I don't agree that Lillard is more of a pure scorer. What does that mean anyway? It's one of those phrases that is defined in different ways by different people. Both Lin and Lillard have a 42% shooting percentage. Lin has a higher shooting percentage from 0-9 feet. Lillard is higher from 10-23+. Twice Lin hit 38 pts. Lillard has yet to hit 30. Lillard is averaging 18.6 pts in 22 games. Lin averaged 18.6 in 26 games with the Knicks. If anything, these early number suggest that Lin is a better slasher, Lillard is a better overall shooter. In terms of which would be a better fit for the Rockets, I think that's hard to say. Their assist/turnover numbers are nearly identical. Though Lin has a higher rebounding avg and steals average. It's more than just fitting in with Harden, it's playing making for Omer, Power Forwards, and Chandler. Both players have less than a full season experience as a starter, so it's hard to extrapolate. But I would take Lillard due to 60% less salary (10M over 3 years vs 25M over 3) and being 2 years younger.
As much as I like Lin, his character, work ethics, etc, it is ridiculous to say at this point hes a top5 pg. As much as I like his potential, I doubt he will ever be a top5 pg, he needs the ball too much to be effective. If he dramtically improve his pnr defense maybe he could be a JKidd someday. I worry about his body too, dude falls like a sag of potato.
If he keeps falling the way he does attacking the rim, he won't have a long career. He needs to learn how to get to the rim without taking those crazy tumbles. We know he has heart and is fearless, but he has to think long term. We wanna watch him play for a long time (if he continues to get better). I have never seen anyone take so many tumbles and falls like he does after attacking the rim relentlessly. Love him more for it, but at same time I'd rather have him learn to attack the rim safer. See James Harden. He needs to teach Lin how to draw fouls like he does lol.
I am not sure if you know but his PNR defense ranks 47th in the NBA ranks holding opponents to 0.71PPP & he needs the ball in his hands to be effective means he needs to be the PG. Rubio needs the ball in his hands, Rondo needs the ball in his hands etc. He needs to run the PNR more to be at his best is really the crux of everything, approximately 40+% of the time.
??? If Rose, Westbrook, Paul, Rondo, etc. didn't have the ball in their hands and just spotted up all the time like Derek Fisher or Kyle Korver, you think that they would be considered top 5 pgs?
What is this "Lin needs the ball too much to be a great PG" notion that people seem to have? All the great PGs in this league are great because they have the ball in their hands.
I don't get it either some people are starting to sound dumb. It is isn't that needs the ball in his hands, more so that he needs to be primary PNR ball handler. Lin & Melo worked because Melo doesn't want to handle the ball in a playmaking capacity. People always say Lin & Melo can't play together but Lin averaged 18 & 8 per 36 with Melo. It isn't about the ball it is about what he is doing with it ie running the PNR more & spot up shooting less.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_guard It doesn't say a point guard's primary duties on offense are to run around, set screens, and not touch the ball.
No point to argue with anyone with a join date before 2012. I suppose someone like Matt Maloney is their ideal point guard. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hHH-zebPZ6g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Quote honestly, the above video doesn't do him any justice. He actually touched the ball in each highlight.
I actually wasn't mocking LOFs so you failed, but good try. And I'm not saying I'd want him to average 15-20 points, just saying that if he does score that much occasionally than that's great.
LOL Did you just name Toney Douglas when the question was 'Name a top 5 PG without the ball in his hands?' '
