Of course, that's exactly how it works, because the Pacers would not get a possession each time after the Rockets score their points. That's how you get the 12 pt turnaround, right?
Scouting "only applies to the first couple games", not even worth debating you if this is what you believe. It's constant, and teams don't stop adjusting. Scouts don't send in one report on each player then hit Tahoe and snowboard the rest of the year. No pressure because nothing big was expected of him. Is that better? Pressure to win one game is miniscule when you compare it to the relentless pressure of being EXPECTED to put up great numbers every single time he's on the floor. There's a huge difference there.
I have no problem with Beverley playing extended back up minutes but what I don't understand is why Lin will sit for 12 minutes straight, no matter how much Parsons struggle, when he gets pulled, he'll never ever sit even close to 12 minutes straight. Asik is a center that doesn't touch the ball, it doesn't matter how long he sits. It's actually uncanny to sit one of your starters that long. You can play both Beverley and Lin at the same time, Lowry and Brooks were very effective together when they were both on the court.
This has all the making of a Lowry 2.0 except Lin is just too frigging nice to raise any stink about this. He did however say during his mini 20+ points streak that he felt one of the reasons he is playing well was because he is getting more consistent playing time. I thought that was a subtle dig at the coaching staff, wish he would speak up more.
Lin's issue is that he doesn't contribute much when he's not "on". And he's usually not "on" unless he has the ball. This makes the high-effort Beverley a better option on Lin's off-days, and it limits flexibility in lineups. Brooks and Lowry were good together because they could both play off the ball.
The 2nd lineup came back with a punch to draw the game . however the same lineup gave up we were back to trailing. +10 points. in the lin came in with asik went on a run , within 4 points . he got pulled out. and we regressed back. Frankly Lin as far , as i see it lin redeemed himself on the 3rd . but he was still punished for what he did in the 1st. This punishment style way of managing Lin, is very very harsh. Basically Mchale becomes blind to Lin's late clutch plays. Ultimately it hurts the Rockets like a self inflicted wound, cause certain players will get gassed. The Rockets need Lin. and Lin needs the Rockets. If we win like in the spurs game, I ok with it, but once we lose. sorry i am not going to shine a turd.
To add a little bit more color on the strategy yesterday, if you watch the first five minutes of the game, you will see that it was always Lin bringing the ball up from the back court. After the timeout, you start to see Harden bring the ball up from the backcourt. I think the coaches started the game wanting Lin to play a certain way and then changed strategies after that rough stretch by Lin. He didn't play well and so the ball went back to Harden and largely remain sticky for the rest of the game. You need more than one playmaker to make this offense work - as much as we want the world to take Parsons/Delfino driving seriously, Lin's aggression is a big part of this offense.
You're right. But I don't think this will end badly, because Lin's got tons more character than Lowry did. Lowry's ego butthurt spilled over and affected his game. He might've earned that starting spot back if he didn't implode.
You're right - he didn't play well to start the game, but the game plan was to have him initiate yesterday.
It's huge. When he's positive and pumped, it's contagious. Other players feed off it. Unfortunately, it's also contagious when he's aloof and disengaged.