[Y Sports Radio] Calvin Murphy: Jeremy Lin Needs The Ball In His Hands

“We moved the ball,” said Chandler Parsons, who finished with 10 points and three blocks. “We didn’t play selfish. Our defense was great, too. Our help-side was awesome and that allowed us to get out on the break and do what we do best. I think going forward, we have to continue to play with that kind of effort and focus all on the defensive end.”

Quote from Parsons via Jason Friedman's post-game.

If you would to guess, out of the Rockets team, who has been playing selfish and who hasn't moved the ball?

So effectively Parsons joined in and echoed with 2Pat without naming the obvious.

Does it also sound like the players-only dinner involved a focus on defense? Effort and focus on defense ... would it have something to do with Harden also?

 

You are cherry picking quotes. The article contains quite a few insights, particularly about defense and getting out in transition.

Clutch is right to note Lin's aggressiveness. Lin was fantastic, absolutely great, in transition and attacking the D before it was set.

 

+1

I know, seriously, its getting so old. I really can't see him saying, "ok guys now underline these specific words that I'm saying to you and emphasis them please, the other stuff I'm saying is just ear fillers.

 

I did watch the Nuggest game. I can't remember every single play in the 1st quarter. I do know that they were stagnant as hell, and Lin was not initiating the offense as he did today. I remember Harden held onto the ball for very long in the shot clock.

What I do remember clearly was that the Rockets immediately cut the lead to 2 in the second quarter when we fast break. We went on a 10-0 run fast breaking, which is what Lin is really good at. a 3 point play by Harden and Lin, making it 6 points, and 4 extra points from elsewhere.Transition points and making accurate passes is Lin's strong points, I believe, and I'm thinking other people believe that too.

Once we were fast breaking, i was surprised they slowed down in the 3rd quarter and went away from it. And then inexplicably, benched Lin throughout the 4th quarter. From that point on, I KNEW the Rockets were going to lose. The Nugget is no Bobcats and we barely beat the Bobcats with those terrible half court offensive sets w/ Lin out of the 4th quarter.

Today's offense was much better. I saw lots of fast break points and our half court sets had lots of ball movements w/ slashers and cutters. Remember those 2 Parson layups assisted by Lin? That was demoralizing to the Hornets. Remember that Harden pass to 2Pat for the wide open swisher?

I don't really see how this game became good all of a sudden because Lin was "aggressive." Aggressive is such a subjective word. As Calvin Murphy said, those offensive sets were plays called by someone. I'm thinking it's Mchale.

Anyways, this was a great win for us. Maybe I don't have to change my signature. I swear, after this 8 game loss, I was considering changing my signature. Cheers.

 

I thought the key was the help D tonight. PPatt and Parsons were great tonight defensively. A lot of what they did allowed the team to get on fast breaks in the first place.

 

I have to agree with you on this our 4 position was always our weakest defensive position. . There seems to be a increasing focus on offense. But really the key is defense. The rockets aren't a half court team. The key to there success is transition & attacking the basket before the defense is set. For that to happen we have to get stops. We weren't getting stops before. We were now. The rockets issue isn't really offense. It is consistent effort on the defensive end namely at that 4 spot.

 

Team D and less Harden ISO is the key. Lin has to be the man to start the offense, not Harden. I always love CM because he has the bball IQ.

During the losing streak, too much Harden ball hogging cause the stagnant offense and as a result low team energy on D. No stop, no break, and you see how miserable Rox was. To make things worse, MaHale's unpredictable man rotation make everybody lost out there.

Great call out from a local HOF!

 

Other than catching Harden's turnoveritis in the 2nd half, it was pretty much the way they want Lin playing going forward.

 

do you guys think it is a coincedence that after announcing the all star reserves the whole team starts to play well again? is it possible that morey told mchale to ensure that harden gets into the all star games?

not trying to draw any conclusions, just throwing the idea out there

 

I agree with you Jeff. Just that D and getting out in transition are well known issues often discussed.

The need to move the ball when put together with the word 'selfish' is something that caught my eye, especially after 2Pat spoke up. That's why I highlighted them.

I don't think anybody on the team has said the word 'selfish' until now. And we know Parson is mature, team-first and pretty intelligent as well. Just like 2Pat. And both don't seem the type to rush to speak the first thing on their mind (ie they think through what they say).

When Chandler didn't play the whole 4th quarter, he said it's good to go with a different look sometimes (I'm paraphrasing). When 2Pat lost his starting spot, he said he wants to earn it back but was happy Morris was doing great and the team was winning.

I really don't think it's a coincidence that these words have been spoken. I think it really reflects the locker-room thoughts.

 

Yes and no.

I think in reality that Offensive and Defensive effort are part of a self reinforcing feedback loop.

It's like the Discussions over Dwight's inconsistent defense this season. Some of it is clearly injury related, part of it seems to be related to his own perceived lack of touches.

In other words, when you defend well players feel better about their effort and it tends to lead to better offense. And when you include players in the offense, they feel better about being involved and it tends to lead to better defense.

I think one of the hardest aspects of Coaching is finding that balance of having everyone feel like they're part of the team versus maximizing their best players.

In a nutshell you want Kobe shooting the ball a lot, but you don't want 35 shot ISO-Kobe.

 

I do agree that a good offense leads to more energy on the defensive end & vice versa. They are both interrelated & not two separate entities. I am not disputing that. But in relation to this specific team I do think getting stops running in transition & moving the ball are the keys to our success.

 

Wow. We should apply this logic to college textbooks. The author should underline parts we need to know.

Dude, seriously, the bold is the area that the person posting thinks is important. It is his interpretation of what is interesting. Parsons, and PPat are saying there are other good players on the team, and let's utilize the max potential of the team. And they get attacked for this.

 

Really, can you honestly say to yourself that your opinion has more value than say Nuggets coach, George Karl? Here is what he said: I still think he's the motor of their team, and when he plays well, they have a good chance of beating people.

Now tell me, do you know more about bball or him?

 

CM is just pointing out the facts which we fans already know.

- Let Lin play PG and don't let him camp in the corner.
- Tell Harden to play team-ball. No more iso.

There are many other things which are clear:

- tell Lin to be aggressive
- more PnR
- play the rookies (TJ and DMo plz)
- tell the players to play defense, even Harden
- let the starters rest if possible
- no more "live & die by the 3s"
- more "midrange shots"!

 

Generally I would have to say that Calvin is right, but the problem with his arguement is that most pg in this league are either studs that can put the team on there back score at will or they are floor generals that command the attention of there team and coaching staff trust them to lead and to make the right decision on the floor. I don't think Lin is either of the players I just described. At this point in his career he is somewhere in the middle. I think this is affecting how the coaching staff views his role on the team. This is why I think you hear in the interviews the player are trying to slide there comments in there because I do think everyone on this wants to win. So I think Lin does have the confidence from his teammates to play the floor general role but I think the coaching staff looks at Big Game James's ability to score, pass, and be a decoy for others(decision making) and they prefer that to Lin depending on the match up.

We can debate are they playing him wrong all day but what the coaching staff knows is this Harden is our for sure stud and Lin's ability to run a NBA team is suspect some times for what ever reason. So they bet on Harden night in and night out to lead the team.

 

Dude, you're showing your biases. Come on, this is Calvin Murphy -- . He is not "everybody" as far as the Rockets are concerned.

 

Well you are alleging that the coaches don't trust their PG to play PG and actually endorses Hardenball? So you are saying that the coaches suck?

 

Yes, you're right on this. And Calvin Murphy is saying what you're saying, although, because he is a public figure and all, just saying it more politely.

 

Not bias just look at the resumes. You have one player who is big reason that his team got to the finals last year as a six man. The other who a undrafted freeagent who started just 25 games with a lot of success and became free agent after getting hurt. Who would you trust to be your leader?