A look at Lin's offensive numbers with and without Harden

No more harden / lin please. I dont think McHale cares about these stats

 

Thank you for that analysis. It shows that Lin overall does have to play better; and not having Harden on the court may not make a huge difference.

However, I do have to point out a couple things. The SAS game is important because Lin knew that the team would not have their main scoring option for the entire night -- this is a rare coincidence and the game needs to be analyzed more closely, and I think should be included in the analysis above, maybe especially so.

The times that Harden is out -- the personnel that tends to be on the floor at this time may impact Lin's play as well. Just a thought. I did learn from your post. Thanks.

 

I think small sample size is the key phrase and you have to also take into what other substitions were made. IMO too many variables for this to be of any true significance.

 

What's the +/- with/without Harden on the floor ?

 

Actually would you also do one for Harden with/without Lin on the floor. That would be interesting to see a compare and contrast.

 

I don't understand why McHale hasn't staggered their minutes like he did during the winning streak.

 

I'll give Lin pass this year, but come next year I'm expecting see 12/1-1/8 version Lin with TS around 55-57%. Otherwise I hope Les Alexander gives Morey green light to trade him.

 

i wonder if this is a chicken and egg thing...

was lin playing without harden more during the winning streak because he was shooting at a higher percentage and could carry the scoring load a little more without harden and thus mchale could afford to have harden on the bench for longer period of time? or with harden off the floor, his role became more defined and he could go back to focusing on scoring rather then getting harden going?

hard to say right now... maybe mchale couldn't afford to leave harden on the bench during this drought because no one, lin included, was shooting at a respectable percentage?

 

"Im not interested in another turnover stick to the basics, stick to the basics"

 

A major factor in his success in the San Antonio game is that Lin shot 80% from 3pt range (4/5) and that opened the rest of his game up. Unfortunately he has more games where he has shot 0% (18 games) from 3 point range than he has games of greater than 34% (10 games).

 

Well, it may actually be better for the team's longterm development if Lin and Harden get more time together. For this team to be successful next year and beyond, our main guys need to be able to play well together. That next step may be Lin taking more 2's off the dribble, cutting, or even posting. The coaching staff needs to be working with him to identify scoring opportunities in the offense playing off of Harden.

 

While the stats tell a story, there are some missing details here. For example, even when Harden is resting, the coaching staff let TD or Beverley run the game and assigned Lin as an SG at times.

Granted, Lin still needs to up his game for the offensive end (I'm content with his D).

 

Lin is confident shooting the ball when he is the primary ball handler, as a PG should be.

When lin is allowed to play the PG position, he is able to create for everyone, not just himself but for his teammates. With Harden as the primary ballhandler, everyone simply stands stationary at the 3 pt line watching and hoping beyond hope for a kickout.

The double standard is that both lin and harden are shooting poorly from 3. Lin is at 28% and harden at 32%.

The reality is, BOTH harden and lin need to improve their 3 pt shooting drastically if this team is going to make the playoffs this year.

 

It's not really a double standard. Harden is often shooting contested shots vs the other teams best perimeter defender, and scoring on double and triple teams, while Lin is regularly shooting his three point attempts without a man within 10 feet of him. Nobody is going to leave Harden unguarded on the 3 point line intentionally, while other teams invite Lin to shoot.

 

I feel that Lin is taking less risks and playing overly conservative. That's why his turnovers are down but so is everything else.

I'd rather see Lin get 5 turnovers and 10 assists with 18 points than 2 turnovers with only 4 assists an 10 points.

He's holding himself back too much, and that's a key reason we are struggling.

 

Good point. OTOH, Lin is not able to create his own shot within this offense, as is the norm for PG's. Harden is being asked to create against doubles, but Lin is being asked to play spot up shooter, a role he clearly dislikes and will never truly feel comfortable with.

It's a moot point now, as mac is committed to harden fully. This iso system with harden playing 40 mpg, is going to grind his gears. It is not going to be pretty.

 

As far as harden's low fg%, yes, it's affected by doubles. His 3 pt fg%, not so much. Doubles are very rare beyond the 3. He's shooting poorly from 3 because he's shooting poorly, not because he's facing double or triple teams beyond the arc.

 

absolutely agree. we know they can play without the others, but the key in really getting to the next level is being able to leverage both of their talents and play together. good post. just not sure if the coaching staff has the acumen to figure this out.

 

this may have something to do with what the rockets consider the role of the pg to be. based on lin's quote, sounds like the pg's primary role is to get the ball in others hands and get their scoring going. if that's the case, then it makes sense for lin to play sg when harden is off the court and for td or bev to get lin the ball to initiate the offense with lin coming off a an off ball screen.