Lin isn't playing a role that is much different than the one he played with Houston. His usage rate in Charlotte, 22.2%, is pretty similar to his usage rate in Houston (20.8% and 20.4% in each of the two seasons). He is being used as a ball-handler/dribble penetrator, often playing with a couple other guys who can handle the same duties (Parsons/Harden in Houston, Walker/Batum in Charlotte) in offenses that focus on spacing, 3 point shooting and having multiple dribble attacks. So I don't think it is fair to say that one team is using Lin correctly and another team using him incorrectly. If anything, one change with Lin is some of the decisions he makes on the court. He is turning the ball less, but also shooting a lower%. This is like the result of him going after fewer risky "home run" plays and instead just taking a shot that's available even if it isn't necessarily a high % shot.
The main difference is that in Charlotte, the coaches let him play through his mistakes, and Kemba/Batum/Jefferson are supportive of him. In Houston, he would get pulled quickly for making a mistake, and it really seemed like Harden didn't respect him much. And the Houston media *never* wrote/said anything positive about Lin, whereas the Charlotte media seems very positive about him. Lin has talked about how much more chemistry and friendship exists with the Hornets than it did in Houston (or any other team he's been on in the NBA).
I blame Lin fans for joining a Rockets board with no interest of being Rockets fans and yes, Lin sucked as a point guard as a rocket. hence he got demoted then traded. sure he has good games here and there but he eventually floats back to his averages.
It doesn't matter that he'll "come back to earth." The simple fact is that he can be a difference maker off the bench, which is more than any of our current bench players (and even some starters) can do right now. It's embarrassing.
^ Michael Beasley, of all people, has been our difference maker off the bench. Can't say that for anyone else on the bench currently though
With all due respect imho I think a lot has to do with the system tons of off ball motion, he gets screens which were never really a part of the Houston game plan. Kemba and Lin seem to work well together as they both play with speed and attack the paint. The other guys seem to look for the ball because they know both the guards will look to get them involved. The first year there were some similarities but it developed into isolation and guys standing at the 3 point line. Not to mention the actual ability to complete pick and rolls. I credit the system all those guys are overachieving
Different kind of characters and leadership lead to different kind of team chemistry and performance. But it's a good match of Harden's characters and Houston Rockets' culture.
it's very interesting that it is criticizing the rockets in the jeremy lin thread, while all the rockets fans criticize the rockets in the rockets threads L O F alert
I don't really remember a population of more than 10 joining this site for any other player besides tmac, yao and lin. dwight, harden and artest do not attract that many crazed fans.
Most people underestimate Lin's contribution on the team chemistry. The way he write articles, making films, prepares gifts, forming bible reading group and arranging gatherings for his team, greatly improves teammates' relationship. That's no coincidence for a team with half new teammates.
It's like water always flowing down, good character players always get attracted to teams with good culture. With the reputation of Morey's trading habits and team foundation of James Harden's playing style, good players with choices would always stay away with Houston.
Kobe would be another Melo and Harden had he not met with a prime Shaq, Gasol and Phi Jackson. It's no coincidence that his team slumped to lottery when Shaq and Phi gone. As for Melo, his chance of winning a championship as a primary contributor may have gone. There's chance if he accepts to be a sidekick, but I doubt if he is willing to sacrifice. At the end of the day, he would probably retired with no rings and remembered as a team cancer, tho with some good stats.
And for Harden, he may have thought himself as the MVP of the league and above the team and coach. Chance of him becoming another team cancer like Melo is getting higher and higher.
This is not a slight on Harden, it is what it is. But Harden is alot like Carmelo. Carmelo also took the Nuggets to the WCF. Carmelo a few years back was THE most lethal pure scorer in the NBA. When you watch the Knicks of the past few seasons and Rockets this season, both teams stand around watching their superstar play isoball. Both have similar criticisms throughout their careers of not playing hard on defense, or limitations knowing how to play off-the-ball. Honestly because of their defensive limitations but yet their undeniably stellar scoring ability (Carmelo in his prime) they were both probably suited as perfect Robins on a championship caliber team. I hope Harden doesn't follow the path of Carmelo, but for our team's sake I hope Harden becomes our Robin for our Batman and we can aspire for some championships soon.
