Monday, April 1, 2013

Shu-How Time!

Isn't it so fun to watch Jeremy run a team? It's great to see him playing with players who respect his game and give him the rock. Once Harden and Parsons come back, we all know what will happen.  They'll both over handle and not get it to the point guard when they should. I'm just gonna enjoy this while it lasts!

277 comments:

  1. allergic to the 4th quarter, hehe, Jlin is a funny guy! love you see him smiling finally

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    1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO69wuV3TlY

      must watch. Lin post game.

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    2. Oh! The "allergic to 4th Q" comment is too rich!

      He is too humble to be demanding more 4th Q time, but still found a way to voice his displeasure with a smile.

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    3. I liked the interview, very candid.

      He liked that he was the MAIN PG on the team and not just another PG.

      His "allergic to 4th qtr comment was pretty honest (mixed in with a little sarcasm) too.

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    4. and "the PG, not just one PG"
      Will the coach revenge again?

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    5. The ball made it back to Lin too. Actually, a lot.

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    6. I have to say this is the most honest, frontal, straight out post game interview from Jeremy. If you picked up his hints and the other little things that is. Contrary to public believe, Lin is not naive and very much aware of his situation, what is right, what is wrong, and so on. He still choose to trust the team and his teammates (Harden & Parsons) hope they both turned corner and come around back to him

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    7. @ Rikki M, did anyone here really think Lin was naive? That idea has never even occurred to me.

      As for this interview, I thought it was quite safe. It kept coming back to the usual Lin talking points. Lin is very good at avoiding the 'gotcha' comments for media to take and just go buck wild with.

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    9. JL always talk about playing the game his way, so I do not think, at this point in time, he really cares what or how McHale will react.

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    10. Hahahaha (;~).... Wow, I love Jeremy's comment! It took Lin long enough, but it shows that Lin isn't intimidated by McHell !!! Much more subtle than other players. Hilarious too (;~D) LOL LMAO.

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    11. so cerebral... so honest... yet , still so humble.

      I love this kid, JLin! :>

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  2. Parsons is a ball-stopper. And the most overrated player on this team.

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    1. I don't get the Parsons hate on this forum. I'm a big fan of Parsons and think he's one of the most underrated players in the league. He plays team ball and passes the ball to Lin all the time, he's not an iso ballhog/ballstopper.

      I'd say Harden, Delfino, Beverley, are more overrated by Rockets fans than Parsons.

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    2. I don't think there is Parsons hate on this forum.

      As for whether he is overrated or underrated, that totally depends on what you perceive to be how he is generally rated.

      When I say overrated, I mean that in reference to people who seriously think he is #2 offensive option on this team. I also think he is overrated when you look how many minutes he gets from McHale, which results in high per-game production from him. I also think he is overrated with reference to people who marvel at his stats, not realizing that so much of that comes from feeding off the defensive attention that Harden and Lin command from opposing teams.

      Sure, with reference to his contract, he is underrated, but the contract ceiling is determined by league rules and is hardly free market economics.

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    3. I'm not a big fan of Chandler Parsons.

      I think that he is a wonderful CHERRYPICKER off Lin's passes, but that's about it.

      Chandler Parsons has a lot to learn about anything not related to shooting open shots.

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  3. agreed. mcfail and his pet idiot will order lin to stand in the corner soon enough while harden's atrocious D inexplicably causes Lin to take the blame and be benched.

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  5. How funny this headline is. "Asik lifts short-handed Rockets by Magic." Jeremy's 19 points and 11 assists should deserve some mentioning somewhere in that headline, eh?

    but great game overall.

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  6. I couldn't get my eyes off the screen to do the tasks I was supposed to be doing. What a blast that was. I laughed so hard when Jeremy missed that half-court shot and hanged on the rim like a kid. You'd think he's the 12th man that's maximizing his opportunity on the court, but NO HE JUST HAD 19 pt and 10 dimes!!!

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  7. Lin with 19pts/11asts/3rebs in just 3 quarters!

    I don't mind my 15pts/8-12asts prediction was off a bit :)

    "psalm234 April 1, 2013 at 2:59 PM
    Solidz, I believe Lin will NOT need to play more than his usual minutes and have 15pts/8-12asts because this will be a blowout game by Q4 :)"

    Lin was playing as a great PG throughout Q1 and Q3 with excellent ball movement from all HOU players. I counted on average 3-6 passes per possession during the Q1 run. Lin and Asik connection were huge in Q3 with a few homerun passes by Asik to Lin :D

    Lin struggled a bit with his shots probably rushing it but he had total control of the offense. He looked really happy roaming around like a happy conductor directing people where to go with the ball in his hands.

    The difference of ball movement with Lin in and out of the game was noticeably obvious that the announcers made several comments about it. Only self-blinded people would believe Bev has better court vision than Jeremy. Bev was a monster with offensive rebounds and fearless blocks but he did not have Lin's court vision.

    McHale chose to trust the 2nd team to close the game despite the scare with the lead trimmed to 5pt. Great to see Greg Smith made great rebounds and Delfino veteran FTs to close the game. Nothing wrong with trusting the 2nd team which should help in the playoff. Credit to McHale here because they won.

    Let's just enjoy the win! :D

    Note: Asik stole Parsons' buddy by having bromance moment with Lin on the bench :D

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    1. I think whoever plays Houston in the first round are praying that Harden and Parson are both healthy.

      Lin directing traffic is too dangerous.

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    2. Truer words have never been spoken, Etane :)
      Lin the "No Traffic Jam" PG is guaranteed to remove most "sticky" ball syndrome from your offense.

      Lin didn't mince words when he said he played "the PG" tonight, not one of three (Harden, Parsons, Lin) but he honestly said their team is better with Harden. Classy Lin!

      Hint to Coach: Let Lin be the "PG" most of the time (70%) while Harden took 25% and do his ISO when absolutely necessary.

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    3. "Let Lin be the "PG" most of the time (70%) while Harden took 25% and do his ISO when absolutely necessary."

      Any casual fan already figured that out by the second week of the season. If the Rockets coaching staff hasn't figured it out by now, you can hit them over the heads with a brick and they won't get it.

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    4. I know I sound like a broken record :(
      The scales in McHale's eyes just won't drop.

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  8. I don't know how to link the nba.com videos but the mchale post game is up. He is asked about Jeremy's game and you can see how uncomfortable he is and he completely brushes it off. I always try and have hope McHale really appreciates and values JLin's game but it's so obvious he doesn't at all.

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    1. a man act like a man , a child would not know about anything to admit his mistake

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  9. Jeremy Lin, SHOWBOATING!!!

    This guy is really learning how to play the NBA game - and I'm not talking about while he's on the court either.

    He's found ways to express his opinions truthfully and openly while PUNKING the people that oppose him, including his own coach.

    I am enjoying this.

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    1. Hey, how do you think ORL game planned for Lin or did they not do anything out of the ordinary? Lin looked pretty effortless out there...so i'm wondering, was it Lin or Orlando's crappy D/game plan?

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    2. It was Lin.

      Orlando actually put a decent and underrated guard against Lin: Beno Udrih (had some seriously good seasons in Sacramento).

      There was a lot of single coverage with Lin calling for high picks when the shot clock ran down. But Lin eventually exploited that too.

      I like Beno Udrih, but there's a big difference between him and a future Hall of Famer like Lin. Lin's simply so much more athletic than Udrih.

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    3. You can see the difference like day and night when Lin was on and off the court.

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  10. What makes me a little sad about these last two games is it makes me realize all the enjoyable games we missed because Lin did not get to run the team this year. Instead, so much frustration and suffering for us seeing Lin's situation play out over this season. Oh well. As the OP says, enjoy it while it lasts.

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    1. How effing depressing. I don't disagree with you but Lin would have had some bumps and bruises along the way, regardless.

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    2. No doubt he would have had difficulties too, but I'd rather see Lin struggle on the court than off, and see him struggle with the ball than without it.

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    3. True, how much more double-digit assists games he can produce :)

      But after all the struggle that he had, at least we know we're true Lin fans believing he can direct the fluid team offense when the ball is in his hands.

      The same can't be said with the head coach. But I'm willing to forgive if he repents :D

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    4. "What makes me a little sad about these last two games is it makes me realize all the enjoyable games we missed because Lin did not get to run the team this year."

      good point =(

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    5. a prideful coach to come into repentance... we must pray for divine intervention. :<

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  11. Jeremy Lin ... Finally a GUARD who can play either PG or SG equally well!

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  12. Both Lin an Asik didn't play in the 4th quarter, but this time it wasn't to bench them, although it was, again, to PREVENT Lin from adding more to his stats. It was like that the whole season, which is why I suspect it (sitting Asik was to make it appear it wasn't just Lin). The game got perilously too close at the end though.

    The Rockets coaches, McHell and Damnpson twin minds, didn't look too happy that Jeremy Lin played better than their defacto starting point guard, Patrick Beverley. With Harden out, they would have loved to bench Lin and showcase Beverley more, but they couldn't do it. Lin would have been, again, benched for the WHOLE game (except to give Beverley a break) if Lin started out slow. Then the Rockets would have LOST the game for sure.

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  13. In a week's time, Jeremy's twitter followers will breach the ONE MILLION mark! YAY!

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  14. Watching the replay on LP. That was just beautiful.

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  15. Wow, as we speak, CP3 is back into the Pacers game with 4:07 left of the 4th Qtr and Pacers' lead immediately trimmed by 3pt. See that's how teams battle till the last second of the games with their starters in close games that are still winnable.

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  16. I know this is a Lin forum, but I have been very impressed with Asik's offensive development as the season has progressed. He has actual post moves now and is even capable of dropping the jumper.

    I think what these past couple of games show that Lin and Asik are the most important pieces for the Rockets despite Harden being a max player.

    Don't get me wrong Harden is a lethal scorer but he needs to put more effort on defense. The fact that James Anderson, a player who wasn't even in the rotation a couple of weeks ago, is playing better defense is pretty telling.

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    1. 100% agree. Lin and even Parsons continued to feed Asik to create inside and he delivered with growing confidence.

      I really hope Harden will save his energy to play more defense and less ISO plays to trust his teammates more. He'll be one deadly shooter that can take over the game when necessary, not most of the time. Only then he can become a superstar.

      Let's give this young team some time. If Harden and Lin can play off each other efficiently like the Heat did after 1.5 seasons, they'll be competing with OKC and Spurs for the Western Champ! I believe Asik and Greg Smith can be dominating front court.

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    2. I love Asik. His offensive game is actually better than expected. He and Lin should spend time working out in the offseason. If Asik can add the alleyoop to his game, and they get even more tighter with the pick and roll, and even pick and pop (as we saw tonight), those two can be a deadly combo.

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    3. On top of the D (for JH), I would add, he should also push JLin to play PG. Pass the ball back to him to make plays for the team. As a leader, he should just do that, only then he is a superstar, apart from being just a one-way scoring machine

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    4. Agree. I love Asik's play. He's also improving all the time, just like Lin.

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    5. @real-dsb:

      Thats what Ive been saying. In fact I suggested that Lin would buy a house with a court so he can practice with Asik or any other teammate.

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  17. Missed this game as well as the LAC game.

    However, glad to know Lin is doing well. His play is proving doubters wrong that basement salary teams can't roll with big market teams.

    Houston players have heart and talent. The only road block to success is Moreyball and McHell and their brain dead mind f8cking street ball strategies.

    Next time someone tells you that Morey and McHell are doing a hell by keeping the team near .500, tell him he is BS as this team is much better than .500 if only management doesn't keep allowing the team to be destroyed from within.


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    1. HOW COULD YOU MISS THAT GAME? You should watch the entire game. I know - Magic is not that great a team but Lin-Ball was beautyfull to watch. They simply played the game the right way.

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    2. Cuz I had a prior engagement.... had to do something with the SO.

      Like I said in the previous game thread, I do wanna watch these games with Lin running point! Arghh!!!

      Gotta say I was very demotivated about watching the games with all the 4th quarter allergies and Bevball. Those certainly didn't help me glue my eyes to the screen when Houston was playing of late.

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  18. I think Lin's sarcasm in his post-game interview shows that he has little to no respect for his dumb coach and his lip service about the Rox being a more dangerous team with James Harden in the lineup without any emotion behind those words clearly show he is not happy on Houston. Lin's no naive country bumpkin and believe you me he is positioning himself for a trade in the offseason to escape these two morons. Mark my words--JLin WILL NOT be a Rocket next season and we will be so happy for that!!!

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    1. Do you not love it? Lin grew some serious balls.... What took him so darn long! Until recent diss of McHale by Lin, I've been worried whether Lin has even an OUNCE of SELF-RESPECT. Lin is cool again in my eyes! He will have more girls throwing themselves at him now too. (;~)

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  19. Link to McHale post-game interview.
    http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/04/01/postgame040113mchale1mp4-2431814

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    1. It's so obvious McHale was happy to talk about Omer, then when asked about Lin, he suddenly looks annoyed even before answering the question, and his response didn't make a single comment about Lin. Wow.

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    2. What the hell is wrong with McHale? It's just so weird, and ventures into the land of irrational dysfunctionality.

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    3. Reporter: Will you continue to play Greg Smith and Omer Asik together after the other guys are back?

      McHell: We get in trouble when they start fronting and we jam the ball inside. We got to play our style which is spread, drive, move and kick. We are good at that.

      GS and OA combined for 16 for 21 you Dumb F8ck.

      Reporter: Jeremy Lin obviously got to run the show tonight. Can he take some of the things he did tonight and incorporate them when James comes back ...

      *McHell doesn't even let the reporter finish the question by interjecting*

      McHell: We all got to play with more pace and movement all the time bla bla bla and sometimes you don't execute everyday.

      WTF did McHell just say? Jeremy is at fault for causing Rox to lose to Memphis when addressing the reporter's question? McHell obviously DOES NOT like what Jeremy did tonight.

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    4. crap interview..not motivating and evasive..and probably racist..

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    5. That interview comes from such depths of fucked-up that it cannot even be verbalized. I'm still dumbfounded about what that was.

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    6. He always interrupts the reporter when asked about Jlin, then he tells a different story. He definitely doesn't know how Jlin plays good as a point guard. It seems that Mchale doesn't like Lin cuz he think Lin is inferior. This makes me very unpleasant.

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    7. The question about Jeremy Lin is at 1:30 in the video.
      http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/04/01/postgame040113mchale1mp4-2431814

      Reporter asks: "What about Jeremy and the night he had? He had the opportunity to run the show. Can he take the things he did tonight and incorporate it when James comes back and he's gotta..."

      McHale: (cuts off the question) "We all gotta play with more pace and movement all the time as a team... It's not like all of a sudden it's a revelation for anybody."

      What??? What kind of answer is that? First of all, McHale didn't answer the question at all. His answer didn't even make any sense. He didn't even mention Jeremy. What an *ss.

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    8. Not only did McHale trash Lin, he also trashed Dmo and Asik!

      The Indiana game where supposedly "Hansbrough and Hibbert bashed around" - that was a direct jab at Asik and Dmo.

      Lin and Asik and Dmo must be like "grrrr....."

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    9. *sigh* I guess it's too much to expect him to offer praise for Lin.

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    10. As usual, Jeremy should not care what McHale wants, just play his game for a team win. As what he had been doing lately (the 3 earlier games, and in these last 2 games).

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    11. McHale prefers Beverley over Lin because Mchale thinks Beverley is MORE ACTIVE than Lin.

      Beverley comes up court quickly and waves his hands a lot. He also gets his butt beaten on defense and can't make proper reads.

      Mchale thinks Beverley is a super quick point guard in the NBA while he thinks Lin is a big slow stiff. Actually, Lin's MUCH FASTER than Beverley to my eyes and the eyes of many people here.

      When Lin paces himself to react to the defense, McHale sees that as slowing the game down unnecessarily and selfishly.

      McHale is clueless about how Lin is THE PLAYER to be running his gameplan.

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    13. KHuang, I think you are probably right, but I think that is just one part of it. McHale's reasons for diminishing Lin are surely multiple and various and complex, and probably run so deep that he himself probably cannot even articulate the reasons! If it were a simple matter of misjudging Lin's talent, that would/will eventually right itself, but that interview comes from such depths of fucked-up that we are, remarkably, just glimpsing the surface of it. I do not purport to understand McHale's attitude towards Lin, and what is worse, I don't think McHale does either.

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    14. game plan?do they(he) have?chandler says they dont have set offense.jlins interview obviously seems something he says hes a pointguard and speakout again THE POINTGUARD.he seems like allergy to 4th qtr. lol.sense of humour .just love this kid always positive:)

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    15. McHale simply doesn't like to accept when he's wrong. I have never once seen him take responsibility for the choices he makes as a coach, whether right or wrong in retrospect. The fact that Lin is shining is another demonstration of McHale's inability to see/accept when he is wrong. He probably doesn't like it because it makes him look bad. Lin's actions on the court speak louder than any words McHale could even attempt to utter about Lin anyway.

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    16. Just so you know, Morey was interviewed by one of the HOU sports-radio stations and he said that Beverly was doing a fabulous job. He was very complimentary of him.

      It's not just Mchale who likes Bev.

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    17. Is it just me or is KHuang schizoid about McHale?

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    18. It's just you, FanForLife.

      First of all, your use of the term "schizoid" is technically incorrect in this case. You actually mean "two sided" or "self contradictory".

      Second of all, you're trying to demonize this situation into absolutes. McHale has both good and bad aspects, just like everything else in life.

      I can compliment AND criticize McHale.

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    19. Besides, McHale IS right about one thing:

      If somebody had told him in training camp that the Rockets would be 41-33, he'd have been happy to jump forward to now!

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    20. According to dictionary.com:
      schizoid: Informal. of or pertaining to schizophrenia or to multiple personality.

      Lessee, just off the top of my head, you have repeatedly declared that McHale:
      a)had your vote for COTY
      b)was a good head coach for Lin
      c)had you as his lone fan on this forum

      So how do any of a-c square with your statement above, "McHale is clueless about how Lin is THE PLAYER to be running his gameplan".

      More specifically, how is a HC who's clueless about using Lin good for Jeremy, much less a contender for COTY?

      And why wouldn't McHale be surprised by the Rox' record to date? Remember, he still believes his starting PG is no better than a backup. You're right he's CLUELESS.

      And you're also right that I'm all about "absolutes" where McHale is concerned. He's an ABSOLUTE MORON of a head coach and an ABSOLUTE CANCER to the Rox. Because used the right way, JLin would be the ultimate cash cow for his organization the likes of which the NBA has never seen before. But no, that's too hard a concept for McHale to grasp.

      If I'm the only one here who sees your comical inconsistency, well...

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    21. I do agree with Khuang. McHale, in overall has done well (could have been better) with this new team, and with JH coming in late into the startoffs.

      Where McHale fails is that, he fails to see what JLin brings to the team. He is totally blinded what is Linsanity. It aint about points, or stats. Its merely making good plays with whatever teamates thrown in. He can make everyone into rhythm and contribute to a win.

      Many dont realize this, thinking that, the team is playing insync and played well and deserved the win, like today's game.

      But it was Jeremy who set the tempo and get everyone into the right spot and male a win. Did you see, Asik made the jump shot! That was classic! ANd that is what Linsanity does.

      Again, Mchale is an infant who started coaching; sooner or later, he would understand about Jeremy, the sooner the better, else we (JLin fans) are going to go berserk and sleepless nights, as in how Mchale does his insane rotations.

      He should have learned from Q4 of today's game, as JLin is out, the team slowly lost the tempo and there is no leader to lead them.

      This is what Mchale need to learn, else, he would be out, sooner or later.

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    22. Fanforlife, you here to start ANOTHER FLAME WAR for like the zillionth time!

      If that's your goal, TOO BAD.

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    23. This fallacy that McHale deserves more credit than blame for the Rox' record this season ought to be vanquished once and for all here on this forum.

      Remember:
      1) This is a HC whom former players have called "Coach Etch-A-Sketch" because he can't tell his X's from his O's. That's why the Rox don't run anything but the most elementary sets that often make them look like they're playing pickup ball.

      2)This is a HC whose record as GM and HC until this season was a joke. He will forever be remembered as the guy who, among his many disastrous decisions, gave away Garnett to Boston and co-drafted Royce White.

      3) This is a HC who last season had two solid PGs who'd rather decamp to bottom-feeding teams than put up with him for another season.

      4) This is a HC who thinks he can REPEATEDLY bash the confidence of his starting PG this entire season with NO ill consequences for either said PG or the team's fortunes.

      5) This is a HC who thinks letting his franchise player repeatedly get away with playing no defense sets the right tone for the entire team and will have NO impact on the team's chances of winning. Clearly, he knows nothing about being a leader.

      6) This is a HC whose bone-headed decisions have cost the Rox upwards of a half-dozen perfectly winnable games.

      7) This is a HC who, despite his record of - to put it kindly - mediocrity, has never once owned up to any mistakes after a loss.

      8) This is a HC who all season let his bias against playing rookies, despite the Rox' physically punishing style, keep D-Mo on the bench only to turn him loose and helpless as a starter in the crucial last weeks of the regular season.

      I, for one, never had any doubts that, Harden or no, a JLin-led team would surprise the league. Because Lin is a past master at leading scrubs to unexpected wins.

      McHale lucked out with this team, just like he lucked out in the 4th quarter of this last game.

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    24. Some of us just can tell a Lin hater a mile away. And we certainly don't tell a clearly Lin-hating troll, "Your presence here is appreciated."

      Gag.

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    25. And oh, you know what else I don't do?

      I don't buddy up to a Euro turd who equates Americans with Nazis.

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    26. Now now, FanforLife.

      Take a deep breath. Count to ten. Relax. Put your feet up on your couch while you're letting out your thoughts.

      41-33 is an excellent record thanks to McHale and Lin and everyone!

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    27. Fanforlife: That euroturd didn't say Americans are nazis. I am an American and surely he's not saying I am a nazi.

      However, we do have nazis in America just like there are Nazis all over the world. Just so happens that we have some in powerful positions within our goverment and economy more so than most other countries.

      Other than that, Khuang is just a McHell fan boy. He will defend McHell to the end. That's a lot of dedication and balls to do so in this forum that for the most part despises him. But, it's really more Morey than McHell that is single handedly killing Linsanity.

      McHell is nothing but a mouth piece. He got the coaching gig precisely because he's not a real coach but a puppet like Bush was.

      (Woo I just did a full circle!)

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    28. Etane is right about me being a McHale fanboy.

      Any coach who can get 41-33 while overseeing this Lincredible season gets my approval - while also getting my criticism.

      And yes, Etane is correct in complimenting me for having "dedication and balls". It's so good for Etane to be MY fanboy!!!!

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    29. Etane, you're a liberal and a lost cause, but I repeat myself.

      It's just SO RICH that Europeans - who are the REAL Nazis who've given us one world war after another and whose infliction of the Holocaust on a helpless people will forever remain the biggest moral stain on humanity - should ever think they have any license whatsoever to call ANY American a Nazi.

      The fact that you're still so smugly leftist in the face of the developing fiasco in Cyprus tells me I'd be wasting my time if I continued talking to you.

      Maybe you and KHuang can get together and compare notes on how unmoored from reality you both are. Talk about FLAME WARS.

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    30. As Psalm puts it above, we could've been 76% winning percentage instead of 55%. Houston is winning despite Morey and McHell.

      And, McHell has kept Greg Smith on the bench for far too long. We had this discussion about Greg Smith many months back. You said back then that it wasn't McHell's job to develop Smith as to disagree with me that McHell wasn't doing enough to develop the young guys such as Greg.

      You also disagreed with me that Houston will be stronger if they played both Omer and Greg at the same time with Lin playing point as you said Omer and Greg together will do nothing but clog the lanes.

      Good thing that Harden and Parsons are down for the count, so we finally get to see what these young talents with no "NBA skills" can do when given some real minutes!

      You also said that Greg playing with Omer at the same time

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    31. Flame wars? I didn't say a single bad thing such as you're brainwashed by neonazi, neoconservative and compassionate conservative ideologies while calling anyone who disagrees with you as liberal. = P

      Well, I don't identify myself as liberal anywhoo. Countries that imported the most Nazis after WW2 included various South American countries such as Portugal, Argentina as well as United States.

      Oh, and it wasn't the euroturd that said that there were Americans supporting Hitler during WW2. It was me. Pierce Bush was both financing and selling oil to the third Reich before and during US's entry into WW2. He should have been shot as a traitor.

      Instead, his family is allowed to be presidents to run our country into the ground. But, just like Khuang is rooting for the McHell who is tanking the Houston and Linsanity, you're rooting for Bushs and Nazi Americans who are tanking this country!

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    32. *woo I cam full circle again*

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    33. Good grief...liberal crackpots on both sides of the pond. Welp.

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    34. It looks like some people who have given McHale so much benefit of the doubt FINALLY can see McHell for what he is (an by extension, Morey).

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    35. Yes ztrta, some of us see McHale and Morey xactly as they are:

      the coach and general manager of a WINNING team!

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  20. What a throwback game for Lin, where he's quarterbacking the team, telling his teammates where to go, what to do, getting everyone involved. Heck, Asik was stroking 20 footers and throwing full court passes!

    Too bad this will end Wednesday, sigh...

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    Replies
    1. just a thought, could this be all planned, by Harden? LOL

      Since Mchale benched the whole starters in the previous game, come next game, when it is very critical, JH pulled out and JL got the win for the team.

      And then comes today's game, Parson pulled out himself to join Harden and let jeremy run the show.

      SO why the pullout?
      either
      1) a lesson to Mchale for pulling the started out in the last 4Q
      or
      2) Show the coach, Jlin is equally good and could run the show without Harden first, and then Parson as well!!!

      Its really such a big coincident to have both biggie to be left out of the game during this critical time. They could have still played some minutes? Dont you think so?

      ANd obviously Mchale was not happy, for the 2 not joining in the play, this could be observed in the interview.

      Just a food for thought, I dont claim any of the above...just wondering though ;)

      Delete
    2. Interesting theories! But it's wishful thinking. Harden isn't that bright. =)

      Delete
  21. CSN post-game comments:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9guajfp84xE

    ReplyDelete
  22. Jeremy Lin: “We just played together...we went back to what worked...a couple of post ups...played defense…got the rebound...ran...just played the right way...naturally...the ball will go around and find somebody at some point...”

    Reporter: “...with Harden & Parsons back...is the lane going to get clogged to do what you guys do?”

    Jeremy Lin: “You can always do anything...with any 5 players...it’s just a matter of BUYING INTO IT...work on it...go through the kinks...doing something new at this point...I think for us...I don’t know how it’s going to look like...but that’s something we should consider...I think it worked well...

    Reporter: “What do you think of Smith and Asik playing together...what do you think is working well with that combination”?

    Jeremy Lin: “Defensively it’s solid...they get a lot of rebounds...protect the paint...ability to finish around the rim...create match-up problems...”

    Reporter: “Can you speak about how much Omer has grown offensively this year”?

    Jeremy Lin: “...he’s grown a lot...even little things...like...being in the right place and the right time...finishing quickly before defense gets there...picking up...catching balls...that he might not caught before...”

    Reporter: "...what can you take from these last 2 games...having your hands on the ball more...obviously there's going to be more responsibility for you with James out...how can you take those things...and incorporate them when James comes back...”

    Jeremy Lin: "...touches and my usage rate will go down...”

    Jeremy Lin: "...but when those touches do come...hopefully...it looks...like in the system that we had tonight"

    Jeremy Lin: "...basically…creating that structure...that spacing...playing off each other..."

    Jeremy Lin: "...sometimes it gets a little bogged down when James and I are in there...."




    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reporter: "Is it a little more comfortable for you to have the ball in your hands and not have to worry about that so much?"

      Jeremy Lin: "Uhhhh...yeah I was the point guard...I was 'A' point guard...I was 'THE POINT GUARD'...

      Jeremy Lin: “It was nice...but we’re a much more dangerous team with James...”

      Jeremy Lin: “What matters...to be able to do...what we both are really good at together at the same time...”

      Jeremy Lin: “For each other...it’s not that we don’t’ want to...we’re just trying to figure it out...”

      Reporter: “...Do you feel like you can make up for it…for whatever clogging in the lane there might be…with the two BIGS in TOGETHER...can you make up for it for the way you got the ball inside to them at the rim tonight...can you do that enough to make up for whatever you might loose?”

      Jeremy Lin: “It depends on the team...the miss-match...tonight for us...T WAS EASY...in terms of being able to play High-Low...different things like that...that you might not see on our offense...so definitely...I think if we work on it enough...WE CAN...”

      Jeremy Lin: “...It’s also one of those things...it’s a different line-up that you can always go to...if you need it...we can go small sometimes…but we can also go big..."

      Reporter: “...without James and Chandler tonight...things aren’t supposed to be as easy...like things...like so easy tonight...”

      Jeremy Lin: “Last 2 games we’ve played REALLY REALLY HARD...the ball has ZIPPED ACROSS BACK AND FORTH...Greg and Omer has been Beasts down low...”

      Jeremy Lin: “...We’re a better team with James and Chandler...we’re going to need them…especially coming down the stretch...but guys have really picked it up…in their absence...”

      Reporter: “Towards the end of the game, did you think that maybe, you might be going back in because of house close they were making it?”

      Jeremy Lin: “...Yeaaahhh...you know...I mean....I seem to be allergic to 4th quarters these days so I wasn’t sure what to expect...”

      Jeremy Lin: “They told us to stay warm and to stay ready, but ummm....good thing we didn’t really need to go back in....”

      Jeremy Lin: “It was pretty close…kind of tense...but we pulled it out…that’s all that matters…a win is a win...”

      Delete
    2. Correction:

      Jeremy Lin: "Uhhhh...yeah I was the point guard...I WASN'T 'A' point guard...I was 'THE POINT GUARD'...

      Delete
    3. No problem K.smith

      I thought there were a lot of things that Jeremy Lin brings up that we all do in this forum.

      He brings to light many things we talk about such as: how to co-exist with Harden, looking at different offensive line-ups, offense getting bogged down when Harden is in the court with him at the same time LOL...etc. etc. etc.

      Delete
    4. Lin is more of the Rockets coach than McHale is.

      Now I know why McHale is trying to downgrade Lin.

      The PLAYERS have found their real leader, and it's Lin!

      Delete
    5. I think McHale is threatened by Lin's coaching abilities, his ability to see the game and make adjustments. He probably feels incompetent next to Lin's Basketball I.Q.

      Delete
    6. I'll bet McHale is demanding that Jeremy "keep the ball moving", but Jeremy simply plays his game by taking his time and finding guys all over the court.

      I'll also bet that some of the assistant coaches are like "Go Jeremy" as McHale twists in the wind, thinking he's being undercut every game by Lin!

      The stupid thing is that Lin's running McHale's system better than McHale can envision!

      Delete
    7. "Lin is more of the Rockets coach than McHale is."

      "I think McHale is threatened by Lin's coaching abilities, his ability to see the game and make adjustments. He probably feels incompetent next to Lin's Basketball I.Q."

      "The stupid thing is that Lin's running McHale's system better than McHale can envision!"

      You guys hit the nail on the head. Lin's answers are what the coach should be saying. But McHale just spouts the same nonsense.

      If McHale had a clue, he would let Lin run the floor, and then McHale can take all the credit like a smart manager would do when he recognizes he has a sharp employee. (Think Jim Caldwell and Peyton Manning).

      As much as the Rockets have exceeded expectation this year, they could have done more if they used their talent better.

      Delete
    8. There were few occasion when Lin just dominated the huddle during timeout and the coaches just left out in the dust

      Delete
    9. Right from the beginning , I always said Mchale is not ready being a NBA head coach yet , he need a few years to learn become a real coach.

      Delete
    10. @real-dsb:

      Ive alsways said -> LIN IS GONNA BE A GREAT COACH ONE DAY!

      Delete
  23. Daryl Morey ‏@dmorey
    .@AsikOmer, @Ju_Smith4, @cisco32, @JLin7 FTW tonight. Omer got nearly half(!) of Magic misses when on floor.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Don't think that it was a coincidence that Harden was the best sixt man in basketball. I would rate him the same on the Houston Rockets team. This team is going to flourish when Jeremy is in the drivers seat. If the Rockets organization has aspirations of building a championship team they should build it around Jeremy.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Rockets Make Magic Disappear
    Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin help carry Houston to 111-103 win over Orlando

    Jason Friedman is sending a subliminal message to the Coach:
    ...
    Jeremy Lin finished with 19 points (8-16 FG, 2-4 3FG) and a season-high-tying 11 assists tonight, which marked his eighth double-double of the season. The Rockets now hold a record of 16-5 on the season when Lin reaches at least and eight assists in a game.

    Let Jeremy Lin be the PG to get at least 8asts/game based on 75% winning rate in 21 games!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Correction: 76% winning rate

      Delete
    2. you may be right. he's the one who asked the question about jeremy lin tonight at the post-game and was shut down by mchale.

      Delete
    3. oh really? Great, he wasn't afraid of asking the obvious question in the room then. Thanks!

      Delete
    4. Jason Friedman is a worthless hack. He deliberately omitted Lin's joky comment about being 'allergic to 4th quarters'. He is nothing more than a PR mouthpiece for the front office.

      Delete
  26. kinda old but I just want to share this.You guys probably have seen this:
    Magic Johnson on Jeremy Lin :" He is for REAL" "Plays like Steve Nash and John Stockton

    hmm who can be the "Malone" to Jeremy's "Stockton"/"Stoudemire" to Jeremy's "Nash"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greg Smith has the muscle, of course! :)
      But not the jump shots yet.

      Thankfully, GSmith doesn't have the same ego and baby mamas.

      Delete
    2. @psalm - I read a lot of sports fans, writers, etc. are saying that this generation's "Karl Malone" is Kevin Durant, too bad he and Jeremy "Stockton" are not playing on the same team lol

      Delete
  27. I chose not to watch the McHale interview, but from what I read from u guys, he clearly he doesn't want to create a pg controversy with Harden's return looming. Again, nothing surprises me about McHale when it comes to his attitude towards Lin. He is that typical LOH troll on clutchfan who will find a way to dissect and only look at the negative aspect of his game. He is like that bamboo dude who thinks he shouldn't give Jeremy any credit because anyone could've done what he did against a weak competition like the magic.

    His ass is lucky the team won tonight despite his reckless coaching move in the 4th quarter. He still hasn't figured out when to take out starters and when to leave people in.

    The WORST thing about this game is that I'm gonna be cursing up a storm when McHale nevitably goes back to the old way and tries to feed his max player's ego.

    Having been proven yet again that Jeremy still has IT, will just boil my blood when McHale loses faith in Jeremy and benches in the 4th.

    But u know what I believe in Karma.. It may not be this season McHale but u will get what's coming to you for being such a prickl. That will the day I will look at your ugly mug and just laugh at your misery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't even think you believe what you're saying. You cherry pick what I say. I complement Lin all the time. ALL THE TIME. I just disagree on some other things with people here. So what. Get over it.

      Delete
    2. Solidz75, I'm sure you can make your point without citing me. Really, I have that kind of influence over you?

      Delete
    3. No influence on me. But your comment was sooo shocking that it just stuck in my mind. I only recognize you as a poster who almost always argues for the unpopular opinion here and calls it "keeping it real". Reminds me of a David chappelle skit.

      Delete
    4. By the way, I don't think anyone could do what Lin did. Lin played magnificently and made a statement today. I was only making a point in reference, to I think, Harden. I think Lin is a superior player to Beverly for the record and that Beverly can't run an offense in the magnificent way that Lin can. You don't need to put words in my mouth. You can make an argument without doing that.

      Delete
  28. And I bet harden comes back next game. He's getting nervous watching Jeremy do his thing so well. He doesn't want a mini-Linsanity to take a life if its own. Just like melo effectively killed Linsanity, harden will as well.

    ReplyDelete
  29. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  30. This idiot coach will always try to throttle his stats by limiting his minutes. He doesn't want that Lin's name will be sensationalize after the win. Jlin could have scored 30+ for a solid headline but the coaching wouldn't allow it. Mchale have been so prejudiced with lin's potential and is very critical on lin's weaknesses. I wish this coach would be taken out by next season.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Linsanity doesn't need Star players, it only need players that accepts a role in teamwork transition offense. Self-centered egoist like Harden and Melo would kill it. The formula would be run-screen-pass-and-shoot. Asik was rewarded always off the dribble by Lin as was Tyson Chandler and Amare before in NY. I recommend Smith and Asik on the paint while the tall guns D-mo and Garcia on the perimeter.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I truly believe that harden is a victim as well as Lin of Mchale's bad coaching. Harden just doesn't have the same court vision as Lin. For him to be asked to ISO and score as much as possible is why he ball hogs, he doesn't have the mental skills that Lin has to distribute the ball. He just sees the rim and either shoots for it or drives for it.

    Harden is like a loaded gun, he needs a good pair of hands to guide it. They could be HOF pair of PGs if only a good coach could get them to share the ball.

    Lin has been paying it forward with Asik all season, spoon feeding him balls. Unlike Mchale who constantly harps on mistakes and push people down by telling them to play to their limitations. Lin on the other hand keeps forcing Asik to play through those limitations and recognize his potentials instead. Now finally he is starting to believe in himself. It's been proven in early childhood education that what the teacher believes is the capabilities of the child greatly affects the performance of that child. Whatever the limitations you project unto them is more than likely the results they produce.

    Mistakes are inevitable, it's part of maturity. " show me a man who hasn't made any mistakes and I'll show you someone who hasn't done anything" ...Joan Collins.

    Asik and Lin has to be allowed to learn from their mistakes and not be put down to Mchale's expectations, that is denying your players a chance to break beyond their potentials to become a much better player than you expect. We all have said that tei are good and bd TOs, well, there are good and bad mistakes as well. The good ones are the ones that promote teammate's potentials; they are the ones full of good intentions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is unfortunate that the players become the "victim" of poor coaching, whether it's McHale or Morey leading the way. In the end, all I ask for is fairness. Treat everyone the same. It almost as though Lin supported Asik's offensive game more than anyone else. Seriously, Asik was feeling it tonight, taking that jumper. Lin-ball is contagious and builds confidence! Maybe Lin learned this from D'Antoni... to play through mistakes and give players confidence.

      I also agree that McHale is probably threatened by Lin's intelligence and court vision, as well as the fact that hell will freeze over before McHale accepts responsibility for any mistakes.

      Delete
    2. Great point of using Asik as a parallel.
      If Lin acted like McHale and stop feeding Asik because he was costing Lin assists and TO's he wouldn't be where he is right now.

      This is why I don't understand McHale's short leash on Lin. He considers him an inexperienced player, essentially a rookie, but constantly denies him thr chances to rectify and learn from his mistakes.

      I've never seen any starting player get treated the way Lin has been this year.

      McHale's demeanor tonight in the pg conference shows that he won't change. He still hasn't seen the light because he simply tries his hardest to ignite the truth.

      Delete
    3. Eloquently put, Bob. Respect

      Delete
    4. @cali7
      I think that D'antoni didn't inspire Lin so much as he was bemused by how Lin went nuts when given the oppertunity. That's why he answered a reporter's questions about lin's performance by saying "sometimes, you just have to let them play". I honestly think he was so shocked himself, then he became a spectator in a way and wanted to see how far it would go...of course it all ended when Melo came back.

      Delete
    5. Good post. If Harden were smarter, though, he would ignore McHale's coaching and just figure out together with Lin and the starters how they should play to be most effective.

      Harden is tremendously gifted in his skills, but he doesn't seem to do anything else besides drive, pick up fouls, and shoot 3s.

      Delete
    6. I suppose I'm attributing it to Lin's comments about D'Antoni letting him play through mistakes and giving him confidence or current Lakers players who also said this about D'Antoni. I think it was on Backstage Lakers where I saw this.

      Delete
    7. http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/11/13/jeremy-lin-happy-for-mike-dantoni-with-los-angeles-lakers/1702703/

      Delete
    8. From this as well:

      I thought I heard him stay stuff in interviews but I'm to tired to review youtube at this late hour. Haha.

      http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7576223/nba-jeremy-lin-success-system

      I hadn't seen the above article though which was an interesting read.

      Delete
    9. Thanks Cali7.
      Good memories, D'antoni did have a special relationship with Lin. He recognized the magic and just was able to let it run it's course. He, like all good athletes just got out of their way. Mchale however can't get out of his own egos way to see lin's ability.

      Delete
  33. And reading the late night game thread on clutch, the topic of the hour seems to be Jeremy's post game interview.

    I don't know what type of repercussions he will get from McHale, but I'm so proud of him for finally saying how he feels about being THE point guard of the team and various other injustices that we have been voicing the entire season. I liked how he said WE ( harden and Lin, and not just Lin) must a find a way to coexist and play off each other. A lot of things i didn't notice right away are bring picked up other people.

    Morons like feigen and clutch see it as a joke.

    This would be great in ny where the media would harass Lin to clarify what he said, but hopefully this doesn't take a life if its own and becomes a distraction.

    Lin is finally standing up for himself, and he is really letting his play do must if the talking. Great as a fan to finally see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The 3 haters Feigen, Friedman, and Clutch

      Delete
    2. Let there be "repercussions".

      Any "repercussions" against Lin will result in the Rockets suffering.

      Lin should just sit back and pal around with his guys on the bench. He's doing everything he can to win games.

      Delete
  34. Here's more media bias against Lin. The headline for the Houston Chronicle recap reads "Asik, Smith lift Rockets past Magic in Harden’s absence"

    I was perfectly fine with the nba.com headline that said "Asik lifts short-handed Rockets by Magic" because Asik did have a team high 22 pts and 18 rebs. But how do you put Smith in the headline and leave out Lin? Smith had 12 pts and 4 rebs. This is pure revisionist history.

    http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2013/04/asik-smith-lift-rockets-past-magic-in-harden%E2%80%99s-absence/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, and the photo for the article was of Patrick Beverley. SMH

      Delete
    2. Guess who wrote that article. That worthless hack Jonathan Feigen.

      Delete
    3. Pure stupidity and frankly poor marketing and business sense. You did invest quite a bit in Lin, no? Wouldn't you want to market this? So bizarre. Nothing this organization does makes any logical sense. All I know is that the Rockets organization sucks which is why I do care to support it at all and have no desire to read the drivel posted by ignorant people on Clutch(generally speaking, of course).

      Delete
    4. *do not care to support it

      Delete
  35. THE POINT GUARD :) allergic/allergy in 4th :)


    lol being true your self:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah, and thats the reason, if you noticed, lately he had been more explosive in 3Q! He knows well, most like he is not going gonna in 4th Q.

      He had adapted well, on that scenario.

      Delete
    2. I think JLin may have changed the NBA rule that there are only 3 quarters to play, thus the 3rd quarter is equivalent to his usual 4th killing quarter :-)

      Delete
  36. According to the Wins Produced metric, Harden/Lin are the second best backcourt in the NBA, a close second to Chris Paul/Crawford.

    http://www.hoopsmanifesto.com/articles/basketball/ranking-the-nba-backcourts-update-5.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh hey! Looked just how "well" some of those guards which claimed to be superior than Lin

      Delete
    2. If Harden were removed, Lin would rank even higher on that list!

      Delete
  37. I rewatched the post game interview of McHale.

    Once again, I observer that McHale is clueless about NBA defenses.

    1) McHale was complaining about them Asik and Smith messing up the offensive flow by being "fronted" in the post. Well, this is the NBA where teams will change their defenses if they're getting lit up. Besides, Asik and Smith had GREAT games that McHale gave them no credit for.

    2) McHale is still not understanding that his motion offensive scheme can be stopped by committed NBA defenses. He raised the Memphis and Indiana games as areas where the Rockets failed to run the offense smoothly, even citing my man Hansbrough and Hibbert as "bashing around" the Rockets. McHale thinks that he can outmotion any defense with speed and passing, and it just ain't so.

    3) McHale erroneously thinks that Bevball with its nervous energy and handwaving are creating good shots. He felt that the 4th quarter collapse was just because the Rockets missed shots and Orlando hit theirs. McHale doesn't realize that Beverley is getting KILLED because of his slow reflexes, and that's why the Rockets can neither score nor defend despite Bev's spastic energy. ESPN's David Thorpe related NCAA basketball to guys driving so fast on the freeway that they miss their exits, and that's Patrick Beverley perfectly described!

    4) I know this sounds blasphemous, but I DID NOT see McHale being critical of Jeremy Lin.

    When asked about Lin's impact on the game and how that would mesh with Harden's return, McHale said that the offense would incorporate both players.

    Now when Lin was asked the same question, he basically said the SAME THING! Lin said that he and Harden can coexist peacefully within McHale's system.

    I agree that McHale needs to be more complimentary of Lin in the press, though. Also McHale needs to compliment Smith and Asik more. Even when Asik hit that long two, McHale was giggling like "No way Asik actually made that shot even though he practices it constantly!"

    Right now, McHale is probably dissatisfied with Lin playing what he perceived as selfish slowdown basketball.

    I guess McHale would be like the nagging backseat driver that hollers at Lin for not driving faster to an exit on a crowded freeway but is complimentary of Beverley for driving fast while causing accidents and missing exits!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your #4 point, not being critical but more like dismissed Lin entirely

      Delete
    2. Yes, that's a better way of putting it.

      Also, McHale was totally incorrect in praising the 2nd unit and criticizing the 1st unit.

      Just because the ball moves around without impedance doesn't mean that the game is being won. McHale doesn't understand that.

      Delete
    3. Of course McHell was not critical of Lin. He'd sound like an assh*le if he were critical of him after a win and with Lin doing a marvelous job two games in a row.

      What McHell DID do was marginalize Lin's past accomplishments and is projecting that he will "fix that" in the future.

      Delete
    4. To be honest, every time I listened to the post game interview, Lin is more like a coach and McHale is more like a clueless assistant coach. McHale may be a great coach to develop talent. However, McHale is not talented in organizing and deploying game plans especially when things (defense scheme and offense stagnancy) change rapidly.

      Delete
    5. If we listen carefully about the post game interview, Lin always gave an articulated good and bad. Lin usually knew what went wrong in the game and thus the remedies for the next game. McHale failed to do some most of the time. He is just not articulate and clueless what he is talking about.

      Delete
    6. McHale is intimidated by Jeremy's IQ. Numerous occasions McHale stressed Jeremy's a Harvard in a sarcastic manner. You can tell from his tone that McHale simply doesn't like to have a Harvard grad to be his starting point guard.

      Delete
    7. Crusty old hacks are always intimidated by whiz kids. And, the only thing old hacks can do is to down play the whiz kids as "young" and "inconsistent".

      Delete
  38. Here is a great article on Lin stepping up big for Houston in the absence of Harden and Parsons.

    Lin Coming Up Big in Harden and Parsons Absence

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks for posting, he had summed it up well, as I had mentioned in the above post.

      Delete
  39. Good post game interview by JLin. Nine more games left in the regular season. Depending on the timeline of Harden's return (as soon as tomorrow), this is probably the last game this season we see JLin being able to play his position without sharing the ball with the point guard committee (Harden, Parsons, Beverley, Delfino). JLin knows full well that he isn't being used the right way, and developed some sort of allergy to the 4th quarter due to McHale. He wouldn't be opposed to be traded away from the Rockets in the offseason.

    The Rockets organization attitude and their media coverage of JLin (or lack thereof), combined with their promotion of Beverley, makes me suspicious about their intentions. This seems familiar to how the Knicks downplayed Linsanity and promoted Melo when Woodson took over last year. The Rockets (Morey & McHale) may be trying to build a case (to the owner and or the Rockets fans) that JLin isn't important to the organization and is easily replaceable, therefore it's okay to trade him. If that was their intention all along, then it makes sense that they are not promoting JLin and not allowing him his play time on the court. Maybe it's my wishful thinking, but I'm looking forward to the offseason to see what kind of movements are made by the Rockets front office.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is the NBA where usually stuff does not make sense.

      I simply enjoy Lin's career as it is.

      Delete
    2. The best scenario for Lin's audition for the "American Idol PG" in the past 2 games are for many GMs to scribble in their offseason plan that:

      1. Lin-led offense beat Clippers team (even if they're tired) and got CP3 into foul trouble. This was with Lin's shooting struggle.
      2. Lin "the sole PG"-led offense had 19pts/11asts in just 3 quarters and more importantly made his teammates better (Asik, Garcia, Smith)

      Even if McHale/Morey fundamentally disagrees with Lin's Linsanity PG style which might breaks the Moreyball system, many NBA teams would love to have Lin in their teams.

      If McHale/Morey chose to trade Lin who epitomizes team basketball for Harden-centric offense which ironically materializes into the 'sticky' basketball style that McHale hatest, it's truly their loss.

      But I'm not sure Les would let Lin leave. He's a pretty big Lin fan. My guess is Les' command will be to give Harden and Lin another season to gel.

      Delete
    3. The Rox are promoting the crap out of Lin to get money from his legions of Asian fans. I mean they were playing some Chinese music jingle in the middle of the game yesterday. Never heard it before. Could it because it was the game in which Lin was the only true star?

      The way they promote Lin as a marketing ploy is in complete opposite to how they treat him as a player. Lin could be the biggest star both ways if the team showed Lin some faith as the leader if the team - a la Knicks at the height of Linsanity.

      Just imagine where Lin's stature would be if this was Lin's team - and harden wasn't traded here.

      U have to wonder about this organizations faith in Lin as a true basketball player.

      Delete
    4. "I'm not sure Les would let Lin leave. He's a pretty big Lin fan."

      I wonder if Les is fan of Lin's game or his marketing potential.

      Delete
  40. JLin vs. Magic 04/01/2013 Highlights - by Blaiyan

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6IqR5Ul-og

    ReplyDelete
  41. "You can always do anything with any five players; it’s just a matter of buying into it and going through the kinks of doing something new at this point."

    Well said Jeremy Lin during the interview. You are the PG. When you have the ball in your hand then you can direct the others 4 guys working for the win better than any just one individual iso hero ball great player.

    But the question is when you are meeting a good defend team like Miami, Memphis or Indiana that load up on you. You have to figure out the way to beat the double team defend on you. That's the challenge. That's the fun part. Hope you can one one day overcome this (such as a revenge win over Miami)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's when iso Harden or iso Lin actually works!

      When defenses load up on people and shut down fancy offensive schemes, that's when superstar talent like Lin's takes over.

      Isolation basketball is a very good tool when used in the proper context.

      Delete
    2. “We can play off of each other,” said Lin. “We can run two pick-and-rolls; one on one side of the floor then swing-swing it to another. It’s just a matter of creating that structure and that spacing that we need. Sometimes we get a little bogged down when we have me, Chandler and James all in there.

      “Tonight I was the point guard and I wasn’t just a point guard on the team I was the point guard and it was nice. But we’re a much more dangerous team with James. The fact of the matter is we’ve got to be able to do what we both are really good at together at the same time for each other. It’s not that we don’t want it – it’s just we’re trying to figure it out and it takes time.”


      http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-make-magic-disappear-0

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  42. TRob's steal is Steal of the Night

    http://watch.nba.com/nba/video/channels/top_plays/2013/04/01/20130401-steal-of-night.nba?tab=1

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    1. Top Ten Play of the Day

      8th: Jeremy's pinpoint pass to Asik for a Slam Dunk

      3th: TRob's Steal and Reverse Slam Dunk

      http://watch.nba.com/nba/video/channels/top_plays/2013/04/01/20130401-top-10.nba?tab=1

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    2. 3rd: TRob's Steal and Reverse Slam Dunk

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  43. There are a few topics that I would like to put my 2 cents to;

    1. The potential of Jeremy Lin- Most LOF thinks he'll become a 20/10 player where as most LOH think he's basically at this potential which is 12/6. In reality, I think JLin will be somewhere in between which is 16/8- 18/9.

    2. James Harden- No doubt, he's a prolific scorer that can create havoc in any defensive scheme. But that's all he is at this point of his career and that is why he was 6th man of the year, i.e Jamal Crawford (better player now than when he was a starter). Now am I saying that he should come off the bench? No, coaches just need to understand his limitations and ADJUST the offensive and defensive schemes to maximize his true potential.

    3. Difference between Lin and Harden/Beverly- There's a book that I read in college call "Good to Great." If I remember correctly, it stresses that great leaders set employees up for success where as bad leaders only looks out for self preservation. This is exactly what Lin does on the court. He puts players in position for success even if it doesn't show in the stat line. Simplest is pounding the ball into Gregg Smith and let him go to work or setting up the hockey pass. Lin's philosophy is, put your trust in me and WE will get to the promise land together. Harden's is basically, give me the ball and I will get you there which is what the NBA is about today.

    4. Trust- Lin trusts every teammate. He truly believes in team play and that collective energy is the most important. He will take the extra step and feed his teammate the ball to give them confidence. There was one play where Omer didn't know to pick or post. Lin told him to get into the block and force fed him the ball. Afterwards saying you got this... It's funny how a little confidence can go a long way... Harden needs to relinquish some of his control and stop thinking he can do everything on the offensive end.

    There it is, had to get this off my chest... thanks for reading.

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    1. It is true that had Asik and Greg Smith played without Lin, they would not be getting as many chances to score and as a result, improve their game. Whatever you think of Lin, you have to admit this much, that Lin gets other players involved. This is why these two guys, more than anyone else, better set good picks for Lin.

      Now, having said this, I believe Lin's approach will get you to certain level, but against 4 to 6 top teams in NBA, I don't know if Rockets have enough of talent level to make a push in the playoffs.

      I also think Harden is a great passer when he wants to be. Mac is not wise in overplaying both Parsons and Harden. He should have reduced their PT by around 4 to 5 minutes per game and then let Anderson play more.

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    2. That i exactly what I think of Lin, he gets players involved. Regarding Harden as a good passer, I have my reservations. I have few thoughts about that;

      1. His assists come from the perimeter and off pick and roll. Not saying that those are not good but it's with the intention of score first, pass second. It might be a good pass but not necessarily the right pass. Part of it is his court vision and not just the scorers mentality i guess.

      2. When Harden has the ball, the rest of the team simply do not know if they should slash or not because chances are Harden is going drive in and they don't want to clog the lane.

      3. Both.

      I don't think they'll pass the first round simply not enough experience and talent level is not there yet. Also deciphering McHale's game plan is not, "Rocket Science"

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    3. In terms of this put team above self thing, it's not exactly an exception to the rule that Jeremy is implementing.

      It's just a matter of whether Lin is playing the standard PG role, and the rest of the team gets to play their standard roles as well. So, it's easier to play as a team as opposed to the scattered brain Moreyball.

      Moreyball is about stat padding as he thinks stats is the key to winning. And, McHell is all about moving the ball. "moving the ball" is code word for giving the ball to the franchise stat padder because Morey believes as long as his star and second star achieve certain key statistics, the team will win.

      So, it's great that Lin is about team first. But, not sure we should shower that with accolades cuz that's the way it SHOULD be. Basketball IS a team sport after all.

      It's Moreyball and McHell with their stat driven moving the ball crap that's totally dysfunctional and they should be punished for tanking a team that should be winning over 70% of their games.

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    4. I would say that it's 80% of the NBA. NBA is a stats game these days.
      Yes, the traditional PG has the responsibility of getting everyone involved but to do it well is a different story. There aren't really any John Stockton type point guards any more. Even Jeremy doesn't fit that mode. My praise is not him reinventing the wheel but actually using the "wheel" to it's fullest effect.

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    5. I would say NBA is strategy driven and stats are used to analyze and develop the strategies used.

      Whereas, Moreyball is stats driving the strategy, the cart is pulling the donkey.

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    6. So, you're saying every team is managed the same way Houston is where a statistician calls all the shots?

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    7. The best way to look at it is to compare it to UFC fighting. You can use the head, both fists and both legs to beat an opponent, but with Mchale at the head, he wants to use his number 1 option right cross and number 2 option left jab to win. Meanwhile his opponent is using all of his weapons but your right arm can't stay up to defend.

      With Lin as the head coach, he uses all of his assets and feeds his two strong legs a lot of kicks to pound away at his oppoent. This means the right arm is able to have reserve to defend his vitals, while making selective good punches with both jabs and crosses. Meanwhile the opponent knows just to expect arm punches and nothing else.

      It's not rocket science to understand that in order to be effective in a dog fight, you must have multiple options to strike your opponent. I've harped about how Mchale's lack of strategy and tactics is revealed in how he looks for offensive production. Stats driven people never can see the big picture. Lin however knows that no matter how many points harden and parsons score, they can only produce at most 65-75 points on a hot night! With no defense, they have to come up with 110 - 120 pts to win. That means he needs contribution from Asik, Lin and GS or Dmo. This whole season has been about riding harden and parsons with little regards to developing the other scoring threats.

      In truth, it's Lin who is guiding this young team into maturity and not the coach.

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  44. Lin's putting up Michael Jordan production in Jeremy Lin minutes.

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  45. Now that JLin's team-mates (san Harden) had a taste of Linsanity style team-ball, how would they feel when it goes back to the inevitable Harden hero-ball? :P

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    1. We've been there. The teammates go back to freezing Lin out when iso-ball is back. Most of the team are composed of young and journey guys who are not looking to sacrifice minutes in order to win.

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  46. I just want to see one more game this season as Lin as THE pg. The sac game would be perfect place to do that.

    But I fear McHale et al will force him back as to avoid any pg controversy prior to starting the playoffs.

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  47. This season has been quite tumultuous for Jeremy to say the least. While I'm ecstatic that Jeremy was again able to showcase his talent, it happened at a critical juncture of the season in which Jeremy seemed to hit rock bottom and the Rockets were turning for the worse in probably falling out of playoff contention if the losing continued. Is God calling Jeremy's number and foreshadowing and prepping McHale for the playoffs?

    Lin last year: “God works in mysterious and miraculous ways.”

    Sorry If I offended anyone referencing God this way.

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    1. Could it be possible that the Houston Rockets play the New York Knicks in the finals. We know Houston hasn't been playing very good defense throughout the season, but in the last two games, they were fantastic. Can the Rocket's defense hold up in the playoffs? If yes, we may GO - ALL - THE - WAY. I'm still day dreaming....

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