Coaching is judged by the offensive and defensive culture created, the sets optimized to the players at hand, and their record. D'Antoni, as an example, can draw up the most genius plays and what not, but if he can't create a culture of tough defense and rebounding, he's not going to take his team anywhere. Mchale judging by the above criteria is doing a good job. What I lament, however, is that we could be even better, regardless of how young we are. Really. I think we have a bunch of players who can be phenomenal in the years to come, and they're all a really great group of kids, a coach's dream come true: Hard working, very coachable, talented, young, mature. No coach is perfect, but there are some clear things that should've been done better, imo, as many have already stated. Mac's poor ability to judge players (I base this on his love of TD, his reluctance to try out D-Mo, his inability to see Lin for what he is) and his inability to better read the flow of the game is evident. I just wish as a fan that he'd get better to give us a chance to contend for real, not just in our homeristic minds.
This from someone who is not a fan of Lin. However his reasoning of why does not hold up which I will address below. So what are the possible reasons for minimizing his playing time? 1) Defense. This was the reason the coaches used to give but haven't heard it lately. Stats show the team plays better D with Lin in the game. He is also among the league leaders in steals and defensive rebounds for a PG. So this doesn't hold up. 2) Inexperience. Doesn't hold up because McHale is playing someone with much less experience (Beverley) then Lin as his backup. Also Beverley is playing nearly as many minutes as Lin lately. 3) Conditioning. Even McHale says Lin came into training camp in excellent shape. Doesn't hold up. 4) Poor play. Doesn't hold up because his time is minimized even when playing well. 5) Harden plays better without Lin. When Lin is the primary ballhandler the team and Harden play better. Doesn't hold up. 6) McHale doesn't really want Lin on the team and wants Dagic. Now we may have a winner here. Even worse than minimizing his playing time is the way he's being used when he's on the court - standing in the corner and being used as a spot up shooter. How is a team supposed to reach its potential when you're not utilizing ALL your players to their strengths? It's a testament to the talent and hard work of our young team that we have a winning record at this point! Personally I don't feel we're overacheiving at all. Despite what ESPN and others were predicting I expected this and more!
Lin is even playing LESS in Feb than his average for the season and IS 24th out of 30 in PT for point guards. His stats for February: Points - 15.1, Assists - 6.7, Steals - 1.1, TO - 2.1, FG% -45.5, 3pt% - 47.6 With umbers like this WHY is his PT being MINIMIZED??
its not necessarily mchale, its the system. lin isnt a strong 3 pt shooter and thus will never flourish under this system. the real question is if we somehow land howard, do they change the system to better use him? if yes, then lin may play to his potential...
If you don't think McHale hates Lin, why would you think that he treats Lin as if they're not sure they want him on this team? I've never seen a coach that likes a player so much he prefers said player is gone. What kind of absurd logic is that?
Well he's shooting 47% from 3 point land in February and playing less than ever. Point is McHale doesn't like him and the TEAM not just Lin will never reach their potential unless they change coaches.
Every Rocket front office personnel/coaches in interviews have said that Lin can improve his shooting form and overall percentages. You see, unlike fans, professionals who make their living on basketball can do magical things like "make young players better by working on their games." I know it's difficult to comprehend if you don't watch basketball. But it is true that sometimes, a player can be better one season than his previous season. Especially a young player.
I think raskol means he doesn't think McHale hates Lin personally - just as a basketball player. He's like LOH'ers - they just don't like him and no matter what the facts are they won't change their opinion. Same is true of Lin fans and LOF'ers.
there is a pattern in this thread of you assuming other posters don't watch basketball and stating it in an arrogant/hostile way. you need to just accept your station in life and deal with it. trying to propel your standing on a bball fansite is not going change the fact that you're still a nobody off the internet
Come on - how old is Duncan? Lin is 24th out of 30 PT for point guards. For someone who's 23 and is playing well that's not a lot of minutes. Even worse than the PT is not using him as a PG enough when he's in the game.
Tony Parker plays only 32:53 Chris Paul- 32:47 Lin is not as good as them. Are you really quibbling over 2 minutes?
