I know it's been said a thousand times, but people bashing Lin for this year's playoffs are really short sighted or just plain ole haters. Yes, he sucked in game 1, BUT so did the WHOLE team! Game 2, he played a good decent 1st half, got injured the second half...severely. Judging anything after that is ridiculous when even the coach said he probably shouldn't even be out there. Those people that keep bashing Lin continue to ignore the stats and how he improved throughout the year, and to consider that he was coming off of surgery! I'm gonna make a BOLD prediction that Lin averages 17-19 points next season ( 2-4 points above his last half of season average) and 8-10 assists because either he will have DHoward, a better PF or Asik will be much better at catching and finishing. And yes, we will have Lin next year, unless we somehow get Chris Paul. And no, I don't think Lin is in the top 10 of the best point guards in this league, but he will improve and fits this team well.
how did the media make him average HOF numbers for a 7 game stretch, drop 38 on the lakers, saved the knicks playoff hopes, all the while coming off of the end of the bench days before getting cut, is beyond me. there's gotta be another obscure guy sitting at the end of the bench from some unknown school waiting for the media to create another linsanity. c'mon mr. media, get to it!
I agree, that is a very bold statement. I would be very interested in what you project on his turnovers/game? And how well do you think he will do if we DON'T have D Howard or a better PF?
hahahaha.. this is just so ignorant you gotta laugh at it. if patrick beverley, as black as you can get, can be a story while averaging 12 and 1.5 in his first three professional starts... then a guy at the end of the bench, a harvard grad playing in MSG for the knicks, saved their playoff hopes while two of their best players were injured, while averaging in the 20's and 10's, including dropping 38 on the lakers on his way to a 7 game winning streak, can also be a story no matter what color he is. can you imagine if that was patrick beverley coming back from siberia?? he'd also get a 25mil contract and stephen A would be fighting to be his best friend.
I think he definitely can put up those numbers, but I don't think he will especially if we get Dwight. Maybe on the assists side yes, but in terms of scoring he'll still only be at 14-15 because Lin will be the 3rd or 4th scoring option. But still, if he can average 15 and 7 and the team wins more than 50 and gets past the first round, I'd be satisfied
I predict his turnovers per game will go down to about 2.2 or 2.3. I think Asik will get better if we don't get DHoward and that will account for at least 1 more assist for JLin per game. I think if we don't upgrade at the PF spot, which ever of our current PFs that improves the most to earn the starting job will also help him average at least 1 more assist per game than this year. This he would still average about 8.1 assists next year even with the team as composed. The teams as it stands, without any changes, would be better next year than they were this year. But I am pretty sure changes will be made.
I think if we get DHoward, just like in LA, he will not be the focal point of this offense assuming McHale is back at coach. We will still play up tempo ball, with a few half court plays that feature DHoward in the pick and roll; which will only increase Lin and Harden's assists because Howard can finish better...and he will be a better free throw shooter if on the Rockets. But Lin will score much more next year as he will spend much more time being aggressive when he does have the ball in his hand. 2 more points than he averaged the last half of this season is not a big jump considering his potential.
Next year, most of the LOHs will also be eating crow, or just really looking silly to be bashing a Rocket's player that is contributing extremely well to a playoff or contender hopeful team. Barring Chris Paul being on this team, JLin is our starting point guard. There is no controversy about Beverley starting over Lin except in LOHs minds. I'm not a LOF, but Beverley, as much as I like him, is not better than Lin. But he is an EXCELLENT backup and I am very happy to have Beverley on our team!
Jeremy Lin will most definitely improve next season, you can put money on it. And here's why -Jeremy will work on all facets of his game but mostly his shooting (I believe his increased shooting % had more to do to the fact that he is healing from his injuries [He claimed he had knee, shoulder, and back problems] then him improving. So when the season starts, you'll see a much more improved shooting game from Jeremy Lin, who will completely recover from his injuries and is now making it a number one priority to improve his shooting game now that Harden is on the team. -His ball handling; although Bev is more of an annoyance on the ball handler then he is a *good team defender* this will work out great for Jeremy if they both practice with each other since his handles are rather shaky for a point guard. -An off season with Harden, Proper spacing, how to response to Harden moves (a LOT of time Jeremy stays in one spot when Harden has the ball) it's much more easier to work with a teammate and come up with a move together in the offseason then it is during the season, (i.e Harden does a low left to right hand dribble, Lin cuts from right to left in response, Harden does a right hand behind the back pass to him) I expect to see some passing like the old showtime Lakers -Lets assume it to be true that McHale isn't a terrible coach ( I believe he's a great coach but a lot ofCF sure disagrees) who only came up with the read and react offense at the last minute due to the addition of Harden and we'll finally have a couple of set plays. With Harden and Lin playmaking abilities, set plays will be great for us. 5 different set plays= 5 baskets=10-15 easy points -With our roster space, you can count on it that we'll have an improvement on the roster. Whether it is the acquisition of Dwight Howard (which will GREATLY elevate Lin's game due to the effectiveness of the PnR and how they both excel in doing them) or acquiring a stronger, veteran, (dare I say all-star material?) PF, this will effect his game greatly. -IF Asik isn't dealt away, I'm 100% this guy WILL IMPROVE GREATLY. I don't believe that this guy would've been the same if he was the starting center for the Bulls, ( you gotta credit the coaching staff) He stopped doing those damn ballerina layup and THREW DOWN THE HAMMER like a man. He shred over 10 pounds this season so that he can run with the young guns of the Rockets, and develop a couple decent post moves that you don't see him doing with the Bulls. Positive this guy will improve his ball catching abilities and other qualities of his game. so expect to see -an improved PG -ball catching abilities from Asik -post games from Harden ( his defense will also improve since he won't have to carry the offensive burdens all by himself, then again its a mental thing and it's all dependent on what he decides to do) -Parson on his defense, I'm not sure if hes content with his shooting and if he is working on improving them (does anyone know?) -DWIGHT ****ING HOWARD or QUALITY PF, or BOTH OF THEM. and the best part of next season, CF will be more enjoyable to be on if Lin improve and the civil war subsides.
Or he really might not have realized what he put down was racist. Unfortunately, that's the problem behind a lot of this Lin bias. He is Asian and not 7'4" so some people's minds tell them he doesn't look fierce, he shoots horrible, he's slow and I think you said "he looks like he's gonna crap his pants". Not saying that you're racist on purpose but maybe your perception that Asians aren't supposed to be able to ball on the NBA level is related to that comment. That's why I asked you to name other players who you thought played with that look on their face but I'm still waiting for the answer. It's like that loser DJ on 610 (Lance, I think) and how they tease the traffic chick (Laura Reynolds I think) about her "Asian" bf all the time. They make all kinds of stereotypical comments about the guy (who they've never met) and they think it's really funny. But I bet they wouldn't be teasing her about her "Black" bf if she was dating a black guy and make their lil snide comments then. It's a double standard and it's b/c if they said it about a black guy they would have the majority of the athletes rain hell down upon them, have quennell x protesting their station and they would lose their jobs.
well i actually meant that literally... it's not a social commentary about what it is to be "black" but he literally is very, very dark. the team calls him black pat for a reason.
Yeah, for real. He and Westbrook got hurt that game. Westbrook a torn meniscus and Jeremy a bruised chest. People actually expected Lin to finish the game with a bruised chest.
