But we try to keep (at least I try to) this circus in this thread only so it doesn't pollute the rest of GARM. I'm trying to only respond to ridiculous Lin claims in this thread only.
Response Because of the Linsanity fame, and the media's fanning or using this fame, the sheeps manipulated by the media will believe anything they read. Having said this, Lin did make at least one bone-headed attempt at alley-oop pass at a crucial time -- that was so unlike him I was surprised. Should have brought up the ball for a high percentage shot. He does have a calming, stable influence on the play, and his high-quality passing (not just number of assists) has been good, and his TOs seem to be going down. He's gotta improve jump shots though.
Response A minority of LOFs think Lin has already "proven" that he's a great player, without realizing that in the world of NBA, every player has to prove himself every year, in every game. Some LOFs are actually tougher on Lin and over criticizing him when he doesn't do well. Some -- I like to think myself in this category -- think he has a room to improve but will let his performances show me how far he can improve. I am so far impressed by his passing but not by his shooting. He has to develop a medium jump shots instead of trying to drive to the basket all the time. If he develops a stable jump shots, he has a chance to develop into a 16 to 18 points per game and 9 to 10 assists type of PG. Most LOFs realize that the addition of Harden is good for Lin, and without Harden, no way Rockets were going to have a decent chance at playoffs. However, they hope that Lin will have more chances to control the ball because they believe Lin is more likely to make more unselfish plays and get other players involved. One problem is when Asik has a hard time even putting in gimme's it's hard for Lin to get assists. I have never seen such a good defensive player as Asik suck so bad offensively. All I am asking him to do is when he catches the ball near the basket, go up strongly and dunk the ball or get fouled.
Response I am a Lin fan, but there is no way you can prove someone has a higher potential. As a matter of fact, Lin's weaknesses may never improve, and he may never develop a consistent jump shots. He has one entire season to prove himself, so let's just see and let the numbers come through. One thing I am impressed so far is that Lin does seem to make a good dose of "high quality" assists every game.
Response Devil's advocate. He sure made a stupid attempt at an alley-oop against Blazers. Even Lin said he would like to forget that play. I am just glad he has one season to prove himself and improve, while playing with a player of Harden's caliber and experience.
Well, you are putting words in my mouth, so I can't speak to your claim. I have simply pointed out FACTS (inside joke) which place Lin in rarefied air, at a very early stage of his career.
As Lin said himself at the end of last season, "My biggest fear is to come back as good, I have to be a lot better". He knows he's not a great player yet and he is always looking for ways to improve. I think the fans who want to put the ball in Lin's hands instead of Harden's are worried that Harden will become another Melo. But I think it's too early to worry just because of a few iso plays in the last game.
Response So-called scrubs of Knicks did provide some help in the Linsanity taking place; I mean it's inaccurate to say Lin did it all by himself, because Schumpert guy is a defensive force. The last time I checked Novak is still deadly with his 3 point shots. I wish we had him in Rockets. The strength of Lin is that he tries more often than not involve all players when they are open, thereby making players try harder. Even Chandler is not getting as many easy open looks now than Lin is gone. Probably the same for Fields also.
Response I agree, and I am sure what you say is true. I do not blame Harden having the all at the end at all; the dumb mistakes already took place before then.
Response I know. I meant that if Lin plays really badly (which I do not see happening) this season, he may be relegated to a backup position. I see the major impetus behind the Linsanity as one underdog guy's working his ass off to make the team and get some attention. You have to respect that.
That's the thing, the so-called scrubs would still be scrubs if not for Linsanity. Shump and Novak's talents were always there, but before Linsanity Shump was playing PG, Novak was a waived bench warmer like Lin, and the Knicks were losing and losing and losing. Lin brought out the best of them. He found Novak and set him up for the 3's. Lin is not a god, but he is always there to help his teammates.
Response Look, I agree with you, but I find it offensive to call NBA players "scrubs" because Lin himself was just such a "scrub" who, when the forces lined up, bloomed. I can also see why "star" players might not like playing with Lin, because Lin will just as likely pass to a "scrub" in better position to score as a "star" player. But with Asik's too passive offensive mind-set, I don't know if Lin can get so many assists.
Too bad you started watching Novak when Lin showed up. He hasn't changed. He's off to a great start this year. You'll not convince anyone who has watched Rockets ball for longer than this year that Lin made Novak.
No, as I said, Novak's talent was always there, but the Knicks were not making good use of him until Lin started playing with him and getting him the ball, as Novak could not create his own shots and no one was making plays for him, thus he was on the bench most of the time. Novak was claimed off waiver so apparently his previous team couldn't make good use of him either. Novak is off to a great start this year because he's been working hard on his weaknesses all summer.
I used the term "scrubs" because it was in the previous comment. I don't like to call anyone anything demeaning.
I love Novak too, but you're a darned liar if you're telling us you were a Novak fan from his Rockets days. He played all of 5-7 mpg during his time as a Rocket and made almost three times as many 3's in his one shortened season as a Knick than during his entire time as a Rocket. All credit to Novak for doing the hard work and making the shots, but Lin was a big part of why he went from unguaranteed league minimum to getting paid this year. For basketball reasons and definitely for off the court reasons.
Novak always could shoot but his defense was such a liability that it seemed a net negative to have him in the game. It was only in last season, with Lin's help, that Novak's value became clear. (Btw, Novak's defense this year looks improved over last season.) Novak, as we all know, is a player who depends on someone else to set him up, since he has no ability to create his own shot. In fact, 130 of his 133 treys last year were assisted! And Lin assisted him more than any other teammate. That is why it is fair to give credit Lin for helping Novak have a break out year. This is obvious from watching the games and it is confirmed by the numbers. Of Novak's 130 assisted treys for the entirety of last season, Lin assisted 27 of them, which is more than anyone else. Keep in mind that Lin wasn't around at the beginning of the season and his season was cut short due to injury, so that number underrepresents Lin's assistance to Novak. When Lin entered the rotation, Novak hit ~77 treys, 27 of which were assisted by Lin. So when Novak emerged, 35% of his treys were due to Lin assisting him.
