to McHale's defense, TD was doing some damage with his steals coming in for Lin, thus he was kinda sticking to the 'hot' hand for a while. Just the 'magic' of TD's pesky defense fainted quite quickly, yet MH gambled to relying on it for too long and even rested Harden for the last couple min of 3rd. In hindsight, he should have subbed in Lin for Harden late in the 3rd. Also, as many observed, somehow Parsons and Delfino handled the ball for too often. They are far less reliable there than Lin. Also, Harden seemed lackluster out there, unfocused on both O and D.
I wouldn't say TD had the hot hand, he shot the ball 11 times and only played 19 minutes. He brought a small spark with the back to back steals and layups but then he felt he could just shoot the ball every possession. McFail fails to realize that TD is a ball hog. After those 2 steals, the second TD started chucking threes (0-4) he should have taken him out of the game immediately.
kevin mchale didn't realize andre iguodala was guarding james harden most of the night. so he left him in the game for 42 minutes.
Question is why did McHale bench Lin with 7 minutes left in the 3rd Q? I didn't see any reason for it - did anyone?
I have my gripes with McHale but firing him mid season accomplishes little. That means Sampson will be the temporary HC (& his penchant for superstar ball annoys me). We would be running the same offensive sets because you can't change things drastically midseason there is no time. McHale a young coach & our team is a young team just give both the players & the staff some time.
In my opinion the rockets played well last night. Mchale seems to be responding to whatever George Karl does like pulling Asik out when Denver had no centers and putting Lin in when he sees Ty Lawson coming in. That was some questionable moves. But at least he had the courage after the game to say it was his fault. Next time this issue happens, I don't think Rockets fans will leave him off the hook.
Yup, love TD but McHale has to keep him on a short leash and make sure he realizes what his limited role on the team is. Good coaches create well-defined roles for limited players. This team is a bit too free-for-all at times.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Heard from one source that last season D'Antoni would call a play for Melo and then Lin wouldn't run it. I asked Melo about this...</p>— Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ChrisBallard/status/292342198052204544">January 18, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Keep the offensive sets they aren't the problem - who is running them is the problem. That and taking out our best rebounder and shot blocker in crunch time. McHale's weird substitions are the problem. After the 3 game winning streak I thought he had seen the light but he reverted back to the same crap. All we need is a coach who does a decent job of substitution. McHale AND Sampson are a joke and need to be replaced NOW.
I heard jb bickerstaff say they need to space the floor with the 4. That's the problem. Weve gotten better now that pat isn't shooting threes.
D'Antoni LOVES Lin regardless of what your source says. Melo wanted EVERY play called for him. I think your source is probably full of crap.
I saw the same errors he is making today 10 months back. What makes it worse this year is that he actually has talent to work with, much more than last year at least. McHale - Great player, Awful coach.
Agreed. Seems to have an agenda he believes in despite evidence that it doesn't work. He needs to watch our winning games every day to hammer into his head what actually works and what doesn't. Stubborn, proud SOB.
Perhaps Lin's supposed high b-ball IQ is biting him in the ass here. He thinks on his feet and often decides to do his own thing(aka improvisation) disregarding a play call by coach based on what he sees. His decision making then pisses the whole coaching staff off and they find a reason to bench him to teach him a lesson. Then beverly or TD play point and are good obedient boys and do as they are told....for better or worse. Perhaps the coaching staff doesn't like it when a 'rookie' PG upsurps their playcalling? Just a thought that crossed my mind now. Whereas, D'antoni didn't give a damn and was just happy to win..... OTOH, I do like the idea of changing the PG pace with TD and beverly now and then though. it disrupts the opposing defense sets.
Whoa whoa... Lin is off limits here. The is the fire <strike>Mchale</strike> Mcfail thread. You leave Jeremy out of this. He puts team first, loves his country, and brushes his teeth 3 times a day.
I genuinely like Lin and root for him to succeed. But these LOF's are seriously getting annoying. It's like YOF's all over.
