Patrick Beverley is starting at PG in Manila against the Pacers (UPDATED w/ CF Article)

Lin's playmaking was a spark to the 2nd group that Beverley doesn't bring.

 

Lin is such a leader.

 

What chemistry are you talking about. Harden, Lin and Parson are returning starters. The 1st pre-season Harden, Lin, Parsons, Howard and DMo played very good together.

Are you talking about Chemistry in his rotations.

Did Hill start for the Pacers at PG or did his back up.

McHale is making a scene IMO. Now people will be saying a bunch of nonsense, Lin is on the trading block, the coach still dont believe in Lin, etc etc etc.

 

Fine for a preseason move as you try to figure out your lineup. But thousands of fans who paid good money to attend the game because they want to see Lin and they never otherwise get to see an NBA game live -- they're going to be pissed. If McHale tries this in Taipei, he better beef up his security detail.

 

How many minutes did Lin play tonight? Did he play any less than in the first game? Did he have fewer touches?

 

Lin got to RUN the offense in the whole second and fourth quarters I don't see what you folks are tripping about

 

It's about winning the championship any means necessary.

 

Beverley played quite well, and he balances out Harden's below average defense with his in your face style. That plus the interior D that Howard provides suddenly makes the starting lineup overall defense shoot up many many notches.

Lin may thrive with the 2nd unit and as the season progresses, IF he does remain as a non-starter, am sure the coaches will find the right rotation at guard where Bev, Lin and Harden stagger their minutes.

That said, it is quite obvious that Mchale does prefer Bev's play over Lin. No conspiracy theories, it just is what it is. People will have their preferences and what is relevant is whether this preference does affect the Rockets' championship hopes, or whether the PG rotation will not be as important in the overall scheme of things.

 

In World on Fire,the chinese mother known as tigermom said that the Chinese are hated in the Philippnes because they are very successful and practically run the country. They live in there own communities. I am sure many came out to see Lin.

 

I will say one thing about the rotation today. It was interesting that usually when Lin starts, no matter what is happening, Bev's in there by the 6 min mark. Today, there was a clear demarcation between starters and reserves with the starters pretty much playing full first and third quarters. If there's anything to read from McHale's sub patterns, I would say he's taking a long look at what he sees as the starters/reserves.

 

I don't know what ya been watching so far because harden has been pretty damn good on defense so far this season. I would say he has been equal second with Dwight on D with BEV being the leader.

 

If that's true, and he's been very positive regarding both PGs, why should people get all emotional over it? Its not exactly an extreme minority view that Beverley is the better fit with the starters. There's a legitimate argument to be made for either player starting.

As another poster very smartly remarked, the bench has much more room to benefit from strong PG play than our starting lineup, so it isn't by any means a slam against Lin if the coaches decided that his role is to lead the second unit.

 

Why would Philippines be mad they got to see Lin play. Lin a team first type player he will be starter at the start of the season. This is just testing different lineups during preseason to see potential matchup and see how it goes.

 

How did the starting five of Lin, Harden, Parson, Howard and Dmo play defense in the 1st pre-season game? They played great defensively.

 

I really don't see a problem with what Mchale did... I'm from the philippines and the basketball fans there are mature enough to understand why lin needs to come off the bench...

 

Bev as start --> Defense improves a bit

Lin as 6th man --> 2nd unit improves A LOT

----------------------------------------

Lin as starter --> Defense is a little worse

Bev as 6th man --> 2nd unit no spark

 

McHale's job is to do what he thinks is best for his basketball team, not to give a **** about "Asians".

 

Brilliant move. I haven't seen the game yet but I have always said, the starting five isn't about your five best players but your best single unit. You keep a perfect balance by starting Beverly. You save Lin's scoring for the second unit. So we have perimeter defense and scoring in Beverly and Harden, the. Perimeter scoring and defense with Lin and Brewer/Garcia. No brainer to me. Lin will get more touches coming off the bench. Doesn't mean Beverly is better. Just a more efficient use of their strengths.

1st team doesn't need Lin's scoring. Second team doesn't need Beverly's defense. That simple. Hell no need to waste Lin's minutes feeding the ball to Dwight and Harden. Beverly can do that. Then Lin can dominate the second unit while Harden and Howard rest. He also
Doesn't have to guard top tier players. Then back at it with the first team. Same with Howard and Asik on the floor together. I say make it a constant 1-2 punch all game long.

 

According to the final box score, Lin had 14 points, 6 FGA, 8 FTA, 6 AST, 3 TOV. Not sure yet how many minutes he played, but I think it must be around 22 minutes or so. Against the Pelicans, Lin had 11 poiints, 7 FGA, 2 FTA, 4 AST, 4 TOV in 19 minutes.

So he played more minutes, and his usage rate was about the same compared to the first game. So, why are people complaining?

 

bye Lin.