[ClutchFans] Finally! First Scrimmage Footage of Dwight Howard with the Rockets

Patrick Beverley is nowhere near the player Lin is. However, multiple factors work in his favor in subjective evaluations:

1. expectations were rock bottom for pb. As in zero expectations

2. he has (by nba standards anyway) a very modest salary

3. lin has a sh--load of haters. From their perspective, ANYONE who can take minutes away from lin is a godsend.

4. he plays with incredible desire and energy: the kid is fearless (why wouldn't he be? he's got nothing to lose).

PB reminds me a bit of earl watson: a scrappy, hardworking defensive specialist who keeps getting signed and keeps getting minutes because of his heart and hustle. And like watson, pb doesn't bring an exceptional skillset with him.

 

Fail.

 

Funny how the sample size argument differs for Lin and Beverley. Brook is still good imo if given the opportunity. So sad how devestating that injury was to his career. MANUU!!!!!!!!

Morey always says you need 3 PG's and Canaan will be at the Vipers most likely.

 

Why are the Lin and Bev fans at it again?

We need every capable player we've got. If Harden and Howard are talking about playing together and sacrificing, why can't other players think the same too?

 

Thanks Clutch for posting these. I'm not going to comment on their play as it is only a scrimmage and small sample size of what they will do together. It was just fun to watch them play, and it was fun just to see some basketball again. Takes my mind off the Texans for a while.

LOL at the "Terrence Jones" comment you made (at least I think it was you).

 

Don't think he is garbage but it's one of his last chances to prove he can get a better contract.
Someone mentioned earlier Casspi does not the mentality of a tough guy or winner.
He should get that fixed otherwise I see his talent and versatility getting wasted again.

 

Like i said , to cover up Harden's defensive holes. It was a quick fix.

 

It's because two out of the three top performers in this particular scrimmage were Brooks and Lin. Hence discussion...

 

Do you want the ball out of Harden's hands so that Lin can have the ball or because you want the offense to flow? At least try to hide your agenda

 

Being a tough guy and being strong-willed are two different things. Personality shouldn't have anything to do with level of determination. Winning starts with a decision, something that anyone can do. Anyhow...you're point is well taken; Casspi doesn't look very "determined".

 

Can't wait for the game on Saturday, hopefully Asik and Garcia can suit up by then and we can see the Rockets burn some Pelicans....

 

It's a scrimmage, and the video doesn't even show the whole scrimmage for that matter.

How can anyone determine a "top performer" from a 9 minute video clip? In fact, how could anyone generate any reasonable discussion from a 9 minute practice video?

 

Um, this thread came out earlier today and it's already 15 pages long. There's your discussion.

 

Can people stop dragging this into a Lin vs other PGs debate?
I was a bit disappointed to see Harden and Parsons coasting through the practice. Every player should play hard and compete for spot even if it's not being threatened.

Lin has everything to prove that he's a starter in this team, and his level of play this year will definitely be a testament to that. That doesn't mean he can't play on the same lineup as Beverley/Brooks since Lin can switch between the 1 and 2.

 

Lin driving left like a boss. Good game.

TJones jumping out of the gym.

Dwight not really involved, gotta be frustrating.

Casspi is ass. Just ass. So ass.

 

If he can get his shot to go.... make the extra pass, get into the huddle and rebound, make plays, go block some shots, take some charges

Maybe it's too early to say but I can tell who is aggressive making the team and who is not. Reggie Williams also wasn't that much in the picture.
Brewer at least made a beautiful pass for the Howard slam and was busy cutting.
Brooks dished it out to the shooters and ran the fast break.

 

Funny story, it looked like Dwight, Parsons and Brooks weren't really featured in each respective teams offense. I only saw Parsons shoot once in that 9 minute clip and Brooks only shoot it once as well (coach didn't like that the other team wasn't in position so he restarted the play). I'm sure Dwight will get his 10-15 touches he normally gets and plus it looked later in the scrim.

T.Jones does looks pretty good in the scrim, hopefully him and D.Mo can split time at the 4 and we can get good production there. I really don't see how Asik and Dwight can compliment each other unless Dwight can start playing like a PF and develop some good post moves.

 

True. It's not so cut and dry. But they were missing a pacemaker and Harden is more adept at generating his offense thereby creating a playmaking opportunity while Lin makes plays on the run through passing and court recognition. That's all I'm saying.

 

So a 9 minute chopped up video of a scrimmage will conclude who the top performer is?

 

Number one, only Harden and possibly a defensive big can cover Hardens defensive holes. Bev is getting love for covering his own position with tenacity and making plays (typically hustle plays). Bev also scored 30 40 points regularly in high school so his offense is decent as well. And many of those points were also from hustle plays.
He definitely deserves a chance to prove himself in my eyes, but just not at the cost of Lin's minutes imo as Lin is the better player with higher upside. Just my opinion of course. Bevs like a souped up Douglas with higher potential and basketball instincts. Lin is a talented pg with great vision and speed with an unpolished skillset, and not close to a finished product.