Only because we had a one trick midget pony with a bad case of tunnel vision as our starting PG at the time.
Sixth man just means he won't play at the very start. He'll still get his minutes and when Harden sits late in the first he'll come in and do his thing. What's wrong with that?
His fans want him to start. Most Rockets fans don't care if he starts or not, just that the team wins. That said, I don't think we should give up on Lin yet as a starter with Harden. Lets see what he does this season first.
Like I said, it seems kinda sentimental. He's obviously the best point guard on the team by far and anyone who thinks otherwise has to have their eyes checked. Just cause he doesn't start doesn't mean he doesn't play alongside Harden all game, just not at the start when they're both 100% fresh. It's just a matter of optimization.
I think Lin needs to play more minutes this season. He should enter his physical prime about now. he is ready to play 35 Plus minutes a game.
Anyways, is this still being discussed? Lin is going to be the definite starter when the season starts and none of this will actually change that. What will change it is if Bev improves drastically and Lin regresses. Otherwise, Lin is pretty much the starter. Besides, I think McHale likes Bev coming off the bench. As he should, as Bev is a great high energy guy who could give you very solid defense for 7-9 minute stretches.
IMO jermey Lin is a super sub type of player. One of the, lets say 5 guys in the league that every team wants because he can play at franchise player level for short periods of time and take over games. Sure he can start and put up nice numbers but IMO his true calling on this team and any other contender is being the best player off the bench who an close out games when he's hot. Honestly for a player of his caliber is he can bring 14 and 5 off the bench in 25-28 min a night he is way worth the 8.5 mil he is wetting paid. I think these are very attainable numbers for Lin in his prime coming of the bench and would be considerd a major piece to this team or any team that would have him.
To me, although I agree in general about the staggering, it's never a waste to have two playmakers out there who can create. People are falling into the hype of them not playing together without remembering that they did play well together often. There are going to be nights when Harden isn't feeling it, then a steady pg who creates will help keep us rolling better. Just my opinion.
Starting Lin, for me, is not sentimental. I think, IMO, that it gives us the best chance to put the other team on their heels from get go. At least that's my mindset. Plus, putting Lin in another new role will make him have to figure it for another season and it'll be last year all over again.
I remember that as well. Though personally I was fine with Brooks starting when he was healthy and playing next to an equally healthy TMac. Alas, neither was meant to be. And the advantage of a Lowry-led bench was a HUGE advantage for the Rockets. We were always outscoring the opposing 2nd unit by a mile. Lin and Asik could possibly give us a similar boost.
Asik isn't Chandler but he ain't chopped liver either. Plus, he is pretty decent in transition for his size. Against opposing backup bigs, he should do fine. And I would think the top priority for this organization is getting their two superstars to mesh. Establish the Harden and Howard pick and roll as the bread and butter of the starting lineup, complemented by the tandem of Lin and Asik off the bench.
It doesn't matter who starts, it just matters who gets the minutes. People need to stop caring so much about labels and pay more attention to what actually happens on the floor. Beverley can start every single game, and if he plays fewer minutes than Lin, that tells you who the team thinks is more valuable on the court. The same is true the other way around - if the team has Lin start but he only plays 15 minutes per game, you think the over-the-top Lin fans would care that he's a "starter" at that point?
Simple reason that there isn't a pg who is better. I'm a fan of Beverly but Jeremy is still the best pg on this team, and the best player should start.
if lin/asik wasnt great this past season, what makes you think it'll be any better next season? asik = butterfingers and that's not likely to change dramatically over the summer. howard greatly elevates lin's game, so as long as lin is on the roster, pairing him with howard as much as possible is the only way to get the best out of him. again, linsanity doesnt happen without tyson chandler's great picks and his ability to get to the basket. howard provides this but asik does not.
Again, the priority is to get as much as possible out of the Harden/Howard pairing IMO. Maximizing Lin's ability would be great, but not the top goal. Our bench was and is a weakness, and Lin and Asik should be able to transform it into our strength. I don't expect a revival of Linsanity from a Lin/Asik second unit either, but rather a very solid bench that plays with high energy and top defense. Asik does have trouble finishing, but he is good in transition and runs well for his size. and Lin would be able to play the primary ball handler, which plays more to his strengths.
Beverly fits the 6 man role better since he is more of an energy guy while Lin is better at running plays. That said, it wouldn't be a bad thing to stagger Lin's minutes with Harden's more.
