[Houston Chronicle] Things Are Looking Up For the Lin Crowd

CarolNYC · Mar 25, 2013

Some quotes on Lin from McHale and Morey in this piece…Nothing earth-shattering, but it's a nice, positive piece....on a day when everyone should be nice and positive, I think, after such a big and important win last night...but then, what do I know anyway?

Things are looking up for the Lin crowd
By Randy Harvey
March 25, 2013 12:01 AM

One year ago Sunday, a remarkable chapter in sports history ended.

Linsanity.

It was actually a short story. A young Asian-American point guard from Harvard, released by his first two NBA teams, went from the end of the bench for his third team to become one of the most brilliant comets ever to streak across the New York City skyline.

But on March 14, 2012, he injured his knee, ending his season after a mere 28 games in the starting lineup and, ultimately, his days as a member of the Knicks.

There has been no revival in Houston.

However, we do not come here today to bury Linsanity but to praise Jeremy Lin.

He has not been all-world like his devoted fans around the globe believe or even an NBA All-Star. But the Rockets don't believe they would be where they are, a half-game out of sixth place in the Western Conference, if they didn't have him.

"I think the first month and a half, he was trying to figure out our system, and we were trying to figure him out,'' coach Kevin McHale said before Sunday night's game at Toyota Center against San Antonio. "But he has played really, really solid since - not always with glamorous statistics but really helping the team play well.''

Lin would not have one of his better games against the Spurs. He looked like the "round peg in the square hole'' McHale said he had been early in the season.

Boost from Beverley

The Rockets still won 96-95, beating the conference leaders for the first time in four tries this season in large part because of the game Patrick Beverley played off the bench when Lin was sitting there.

While Lin did not score in the first half, finishing the game with six points in 27 minutes, Beverley almost single-handedly prevented the Rockets from lagging too far behind by connecting on four of four shots, including two from 3-point range, for 11 points in 11 minutes of the first and second quarters.

Beverley didn't score again after halftime. James Harden took it from there offensively, finishing with 29 points. That included the game-winning field goal with 4.5 seconds remaining, although McHale called a blocked shot by Beverley that set off the Rockets' late rally "probably the biggest play of the game for us.''

"Pat gave us a huge lift off the bench, especially on a night where I really wasn't doing much of anything,'' Lin said.

Until Sunday night, Lin had been doing a lot during this critical stretch of seven consecutive - and nine of 10 - games at Toyota Center. They are 5-1 during the homestand, a record they probably couldn't have achieved without Lin, whether it was through his inspirational pep talk during a timeout against Phoenix, the second-half comeback he led against Utah when the Jazz smothered Harden, or the three consecutive 20-point games he had for the first time since he was in New York, igniting mini-sanity.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, who is on a European tour seeking out the next Omer Asik or Donatas Motiejunas, spoke by phone Sunday about adjustments Lin has had to make since arriving in Houston.

"With Linsanity, Jeremy knew he had to have the ball in his hands in order for the team to win,'' Morey said, referring to Lin's role without other playmakers on the floor because of injuries. "He was required to freelance.''

With the Rockets, the ball more often has been in Harden's hands.

"It took some time for chemistry to develop,'' Morey said. "But the coaching staff has done a good job of getting both of them more comfortable with each other and putting Jeremy in the right places where he can be successful.''

Healthy knees help

More significantly, Morey said Lin has finally recovered from knee surgery last April to repair a torn meniscus.

Earlier this season, Lin fans weren't bashful in expressing their displeasure with McHale and assistant coach Kelvin Sampson, who took over the team on an interim basis, for letting Lin sit on the bench too often for too long.
Some of that had to do with Lin's inconsistency. But even he acknowledged at one point his "speed, explosiveness and agility'' were not at the level they had been before the injury.

"We had a series of back-to-back games and a couple of stretches of four games in five nights, and the coaches learned he needed more rest,'' Morey said, scoffing at the theory of some Lin fans that McHale and Sampson didn't use him more because they disagreed with his signing. "It took him awhile to get back to 100 percent. He's there now.

"It's been a big part of our evolution as a team that Jeremy just continues to improve.''

He might not quite be a comet, but he could very well become a star.

Read more: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...p-for-the-Lin-crowd-4381132.php#ixzz2OZpDBYQR
Click to expand...

Clutch · Mar 25, 2013

CarolNYC said: ↑

In spite of Jeremy playing so terribly, the inevitable loss of his spot in the starting lineup (if there is any justice in this world) to the great and powerful PBev (who I like a lot), and the recent multiplication of CF accounts created specifically to **** on Jeremy, things apparently are looking up for the Lin crowd.
Click to expand...

Ricksmith · Mar 25, 2013

[CHRONIC] Some people hate it, some people love it.

Roxs · Mar 25, 2013

I still wouldn't quite call myself a long-term believer in Lin as the Rocket's franchise PG, but I absolutely love players that take accountability and acknowledgement for their poor play.

I wish nothing but success for the guy, especially in a Rocket's uniform.

rockbox · Mar 25, 2013

It seems I have the same view of Lin as coach McHale has. I guess I'm a LOH, despite the fact I've been a rockets fan for about as Lin has been alive.

Haymitch · Mar 25, 2013

rockbox said: ↑

It seems I have the same view of Lin as coach McHale has. I guess I'm a LOH, despite the fact I've been a rockets fan for about as Lin has been alive.
Click to expand...

Same for me, but I am young and with limitless* potential.

*Actual potential may be severely limited.

L7N · Mar 25, 2013

CarolNYC said: ↑

In spite of Jeremy playing so terribly, the inevitable loss of his spot in the starting lineup (if there is any justice in this world) to the great and powerful PBev (who I like a lot), and the recent multiplication of CF accounts created specifically to **** on Jeremy, things apparently are looking up for the Lin crowd.

Seriously, tho, some quotes on Lin from McHale and Morey in this piece…Nothing earth-shattering, but it's a nice, positive piece....
Click to expand...

So much god damn drama, this crap makes "days of our lives" seem like an action series in comparison.

L7N · Mar 25, 2013

actually made me laugh out loud when you said Beverly and starting line up in the same sentence.

Jenopogi · Mar 25, 2013

L7N said: ↑

So much god damn drama, this crap makes "days of our lives" seem like an action series in comparison.
Click to expand...

lol.

just a word · Mar 25, 2013

CarolNYC said: ↑

In spite of Jeremy playing so terribly, the inevitable loss of his spot in the starting lineup (if there is any justice in this world) to the great and powerful PBev (who I like a lot), and the recent multiplication of CF accounts created specifically to **** on Jeremy, things apparently are looking up for the Lin crowd.

Seriously, tho, some quotes on Lin from McHale and Morey in this piece…Nothing earth-shattering, but it's a nice, positive piece....

"We had a series of back-to-back games and a couple of stretches of four games in five nights, and the coaches learned he needed more rest,'' Morey said, scoffing at the theory of some Lin fans that McHale and Sampson didn't use him more because they disagreed with his signing. "It took him awhile to get back to 100 percent. He's there now.

"It's been a big part of our evolution as a team that Jeremy just continues to improve.''
Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Good to hear this, and confirms suspicions I've had about Lin's minutes limited by resting the knee.

I also noticed that he gets pulled faster if he's getting fouled a lot but the ref's aren't calling it, even if Lin plays well.

tminusrex · Mar 25, 2013

These past two games Lin has had very bad match ups with Tony Parker being much faster than he is and Livingston being taller and longer. I expect him to bounce back against George Hill who is his equal in terms of salary and skill set.

daspydamayn · Mar 25, 2013

trap thread

Sen89 · Mar 25, 2013

tminusrex said: ↑

These past two games Lin has had very bad match ups with Tony Parker being much faster than he is and Livingston being taller and longer. I expect him to bounce back against George Hill who is his equal in terms of salary and skill set.
Click to expand...

Advanced stats say that Hill is actually the best PG defender in the league, along with Conley (by DWS and DRtg).

And in terms of overall Win Shares, Hill is 5th amongst PGs (behind CP3, Westbrook, Parker and Curry) and 13th overall in the NBA with 8.9. That's pretty darn impressive.

WSWhippets · Mar 25, 2013

tminusrex said: ↑

These past two games Lin has had very bad match ups with Tony Parker being much faster than he is and Livingston being taller and longer. I expect him to bounce back against George Hill who is his equal in terms of salary and skill set.
Click to expand...

How do you explain 38 on Parker in San Antonio? How do you explain 29 against Westbrook? They aren't bad matchups. They're called OFF
NIGHTS. JL is going to have stretches now and again being young and given his role in the rox offense. It's fine. He's a fantastic young player and the Rox and ALL their fans should be glad to have him.

WinkFan · Mar 25, 2013

Sen89 said: ↑

Advanced stats say that Hill is actually the best PG defender in the league, along with Conley (by DWS and DRtg).

And in terms of overall Win Shares, Hill is 5th amongst PGs (behind CP3, Westbrook, Parker and Curry) and 13th overall in the NBA with 8.9. That's pretty darn impressive.
Click to expand...

Players on good defensive teams always have better DRtg and DWS. He's 12th on his own team in DRtg, and 4th in DWS.

liljojo · Mar 25, 2013

Ummm...I'm pretty sure Lin didn't lose his starting spot because of an off night...

Haymitch · Mar 25, 2013

tminusrex said: ↑

These past two games Lin has had very bad match ups with Tony Parker being much faster than he is and Livingston being taller and longer. I expect him to bounce back against George Hill who is his equal in terms of salary and skill set.
Click to expand...

What the hell?

thadeus · Mar 25, 2013

There is not a single person on the internet who signed up at clutchfans.net just to bag on Jeremy Lin.

fchowd0311 · Mar 25, 2013

thadeus said: ↑

There is not a single person on the internet who signed up at clutchfans.net just to bag on Jeremy Lin.
Click to expand...

Are you 100% sure about that I'm pretty sure I have seen screen names dedicated to tearing Lin apart (Lolin)

gorockets2009 · Mar 25, 2013

It's funny I was listening to the 790 today that they kept talking about Lin's contract is not a very bad one for D. Morey. Actually they mean is it is a bad one for the Rockets for 8 million a year.

Forums

[Houston Chronicle] Things Are Looking Up For the Lin Crowd

CarolNYC Contributing Member

Clutch Administrator
Staff Member

Ricksmith Contributing Member

Roxs Member

rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

Haymitch Custom Title
Supporting Member

L7N Member

L7N Member

Jenopogi Contributing Member

just a word Member

tminusrex Rookie

daspydamayn Member

Sen89 Member

WSWhippets Member

WinkFan Contributing Member

liljojo Member

Haymitch Custom Title
Supporting Member

thadeus Contributing Member

fchowd0311 Contributing Member

gorockets2009 Rookie

Share This Page

About ClutchFans

Rockets Content

Support ClutchFans!

[Houston Chronicle] Things Are Looking Up For the Lin Crowd

CarolNYC Contributing Member

Clutch Administrator Staff Member

Ricksmith Contributing Member

Roxs Member

rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

Haymitch Custom Title Supporting Member

L7N Member

L7N Member

Jenopogi Contributing Member

just a word Member

tminusrex Rookie

daspydamayn Member

Sen89 Member

WSWhippets Member

WinkFan Contributing Member

liljojo Member

Haymitch Custom Title Supporting Member

thadeus Contributing Member

fchowd0311 Contributing Member

gorockets2009 Rookie

Share This Page

Clutch Administrator
Staff Member

Haymitch Custom Title
Supporting Member

Haymitch Custom Title
Supporting Member