You need your eyes checked. Had Lin played decent any of the first two games the series would be now 3-2 in our favor. The team did well in the second game at OKC.
Lin helped keep the team within 2 at the half in game 2...the first half stats also show he was on point for a decent game. Let me give this a try. Had Harden not choked in game 3 the series would be 3-2 in our favor. This 'what if' game is easy.
If Lin is healthy I would use him as Harden's primary backup and not mess with the PG rotation. Beverly and AB have been killing it. But having Lin to come in and be a creator on offense when Harden sits would be ideal, rather than having him play a true PG position.
Lin won't mess up the chemistry. He's already developed a chemistry with the team over the course of the season. Garcia, and Brooks were banged up last night. We need every available player (especially guards) that we can get. That's especially true when they are as good as Lin.
I've always considered chemistry issues to be an attitude thing. Brooks played 38 minutes in the regular season for the Rockets (all garbage time) and contributed pretty quickly as the playoff series progressed.
Everyone who is not a LOH would acknowledge that the whole team (not just Lin) played poorly the first game. They would also acknowledge that Lin played decently in the first half of game two until he got injured. Only LOH would keep pointing fingers at Lin's performance when the guy is obviously very injured but he wants to help his team.
Man, you need your version checked. Harden had an outstanding game yesterday, but he has been terrible in the previous 4 games. The Rockets could easily be 4-1, or 3-2 had him played just decent in game 2, or 3.
It's also because Brooks has been in this situation before. He knows how to handle playoff pressure and he's showing he doesn't have any fear attacking. Lin has officially had about 2 (1.5 uninjured) games of playoff experience and hasn't been able to practice with the team. I'd be extremely hesitant to put him back in the line up. The only person I can see him replacing in the rotation is Delfino and that's because Delfino is apparently playing hurt. I really wanted Lin to get accustomed to playoff pressure too. It's really unfortunate that he got hurt.
This sounds like a good idea to integrate him back. Have him play with Bev who tends to stagnate the offense.
You guys are craze if you think the Rockets are better with Bev & Brooks. The OKC team has played terribly except the first game, which is understandably since Westbrook hasn't missed a game for them from day one. They just didn't know what to do now without him. Even with that, the Rockets lost game 3, only won game 4 by a bucket. Rockets didn't get here with Bev & Brooks, they need Lin to become a better team.
If Delfino is on the mend too, we will need Lin to play if he can...and yes I am definitely on board with Lin coming of the bench in this series...I would hate to mess up any of this chemistry we have started with this current lineup and rotation. In fact, I would love to see the Harden, Lin and Beverley lineup as well again...Our three guard sets have really confused the Thunder...They couldnt stay in front of Aaron, and I suspect the same would happen with the presence of Lin...Go Rockets...
