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Something to remember about Kevin McHale for folks who don't understand the "benching" thing...

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Carl Herrera, Oct 11, 2013.

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  1. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    A number of folks have questioned Rockets coach Kevin McHale for trying Jeremy Lin off the bench in the last game and potentially doing do in the regular season. Some take it as a sign of disrespect for Lin or the lack of appreciation for his talents. When asked about the decision the media, McHale replied that he didn't know it was a big deal.

    I understand that some do not remember the NBA during the 1980s, but here's something that should be useful in understanding where Coach McHale is coming from with respect to this decision:

    http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mchalke01.html

    During Kevin McHale's first 5 NBA seasons as a player in the NBA, between 1980-81 and 1984-85,     he played 407 regular season games and started a total of only 88.

    He had usage % of between 19.3% and 22.3% during this time. The Celtics mostly started a frontline of Bird, Parish and Cedric Maxwell. Kevin McHale became the regular starter when the Celtics traded Maxwell-- for Bill Walton, who became the Sixth Man of the Year winner as a Celtic in 1986.

    Kevin McHale was a third overall pick and an eventual Hall of Famer. He was an Allstar in 1984 and a Sixth Man of the Year in 1984 and 1985. Still, he came off the bench for nearly 80% of the games he played during the first 5 years of his career, until he reached age 28.

    I think this fact about the young player Kevin McHale is helpful in understanding why now head coach Kevin McHale doesn't think having a player to come off the bench is some sort of insult or something that deserves much attention. Not starting and even not getting as many minutes or touches as you want or are capable of using is just something that even highly talented players sometimes have to do, particularly on good teams that hope to contend for titles.

    And here's a Kevin McHale highlight video, for those who don't remember how good this former "career backup" was:

    <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wdtgUOiWHJg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
     
    #1 Carl Herrera, Oct 11, 2013
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2013
    4 people like this.
  2. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    I imagine that the major points of disagreement will be:

    1. McHale "is a jerk"
    2. The NBA has changed
    3. What McHale did as a player should have nothing to do with his coaching
    4. I am a person who enjoys controversy
     
    #2 napalm06, Oct 11, 2013
    1 person likes this.
  3. PatBeverleyFan

    PatBeverleyFan Member

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    Great post but Lin fans still won't understand or like the fact that he got benched lol
    No matter how you try to explain it to them. I think we're better off ignoring them.
     
    #3 PatBeverleyFan, Oct 11, 2013
  4. Camarograna2

    Camarograna2 Contributing Member

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    Good read
     
    #4 Camarograna2, Oct 11, 2013
  5. Captain Hook

    Captain Hook Member

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    People have to understand that coming off the bench can really help a player like Jeremy Lin's career. He can be that spark and playing with players that can succeed off of his play making will help.

    Look at Jason Terry, Manu Ginobili.

    A lot of people look at benching as a demotion, but all in all, the coach is looking for different ways to put his players in the best situations....
     
    #5 Captain Hook, Oct 11, 2013
  6. sleepyazn

    sleepyazn Member

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    Does this really require another thread? It's the freaking preseason, everybody needs to just shut up about the damn topic already.

    We all know Lin is going to start in the regular season so LOF,LOH, and whatever other horrible abbreviations need to chill out.
     
    #6 sleepyazn, Oct 11, 2013
    2 people like this.
  7. Whoopy

    Whoopy Member

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    Players made nothing back then and coaches had real power. Times have changed.
     
    #7 Whoopy, Oct 11, 2013
  8. flamingdts

    flamingdts Member

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    Good post.

    Of all people, why would the greatest 6th man of all time, see the 6th man as a "demotion" and a "bench warmer" role.

    Makes no sense.
     
    #8 flamingdts, Oct 11, 2013
  9. Panda23

    Panda23 Member

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    Lin will always have a place in the NBA as a 6th man type player. The jury is still out as an NBA starter.
     
    #9 Panda23, Oct 11, 2013
  10. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    Not so sure. Trying something in the preseason is a sign that you are likely at least considering doing it during the regular season.
     
    #10 Carl Herrera, Oct 11, 2013
  11. Rox23

    Rox23 Member

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    Has McHale ever considered tutoring DMo? Watching these videos I have this vision of what DMo's post game could look like with a little work...
     
    #11 Rox23, Oct 11, 2013
  12. Panda23

    Panda23 Member

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    Idk we got this Hakeem guy, heard he goes orite
     
    #12 Panda23, Oct 11, 2013
  13. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Does not matter if McHale can:

    outcoach 70% of NBA coaches right away, then all power to him.

    If he can't, then he is just not that good.
     
    #13 daywalker02, Oct 11, 2013
  14. bobloblaw

    bobloblaw Contributing Member

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    Lin has the real power in this scenario then?
     
    #14 bobloblaw, Oct 11, 2013
  15. ch0c0b0fr34k

    ch0c0b0fr34k Member

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    Have you seen McHale's leg?
     
    #15 ch0c0b0fr34k, Oct 11, 2013
  16. Morlock O

    Morlock O Member

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    Everyone just needs to relax.... Emotions are flying all around... let it settle down a bit... Give people time to warm to the idea...

    Emotions + Debate just does not go well...
     
    #16 Morlock O, Oct 11, 2013
  17. jtr

    jtr Contributing Member

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    It is the preseason. It actually just is an indication of the coaching staffs thought processes. Who he starts just indicates where his doubts lie. However he is obviously a much better evaluator of on court contributions than anyone posting here. I cannot wait to see his lineups in November. It may surprise us all.
     
    #17 jtr, Oct 11, 2013
  18. Phillycheese

    Phillycheese Member

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    Sorry, not really relevant. The PG position is different. You don't leave your best point guard to start with the subs. The only way this makes sense is that McHale treats James as his point guard. Which to me is more apparent. Not saying this is good or bad, just that is how it is.
     
    #18 Phillycheese, Oct 11, 2013
  19. Reach

    Reach Member

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    Harden as 6th man!
     
    #19 Reach, Oct 11, 2013
  20. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    Most LOFs didn't even watch basketball until Lin, so they probably thought this guy was coaching the rockets.

    [​IMG]
     
    #20 rockbox, Oct 11, 2013
    1 person likes this.
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