeleteThe Rockets aren't changing his role anytime soon so the sooner you come to that acceptance, the better for your stress levels.
If he complained on any level in any way, he would be seen as being ungrateful and "big headed" and "delusional." He would be crucified in the media and the Rox FO would leak negative press about Lin whining for a bigger role yet not being capable of it to keep him in his place.
Look what happened when Lin, in what I feel was a mistake, mentioned aloud that race may have affected his trajectory into the NBA and how he was treated on the court his entire bball career. People in the USA just don't like to hear that crap because it's true.
The idiots on ESPN First Take couldn't wait to complain that Lin was all hype and getting big money and deals and media coverage only because he was in fact Asian & that Lin should acknowledge that more so than any BS he had to deal with in getting to the stage of Linsanity.
The media including ESPN couldn't wait to spin Lin's comments and take it out of context and make it about Lin being over-hyped because he was the lone Asian guy in the NBA.
Lin is not an all world talent who can overwhelm the opposition on his own without some help/team play and being able to dominate the ball (only Lebron is such a player) and it would be easy, like it is now, to make Lin look like a forgettable average Joe like in today's Spurs game if the coaches limit his minutes and his role.
So imagine him complaining in any real capacity...he would be crucified from ESPN to CNN to NBA blogs to bball forums...he would alienate his team and his teammates too.
Yes Lin gets that he is being pushed into a limited role. Yes Lin knows he is capable of more. But the NBA is a business. It's not recreational pickup basketball. He has to do what he's paid to do, and unless he can show he is the next coming of Isiah Thomas or force the issue in games, he isn't going to get to play his style of game, and he knows it.
I wish he would have done more in the Spurs game in getting stats, but he was focused on winning the way the coaches drew it up, which was getting Harden and Parsons the ball and having everyone else get the heck out of the way unless they got a pass from 1 of those 2 guys...it was an important game for the team so I think he sucked it up for the good of the team.
There will be little change until his contract is up and/or if they trade him before then.
I'm telling you, just accept it like I have otherwise you are just stressing yourself out like the rest of these Lin supporters on here.
In today's game, I knew Lin would get scrub minutes, but I was disappointed the Rox went back to the Lin pass off and hide in the corner offense and that Lin went along with it completely. It's painful to watch and I was expecting his usage to regress to such pathetic levels today from start to finish...
I can only imagine how tough it is for those who still hold the false belief that Lin will get to lead this team or dominate the ball anytime soon...sure he'll have some more 20 point games, but he'll have his 4 points games just the same as well as the 4Q benchings...it will only get worse in the playoffs.
thank you swing for being voice of reason
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteConflict with Christianity in Lin's Mind? There shouldn't be any conflict.
ReplyDeleteLin needs to realize that being a good Christian and being ruthless on the pro basketball court ISN'T mutually exclusive: If he thinks he's going by the Bible, he shouldn't take things out of context/shouldn't be selective. If he were to go war for his country, IT'S HIS JOB to kill or be killed!
I'm so tired of Lin's MISGUIDED attitude and/or philosophy of what he thinks is the right perspective. On the other hand, I really think Lin has CONFIDENCE PROBLEM because the Rockets organization has jerked him around like a tumbleweed from the get go (with a 3- pronged attack: via words, attitudes and action).
Any player with self-respect would have demanded a trade, rather than just thinking about how he might come across as a "witness" for Christ or to the public. The latter isn't the biggest deal since he chooses to do so few endorsements. Besides, I think that most people would think he's COOL to demand a trade under the circumstances; right now, most people think he's a STUPID and passive Harvard grad who lets others - especially McHale - walk all over him.
An idea...
DeleteLin should refuse to play in the 4th quarter now on. If he gets ripped for insubordination, he should say to Mchale "Then trade me!" and "Be consistent and bench Me in the 4th quarter ALL THE TIME why don't you!"
Stop living through Lin and live for yourself. You'll live longer that way.
DeleteIf Lin is legit, he will find a way one day to make it, on the Rox or another team. Just don't expect it to happen overnight.
Lin is not a world beater on his own and the Rockets want him to be a role player, so just understand that.
If you want Lin to be the lead star guard on a team, wait till 2015 and see what happens then and pray he gets a shot at it and that someone out there wants him in that role...
Hahahaha.... That will be a failed strategy for certain, imo.
DeleteIf Lin stand pat and passive, he will not be seen as a Starting PG and no team will want him as a starter - only as a backup and for cheap! A terrible idea.
swinglinezigzag,
DeleteYour advice is the wrong one, IMO.... because allowing the current course to run through and pass until Lin's contract is over, is to ignore the fact that Lin's production UNDER Mchale will generally remain VERY LOW. WHICH MEANS, he will not have many takers (maybe not any) STARTER for 2015 season. Don't forget that, by then (at the ripe old basketball age of 27), Lin will likely NO LONGER BE SEEN as a player with an upside.
An Asian American undrafted guard who barely made the NBA and exploded via Linsanity cannot demand a trade or act out. Honestly, I assume you weren't born in the USA or live in the USA or had a lot of actual exposure to mainstream American culture/people even if you live in the USA.
DeleteLin would be crucified if he did anything other than know his role.
He has to show out in his 20-25 minutes a game. That is his ONLY short term play. He didn't do so today so it's on him and you can all see what happened.
Even under extreme circumstances and large consequences at stake, like in today's game, he has to find a way in these games to be dynamic and not let the Rox take it away from him even if he has to play Russian Roulette with Mchale, his teammates, and the Rox FO.
Nobody can demand that of him. I sure can't. I'm just saying that's his only play...I'm not sure any current all-star put in Lin's role could excel or turn the tides to make it painfully clear to everyone how badly he is being used aside from a few guys like CP3 and Dwill. Lin's been able to do it here and there but not obviously enough.
zrta, I am on the same page as you. Lin cannot stand pat - with that I agree. However, his only play is to let his game do the talking for him. Nothing else but that can keep him relevant...
DeleteThe Rockets want him to be a role player, but that doesn't mean he has to play that way when he can help it. That's all I'm saying. It's tough because for him to show out, he probably has to break his coaches' orders and play outside the team's circle of rules. So you can imagine he's in a tough position to get stats vs. help the team win in a scrubby Steve Blake, Derek Fisher, Avery Johnson role.
If Lin were left to play through a mediocre first half (like Harden and parsons - and even Beverly and previously Douglas - are given the change all the time), Lin's production will even out like for Harden and Parsons..... I've seen a numerous times where Harden's stats were terrible for the first half. And then he got warm and got into his rhythm and adjusted his shots from his many muscle-memory mistakes, and then wound up the best performer. McHale-Sampson NEVER GAVE LIN THAT KIND of OPPORTUNITY. In fact, you were all witnesses to the fact that whenever Lin's stats were very good in the first half, McHale has made sure (most of the time) that Lin doesn't add any more good stats to his. I remember one time in such a situation, Lin added ONE TO to his stat in the 2nd half, and NOTHING ELSE. And it wasn't Lin's doing; McHale's subbing pattern manipulated the outcome. I saw first hand, the Lin-hating McHale, as the coach, CAN DO THAT. !!! It has happened a number of times (about 10 or so).
DeleteThe trade deadline has passed for the season. The only thing Lin can control is playing smart defense and scoring more on offense. These single digit games need to stop. The other stuff he can't worry about because, it's out of his hands.
DeleteWhat in the world are you talking about now? What you said is completely true, but what does that have to do with ANYTHING?
DeleteThe Rox view Lin as a role player, get that through your head already....they don't view him as Parsons and Harden. They dont even view him as DOUGLAS!
When will you realize this?
They view Lin as a marginal scrub who the owner forced onto the team.
Thus, as I mentioned many times, Lin's 1 and only play is to kick ass in his 20-25 minutes a game. And I am referring to his offensive stats and defensive steals stats. He has no room for error unlike these other teammates. He has to play killer ball, and this double standard, if Lin can overcome it, will make Lin that much of a better player, even though Mchale would probably prefer to see Lin crumble and flame out.
Serious ztrta, you are well intentioned, but beating a dead horse.
xgametheory,
DeleteWe all know the trade deadline was Feb 15..... but it goes to show that Lin was again naive to think that things will get better. He SHOULD HAVE asked for a trade a long before the trade deadline!..... At this point, i think a good option is to buy out his contract, so that he wouldn't be traded to a totally loser team and have at least some choice. A PLAYER SO TREATED WILL NOT BE KEPT IN THE TEAM. Mark my words.... Hint Hint: A BUYOUT a la Aaron Brooks.
Ztrta, can you stop the buyout stuff? Do you even how the rule works?
DeleteEven Lin doesn't care about the money, and does the improbable to buy out his own contract. He would be be waiver and picked up by whichever team, not a team of his choice.
Aaron Brooks can go to the Rockets because no one picked him up at waiver. Also I am sure you want Lin to sit on the bench as a 3rd PG like Brooks. Stupid.
Also nba basketball is Lin's job. He's there to earn money. He worked hard to earn his 25 millions. He's not there to give up his money so he can play at minimum contract to please you and fullfill your ego. Lin always works for a higher salary, now a lower one, just like you and me with our own jobs. Just stop your madness.
DeleteIf you think money is not important, you can always feel free to give your hard earned money to all of us BTW.
I agree with ztrta.
DeleteThere are 2 schools of thoughts for Asian Americans. One school calls out blatant double standards and discrimination for Asian Americans in college admissions for example. Asian Americans have to be better in all aspects for the same change of admission because there is a r.acist quota.
On the other hand, other "typical" Asians, instead of fighting this systemic and societal prejudice or beliefs that there are "too many Asians" in college, by forcing their kids to work even harder, study even more, become even more of a tool, to fit into the ridiculous and competitive quotas all over the country.
The combative path, over time, actually improves things for other Asian people. The weak path is just to say you HAVE to perform better in order to have the same opportunity as everyone else. That is just BS. Double standards should be called out.
I would LOVE if Jeremy Lin one day just left the bench after an inexplicable 4Q benching and just went to the locker room. Create a story out of it like Rubio and Gasol did.
Jeremy Lin doesn't need to get a buyout. He already has a big guaranteed contract, which gives him leverage. If he made it an issue it would definitely put PRESSURE on McHale and Sampson who have much less leverage as mediocre coaches who are easily fired.
DeleteThe solution is so simple. It's been suggested by MTerry, Ebattorney and I'm sure some others. Lin has to look to score more. Paasing is truly secondary. Otherwise he's just warming his own seat on the bench.
ReplyDeleteBefore it was about being able to play point for the team. This time it's just about being on the floor when the game is on the line. If Lin thinks the team is better served with himself on the bench and Bev playing then he should just say so. A lot of us would just quit watching. We have other things to do than follow a second rate player. Those guys are a dime a dozen in the nba.
The blueprint has been set by McHale and Morey at the start of the season. Harden is the man. No Linsanity. Lin is purely a singles and doubles hitter. Lin is a situational role player. All this talk of how Lin is such a great leader is delusional. Leaders don't sit on the bench during crunch time.
It has been shown that defense cannot keep him on the court. Defense is not enough. Besides sometimes offense is just better than defense. That's when you have to score on them back.
Is Lin going to sit back play his role and see Bev take over in the 4th quarter? I hope not.
This game confirms something we already knew. McFail already puts more trust in Patrick Beverly than JLin. It's been this way even before the All Star break, he will find every reason to give Beverly more minutes and let him play the 4th quarter. Unless Beverley is playing terrible or is in foul trouble ... we won't see much Lin in the 2nd half. That's the decision that has already been made.
ReplyDeleteJLin is not helping himself either. Idk what has gotten into him this past few games, but he looks like a mediocre rookie player these last 2 games. He's jumping in the air to shoot then changes his mind to pass the ball and turns it over. In the 4th he had trouble guarding Ginobili and took his eyes off to allow an open 3-pointer and gambled for a steal allowing Ginobili to drive and dish.
He allowed Parker to get past him several times in the 4th. He was standing too close to Parker on the perimeter, apparently afraid that Parker was going to hit 3-pointers in his face like Irving or Lillard.
Idk what it was: Maybe Lin was too distracted about his alma mater Harvard winning a NCAA tournament game.
Maybe he has been fasting and going without any food for several days, as many super-religious Christians do to observe the Passover holiday.
We will never know why he is playing so bad lately, but I for one hope he turns it around.
Blackie Chan wrote:
Delete"He's [Lin] jumping in the air to shoot then changes his mind to pass the ball and turns it over."
- - - - - - -
Yes, we've seen Lin do that a lot. Hesitation bluff jump shot is the worse thing he can do, BECAUSE it wastes a shot clock time and gives opponents a time to reposition themselves. And if he were to actually take the shot AFTER hesitating, he'd surely miss. A great shooters like Harden NEVER hesitate!..... But in all fairness, I feel that Lin does that (pretending to shoot and changing his mind and then passing) DUE to LACK OF CONFIDENCE - *AND* his lack of confidence is because of the way he's been treated by the Rockets; and he's afraid of missing too many shots or making mistakes, which is a form of negative visualization or negative self-fulfilling. prophecy. It's a bad situation.
I meant to add:
DeleteI feel that Lin pretends to shoot and then not shoot because he doesn't want to be perceived as being afraid to take shots and then makes it seem like the defense got to him too quickly for him to shoot unforced, and then passes, in hopes of at least helping out the team in another way. Lin is stressed and afraid to fail BECAUSE of the the way the Rockets "basketball minds" have shown that they don't believe in him.
Blackie, what the heck are you bashing Lin about?
DeleteYou think Lin played poor defense on Ginobili when Ginobili only scored 3 points all game long?
You also think Lin played bad defense on Tony Parker who no team can truly stop when he runs that high pick and roll with Duncan? Patrick Beverley got lit up too.
And you criticize Lin for not being needed in a 30 point Rockets win while actually being needed in this victory against the best team in the West?
CNM Jeremy Lin YouTube commentary said McHale's gambit with Bevereley almost backfired, but because we won, no one cares (just like Deron Williams lighting up Lin from three point range in recent Brooklyn Nets game, no one ultimately cares because we won).
DeleteAlso commented on how great Spurs defense is this year, and how the seem to be able to recover like the Miami Heat.
CNM Jeremy Lin YouTube channel Commentary for Spurs game
Also remember this article I glanced at previously about how Miami Heat used misdirection to slice and dice up Indiana's elite defense:
How the Miami Heat Used Misdirection to Slice and Dice Indiana's Elite Defense
Comments about Spurs great defense this year, and how to beat it, start at 18:30 mark of CNM Jeremy Lin You Tube channel.
Delete21:30 mark: weakness of great defense such as Miami or Spurs, and to lesser extent OKC.
DeleteThis game James had to bull his way into defense, create contact, and get to foul line to score.
But Lin's playmaking ability (drive, draw and dish or drive and kick off of dribble drive penetration), not his individual scoring ability per se, can really get ball moving and get all teammates involved and add an extra gear of explosiveness to offense.
But if team isn't making outside shots, and Jeremy is cold from outside, well obviously Spurs can just pack the paint and take away that extra gear of explosiveness Lin adds to offense. Lin wasn't really able to get out in transition to create easy scoring opportunities for teammates, either.
When Jeremy is rolling, seems like teammates are also really moving their bodies and not just standing around and watch James or Jeremy dribble ball.
49:30 mark: extended comments on McHale's Beverley gambit and how it almost blew up in his face.
DeleteAnother overlooked fact about Lin's ability to win games even if he doesn't have a great offensive outing:
ReplyDeleteLin will drag some player down with him.
This game the great Manu Ginobili was held to 3 points.
Lin has a tremendous effect on team defense because of his ability to stick with his man. It makes it much harder for a player like Ginobili to attack the gaps created by Tim Duncan.
If my memory serves me correctly, Steve Nash gained a lot of self confidence by leading the Canadian Olympic basketball team single handedly in getting to the quarters one year. It was proof to himself and everyone in the world that he is a difference maker. No one believed that Canada could even get into the Olympics when all they had was Nash. He carried the whole team on his shoulders.
ReplyDeleteLin has proven already that he can lead a team by his own talent. We are all equally guilty in allowing the mass media to brain wash us into believing other wise.
Christmas 2011, Mchale sent an early Christmas present to Lin by cutting him. How low he must have felt to be so cruely treated. Mchale is out to prove that he wasn't wrong in making that cut and costing Les $25 mil.
Lin's whole career is a testament of the power of his faith. Look closely at the miracle of Linsanity and the convergence of events that needed to take place in order for Lin to be thrusted into the role of savior for the Knicks and you have to scratch your head pretty hard to believe it. The power of Tiger Woods or MJ.to will in a shot or putt is nothing compare to the power of lin's belief to will into reality linsanity.
Christians all must deal daily with personal doubt with their faith. In our modern times, we are constantly bombarded with the idea that our lives have no meaning. Doubt is the zeitgeist of our time, faith in our purpose and our underlying goodness is considered to be an anachronism. Compared to the amount of doubt Lin has had to deal with and still have the grace and dignity to rise above it all, that should tell us how incredible his faith and will is.
Believing is the key to opening the door to your destiny.
Lins current taken over late in the fourth by Bev is no surprising to most of us as it happened to Lin when TD was here. I'm truly convince and I am curious to know how many of us on this forum believe like I do that Mcgail never gave a damn about Linsanity (he publicly pretty much admitted that), and think Lin was and is just a "flash in a Pan", not a solid starter material in the NBA, and could be easily replacable with a back up guard, such as Beverly, who is pretty much NBA rookie and 'unproven'. This is a testament that McGail never trusted Lin and will never do, and since he is not an experienced or proven coach, it just makes the situation for Lin even worse. It just hit me recently that the biggest Lin-douber or lin hater in the basketball world is his own coach, and i would be with my house, if it up to him, he would not only choose any back-up guard over lin, yes, even Aroon Brook (I think he will sooner later cut Lin's minute, which is gonna be an uproar on lin fans, but he rather Rockets did not sign Lin. Why I may say this? Well, the evidence is justs overwhelming. MCGAIL IS LINS NO.1 DOUBTER AND HATER!LOT WORSE THAN STEPHEN A. SMITH. SUCH A PATHETIC REVELATION ON MY PART.
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify, I'm not totally upset with the benching especially when Bev was able to pretty much do most of the things that Lin was capable of doing in this game, and better on the offensive end in the first quarter and earned his playing minutes. What I am pissed is not the 4th quarter late benching because Lin could not contain Parker and make couple bad plays and shots, but Im mad about subbing out Lin the final 2 or 3 minutes of the 2nd quarter with Bev having 3 fouls already, this move pretty much told me Mcgail thinks Lin is "USELESS" out there and would rather risk the chance of BEV fouling out earlier down the stretch. Since Lin will never to be allowed to play through his mistakes and climb the learning curve under Mcgail, and his shackled to the extent that he is "afraid" to play his style and free, I am all for a trade to even lesser team where he may not lead the mediocre talent to playoff, but he enjoys his style of play, and still build his value.
ReplyDeleteI can understand why McHale subs out Lin for a foul addled Beverley.
DeleteThe refs hate Lin and thus cheat him far more than they do Beverley, so the more minutes Bev plays the less Lin gets into foul trouble.
The dynamic is like this: Even with refs tanking on Lin, Lin usually can get enough done to get the lead and hold it. Beverley comes in once Lin's gotten that lead, and usually the lead shrinks. In comes Lin, and the lead goes back up.
Occasionally Beverley will have a game where he shoots well. When Lin gets benched on thise occasions, it's not because Lin was not playing well but because Beverley had the hot hand.
So why not leave Lin IN when he gets hot? Because the refs cheat Lin on fake fouls and so Lin is like a ticking time bomb for foul trouble.
Even though I love Lin's game and would play him as many minutes as I could if he were my player, I'd probably have him on the court for exactly the same amount of minutes as he's getting right now because of the refs cheating him. I'd limit his minutes not to muzzle his game, but to make sure the refs didn't saddle him with fake fouls and knock him and thus the Rockets out of the game entirely.
@SGUO It seems pretty consistent that McHale has been a JLin doubter. Cut him the first time without allowing him many reps. Narrow scope of usage. Limited minutes. Limited minutes in crunch time. Statements about JLin expected to be 'solid' and should not be a home run hitter.
DeleteHowever, it also seems to me that the PG in McHale's system is simply to provide a spark. Once the team starts getting outscored, the other PG comes in. That to me explains why McHale swaps PB and JLin in and out.
Saw the game with LP. Looks to me that JLin's task for the game is to stop TParker which he was able to do except for the 4th Q. It's a good experience for him.
ReplyDelete@khuang
ReplyDeleteAs much I totally agree the refs are tanking Lin 80 percent of time by no calls or bad calls, I don't think Mcgail gives a damn about that and takes Lin out because of that. If he thinks your way then Lin should get even fewer minutes of play time and he would be arguing every Lin related no calls. I love your analysis and hope it is the case but it is too little too late for me to give Mcgail any benefit off doubts anymore. Lin will never thrive under Mcgail period!
@wilc, thanks for replying. I know what your are saying and hope that is not true because if it is, then it is the end of Lin's development under the rockets and coach because that's is not a system Lin will thrive and will alwaysand under used
This game was all about coaching and making adjustments from the previous meetings. Pop is clearly a better coach than McHale may ever will be. The game came down to the last seconds with James Harden making a shot at the end. It is more credit to James Harden than McHale. JLin is learning the ups and downs of the NBA year. The refs suck at calling games, and generally seem to be against Lin. We'll see what happens in the Playoffs. I hope the Rockets keep James Harden and JLin back court together for a long time and buy out McHale's contract and put a real head coach back to steer the ship.
ReplyDeleteI was listening to a radio show Saturday on NPR. It was about how old people are easily scammed for their money by tricks such as when they're told they won a lot of money but had to prepay taxes in order to get the winnings.
ReplyDeleteThe elderly, say Mark, will pay for the tax but never receive his winnings. People will tell Mark that he's stupid. Will Mark listen? In most cases, other elderly people will continue to be scammed because they want to prove to the people who called them stupid that they are smart.
And, if only one of these scams turned out to be true, then Mark can say to all his doubters that he is smart all along. That's why someone like Mark will continue to fork his money over to each and every scam that he's faced with.
The above serves as my attempt to explain what is going on. You have three characters who will continue to prove that they've been right all along.
Morey will continue to try to prove that his strategies are the right ones. He will continue to institute the run and gun, read and react, high risk high rewards type of basketball as well as treating young players like poker chips even when he's proven wrong.
McHell will continue to utilize his eye test, favor his sons and refuse to give "scrubs" a second look even when he's proven wrong.
Jeremy will continue to play his heart out and belieivng that what happens on the floor will speak for itself. If that's the case, Jeremy has been speaking up pretty loud since his stats since January has been Linsanity-esque. And, surely, Houston will start to value Jeremy, but we're proven wrong.
But, wait! Jeremy's not been talking much if his past two games were speaking for Jeremy. Is it just something as simple as a couple of bad shooting games?
Or is there some other dynamic going on?
He didn't take many shots, but he made lots of very good passes in the first quarter. Lin was on ball for much of the first quarter. But, after he missed one shot, he's back in the no man land corner before getting subbed out.
He didn't hit a shot all night until he made one FG in the 4th. How did he act after he made that shot? He was jumping around with his chest stuck out like he just drained a game winner.
How does Jeremy look during other games where he has bad shooting games, turning the ball over and benched early? He looked pissed and anti social.
How did he look during the game yesterday even after he turned the ball over at the end of the third quarter where he was asked to come in with 20 seconds left? He was laughing it up.
This is not the Jeremy of old. Something snapped. Jeremy is refusing to be Mark? He's going through a mind funk where he's realizing that what he does on the court doesn't speak for him anymore? He's no longer paying it forward since he knows there's nothing he can do that will make Houston FO see value in him?
Jeremy's usage has always been peaks and valleys with McHell. When the team is winning, McHell goes back to his old self of not disciplining the team. When the team loses, defense drill and passing drills as well as expecting Lin to save his job!
Yesterday, we saw for the first time that Houston won against a good team without relying on their best play maker. Morey and McHell is proving to the world that they've been right and we've been wrong all this time?
Well, no. Did Houston outscore Spurs or did they out D the Spurs? Stats wise speaking, Houston seemed to have out D the Spurs.
And, when Houston did score, a lot of it were off points in the paint, Js and freethrows as well as getting higher than usual offensive rebounds.
The team is evolving away from Morey/McHell's usual style of play. But, it also seems to be evolving away from utilizing Lin as well. Is this why Lin is smiling though he played badly and not utilized as if he lost the battle but won the war?
Sumthin's different. Can't quite put my finger on it.
I guess looking strictly from the perspective of Lin building value for himself in the market place within NBA, I really believe Lin has to show that he can score more on a consistent basis. That way, he would be wanted for other assets than being able to bring sponsor money for his team's owner. This is why I said from the beginning of this season that the only thing Lin can do is to focus on improving the variety in his offense and score more. I want him to be in a situation where he will be wanted by other teams once his contract with Rockets expire. By the way, I agree with Solid and Swingline that Lin's role in Rockets is not going to change, even in playoffs. I dare say if Rockets had a better back-up PG like JJ Barea, Lin's playing time would even be limited and he might not even be starting. I would say Lin needs to take more shots to get to around 16 ppg for other teams to really want Lin as a starting PG.
ReplyDeleteIf Lin was allowed to play as a true PG, i.e., Rondo, yes, Lin can average around 12 ppg and get as many assists he wants. However, because of his perceived and actual weaker handle than Rondo, many teams will not allow him to play this role, which leaves no choice for Lin but to become a valuable scorer who can also give 5 to 6 assists per game.
Also, when Harden wants the ball and show he can win against good teams like Spurs, every other players in Rockets, including Lin, is just a supporting cast to showcase Harden. The best Lin can do, unless Harden gets injured, is to improve his game and add more variety to his offensive moves and then get the heck out of Rockets. I would really love to see Lin back with Knicks when Knicks probably will be in a rebuilding mode without Melo.
I just don't know what happened to the swagger he had for the last few weeks? I really thought he turned the corner in his game.
Anyway, knowing that his role will not change in Rockets, i decided to just follow Lin through this website and not watch actual games and cancel my League Pass at the end of this year. No point in canceling when I already paid for one year. I don't want to give my money to NBA where the refs call too many phantom calls against Lin.
I agree with you from the building value perspective. It should be clear to everyone fan of jlin or not that the coaches are limiting his contribution to this team. Unless jlin shows he's hot (and even some games he is hot) they won't leave him in more than 32 minute.
DeleteAt this point I'm writing the Rockets off for any long term plans as they pertain to jlin. I'm sure this off season he will have a good idea of what to focus on. He won't have to worry about knee rehab, build his stamina, 3pt shot etc.
Morey will trade jlin wait and see. He won't have a choice I just can't see him wanting to stay, he will get playoff experience, get better with limited 30 minutes of McFail and won't agree to any extension. Morey may move him this summer, I don't believe one word the Rockets organization says about jeremy being a key part of their team moving forward. Some of those CF fans will get what they hope for, a new point guard. You know how the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for ;-)
I will patiently pray for the day that comes when Lin will get his chance to be the point guard on a different team and shove Morey/Mcgail's BS down their throat again. I now feel the Rockets treatment of Lin is even worse then how Knicks handle him. At least they did not said one thing and did another, and basically treat him with absolutely no respect. At least the knicks acknowledge Linsanity was critical to bring them to the playoff. What the F did the Rockets ever say or do to shown they value him, since the trade? I hope Rockets fail miserable when Lin's new team (hopefully in the East, NYK possible? makes to the playoff and Lin be set free to play PG again)
ReplyDeleteThis is the point I've been trying to make for a long time. Lin has to pick his battles better and utilize the situation he is in for his team as well as his future. Mchale wants a no brainer to bring the ball up and hand it to harden. The PG in his system is an off ball distraction to spread the floor so that Harden and Parson has the floor to themselves. This is the battle ground he has to fight in. The war he needs to win is his own longevity in the league. To win that war, he has to learn to shoot post up and work himself into open shots, then shoot, and NEVER think about doing anything else. The war to win is to to increase his own value in the NBA marketplace. If Lin tries to dribble and be creative to find an open man, he is in fact being labelled a selfish rogue free agent. Lin's own inner conflict of wanting to be unselfish and helping his teammates to score is in fact making him a "selfish player" in the eyes of his coach.
ReplyDeleteTo win his battle with Mchale, he has to find an open shot and shoot each and every time. Lin should just make his points, then sit after his 20-25 minutes of play. In fact doing exactly what his coach wants him to do will hasten the demise of Mchale and the Rox. This is his control and his trump card.
Doing exactly what he is asked to do, while improving his own post up scoring will expose how simplistic Mchale's offense is. Right now teams are already doubling up on Harden making it very hard for him to drive or find an easy shot. Mchale is solely relying on harden to shoot and create shots for Parsons. Without Lin driving to the rim, and creating shots for the rest of his teammates, the Rox will live and die by the 3 in the crunch time to come. Remember the Suns game when Harden and Parsons could hit a shot? They got blown out and only Lin scored well because he attacked the rim. This is the fate of the Rox once refs decide to put their whistles in their pockets and harden won't get his charity stripe freebies. Executing Mchale's game plan is exactly the way to chase him out of town.