How so? #6 by PER, #7 by TS, #4 in WS/VORP, #7 in WS/48, #5 in +/-... I said he was the 6th best player on that team., and that sounds about right.
I think there's a big drop off from Williams, Batum, and Walker to everyone else. But it's a free country.
You know this guy is impersonating that's from houston right? You are talking to a completely souless and mindless linsect
I disagree. Walker is dynamic as a scorer with superb ball-handles, but he is average as a facilitator and his size prevents him from being a strong defender. Batum is a very good player, but he is sometimes lazy and is a turnover machine (yes, much worse with the TOs than Lin). Williams...solid player with a nice 3pt touch, but no real post game for a PF. The Hornets are doing well this season because the roster has talent, but more importantly there is trust and chemistry on the team from top to bottom. There aren't really any standout players here.
I was laughing when he got 3 fouls before he got any points, assists or rebounds. He played better in the second half. But still, typical Lin
Well that's a novel take on Batum and Walker. Haha I am winding down my participation in this thread, I didn't realize that Lin fandom was still going at a full roar.
He put up 35 in an OT win against the Raptors last week. Lin and Lamb are the top back-up guard duo in the Eastern Conference. Not sure I'd call that "struggling to be relevant as a backup"...
Is it? There are plenty of Hornets fans who thought the Hornets over-paid for Walker on his current contract. And Batum is averaging 3.1 turnovers per game...maybe I'm just being sensitive because of all the bashing Lin received over the years for his 2.7 avg turnovers with the Rockets, but last I looked, 3.1 is more than 2.7.
My fellow rockets fan, i will warn you about the lof so you won't waste your valuable knowledge on them. If you talked to a pigeon in the park, they will give you better nba conversation than lofs
Btw - what's your take on Batum and Walker? Do you think they are All-Stars? The Houston commentators from last night's game put Walker on/near the level of a Mike Conley...not an All-Star, but an above average PG in the league.
There are no awards for "top back-up guard duo in the Eastern Conference," last I checked. Kemba is having a stellar season and, despite not being a "strong defender," neither is Curry and Kemba has posted 3 consecutive neutral or positive DBPM seasons now, something Lin has never done. In fact, this is the first season that I am truly convinced that Walker can be a star in this league. Before now, I thought he was an undersized, inefficient volume shooter. Kudos to Clifford for figuring out how to maximize his best player's talents. So for you to knock on Kemba's performance this season is disingenuous, especially in favor of Lin, who is having an unremarkable season. And Batum is primarily a 3 and D guy, and he's doing both of those things rather well. He's averaging 1.2 steals a game as well, close to double Lin's count. Steals are one of the most valuable contributions to the game in terms of measurable "stats." I'd refer you to the .538 piece regarding that, if you're interested. While Lin has similar steals/100 possesions or per 36, he's also a minus defender, so it's not realistic to expect that he can play 36 minutes without getting torched by the many PG's who are better basketball players than him, and its quite conceivable that despite his steals his contributions defensively, in terms of +/-, would be neutral or negative. And with that, I bid you adieu.
I think Walker is just below All Star. I think he's a great shooter, above average passer who is pretty careful with the rock given usage, underrated defender with a game predicated on quickness and playing the passing lanes, and a great floor general. I think Batum is a solid 3 and D guy with good efficiency from downtown but is only average driving the ball, who is an above average passer for position but turnover prone, and is a solid wing defender. I think Lin is a moderately efficient backup PG who has an above average short-range game but is below average shooting at the rim or from downtown, who has finally cut down on his turnovers but also has less of a role as a playmaker than ever before, who is a below average defender who gets steals but routinely gets burned gambling on defense, who is incredibly quick but has poor control and judgment and often finds himself flying towards defenders or beneath the rim or past his man on defense because he can't find that sweet spot between breakneck speed and lollygagging.
Perhaps no awards, but being recognized for strong performance off the bench should be enough to show that he is not "struggling to be relevant as a backup". No question, Kemba is having a strong season. The Hornets are committed to him, and he's doing a great job being a leader on the team. And yes, he *can* be a star in this league...my point is that he isn't one yet. He still occasionally puts up a poor shooting night (eg 2 for 16 against GSW, 2 for 11 against NYK, etc.) and needs to grow more to really elevate himself to All-Star level. I am not "knocking Kemba's performance this season". I have said many times that this is the first year Lin has played behind a legitimate starting PG since he left GSW. I think Kemba Walker is a very talented player, and also a great teammate and team leader. I just don't think that he is so far above the rest of the team (ie. he's not an All-Star)...and that other than his below-average shooting this season, Lin is in the same ball-park as Walker and has contributed to Charlotte's success this season as well as a player off the bench behind a quality player like Walker can be expected to. Batum is being used as a playmaker with the Hornets when Walker is off the court, so he's supposed to be way more than a 3 and D guy. He was a 3 and D guy with Portland, but you have to watch the Hornets this season to see what they are trying to do with him...and it's in this capacity that has led him to more turnovers. He gets a lot more minutes than Lin, so not really fair to compare per game stats. Per36, Batum and Lin are about equal in steals (1.2 vs. 1.1) and Lin actually has far more blocks (1.0 vs. 0.6). In terms of turnovers per36, Batum leads the team with 3.3 (vs. Lin's 2.4). Where are you going?
If you watch the Hornets this season, you'd actually see that Lin has been one of the team's best defenders. Agree that his shooting has been poor this season, not sure why that is...but his shot seems to be on its way back if the last week is any indication. Personally, I think Lin has been the best passer of these three players, but I guess we'll agree to disagree. He also hasn't been used in pick-n-roll much this season, which is odd...
Lin as I have always said is a mediocre back up. Not a mediocre starter but a mediocre back up. Several back up guards better than him. He is a mental midget when the pressure is on as seen last night, has a low basketball IQ and famous for boneheaded plays Lin fans are the worst fanbase ever. No basketball knowledge idiots vicariously living through Lin and foaming at their mouths jumping from team to team and message board to message board claiming racism, marginalization etc as to why Lin is not the all star he is supposed to be.
