I think Lin's passing and court-vision would be more devastating if the Rockets had people that made hard cuts to the baskets. We have it somewhat on direct PnRs with Asik and Smith (today at least), but there's no cutters from the wings or baseline, or trailers from the big guys. Parsons, Delfino, Cook, even Morris don't seem comfortable to play like this. Harden did it once and resulted in a spectacular dunk. The reason why I say this is that it seems Lin is probing and probing and looking for the cutters or trailers (like Roxxy said), but no one was to be found. Quite different from how his ex-teammates at the Knicks like Landry and Shumpert would cut from the baseline and wing, and STATS would trail Lin's penetration for some easy baskets.
Lin would have scored more..there were a couple of his driving baskets where he was fouled and there was no calls from the ref when he was clearly hacked. Typical homer refs but those things don't affect Lin
This is probably the most rational comment in this thread. Personally, I think Lin is a better fit for the team - he's younger than Lowry and Dragic, so he has more potential than either of them. Of course he may not live up to it, but it will be interesting to watch. He's a better fit for this team, since he's the same age, and has a lot to prove like everyone else on the team.
My Lin Takes; High Bball IQ and shares with others Shows good leadership skils and willing to direct/lead Sometimes dribbles too much (NY thing) Defense is suspect at times, however, has steals. Waiting to see him perform against the elite PG's that we have to beat to get into the playoffs The jumper is suspect, takes too many 3's (put in the Sam Cassell mid range tape) Unless he gets strong, quicker, and shoots better he's reached his apex.
I have a feeling McHale won't use Lin to his strengths. But then again, this is Harden's team now, and Lin will have to adapt, I guess.
He's plenty fast and strong. The only knock on his athleticism is his hops. He just started his 26th game, and is only 24 years old. He has plenty of upside, and time to improve. The other points you made, I disagree with, but are arguable. Your last point is not, there are plenty of metrics on his speed and he's about 200 lbs, that isn't small.
I agree his defense isn't the best but it's above average..but I'll take his 3-4 steals per game along side 3 turnovers than having 0 turnovers and 0 steals per game because he usually turns it over when he makes daring passes which sometimes the scrubs in his team can't catch. And his steals are momentum boost for the team.
You are a LOH, period. Which eye did you see people said lin is a superstar and best player on the planet? Why do I only see people say he is a solid player tonight and he has lots of potential?
His strength, size and speed are not an issue. He's actually a little above average size for the PG position. As for his speed and quickness, his combine results are NO joke... I really have NO idea why people don't think he's quick when analyst after analyst has noted that he has one of the quickest first steps around. As for his shooting, he was 5/12 last night. His pre-season shooting was terrible (25%), but it was the pre-season. Until I see weak shooting throughout the ACTUAL season, I don't see it as a significant concern. Also, shooting is one of the most EASILY improvable skills, unlike court vision, or shot creation. His shooting definitely improved last year from the previous year. And his shooting cieling is hard to assess this year as he's coming off knee surgery. His defense will improve (it's one of the LAST skills to improve as a pro), as will his shooting if he continues to work on it (worked with his shooting coach again this off season). Really, I have no idea how you can argue that he's at his "apex". Regarding this... Player development is not an age thing - it's a reps thing. The longer you are in the NBA or a pro, the more time you have to benefit from NBA level coaching, NBA scrimmages, NBA level competition and advice from veteran players. A player who has spent 5 years in the league has a HUGE learning curve advantage over someone who has spent only 1 or 2 years. It is very much a function of repetition when it comes to reaching NBA potential. It also happens to be a curve of diminishing returns. Even if you discount that as arguable, arguing that a 2 year age difference is NOT a significant difference makes no sense as well. We don't hold players coming off their 1st and 2nd years to the same standard or developmental expectations as 5 year veterans... that is unless the comparison is with Jeremy Lin and other 5+ year Veterans in the league. In the NBA, PG's have typically entered their prime in a 3-6 year time frame. It takes them that long to assimilate the play sets, differences in play style, subtle rule changes, refereeing, the system they are playing in and the coaching. Essentially, consider this argument. If Dragic never played another single game, and Lin spent the next 2 years working with coaches, practicing his shot, scrimmaging, and playing NBA level games do you REALLY think that he wouldn't surpass Dragic's performance last year? That he could NOT get more than another 5 field goals out of 383 attempts? That his passing decisions would NOT improve beyond Dragic's? That he would NOT improve in his decisions on the defense? And then starting at the same age, that Dragic would Clearly have loads more upside Lin? To do so is severely undervaluing NBA play time, coaching and experience in my view. That said, everyone is entitled to believe that Dragic at 26 will continue to get better and Lin will not. However, logically it makes NO sense to me. It's as logical as arguing that Harden has peaked at the age of 23. Yet somehow Harden is a potential superstar and Lin has reached his "Apex". Just some stuff to think about... P.S - McHale's offense last year was arguably as PG centric as D'Antoni's, with similar speed and pace... it's why a number of analysts believe that Lin will excel here in Houston. I just happen to agree with that analysis.
http://nymag.com/daily/sports/2012/11/jeremy-lin-played-fine-for-rockets-last-night.html Some NY love for Lin
I actually think this thread has been helpful for the community. I think both sides Rocket Fans who compare current players to past players and Lin only Fans. I think we better understand where each side is coming from. Understanding = respect. I hope Lin develops into an all-star caliber PG but I don’t expect that. My biggest concerns with Lin are his basketball strength (not weight room strength), his knee and his lateral quickness on defense. Offensively, I think he’ll hold his own and end up averaging (as the team is currently constructed) 14 point 7.5 assists 1.5 steals 3.5 TO
Holy crap! 22 pages overnight. This must be a fantastic thread about a topic never discussed here on CF. Srsly tho. I'll just be happy when Lin's outside jumper is consistent. Right now, his offense is basically just throwing himself at the opposing team's big men, tossing the ball up and hoping to get a call from the refs. It was good enough in the first game of the year, but I'll be interested to see how teams adjust to his offensive abilities.
i hate ppl just look at stats then $h!t sth. go watch the game. lin played very well and controlled the flow and tried to get everyone involved. one thing i noticed is lin kept ball live most time instead picking up and got him in trouble. he looks like nash. we're talking about PG. on the other hand, i watched a little bit suns game. dragic didn't control the game like lin did. dragic absolutely is better on offense than lin but dragic didn't make his teammates better. lin is better PG to me.
Nice teaser. Care to expand on this thought? Superficially, it doesn't make sense why a team wouldn't use its resources fully.
