Either start Lin, or bring in a new starting PG, Bev ain't cuttin' it.

That is not true. There are a whole bunch of factors you are not considering. You are over-simplifying it.

It depends on the opponent, the intensity of the game, who is in foul trouble, the match-ups in the game, etc.

Games aren't played in a vacuum. A coach makes substitutions that affect minutes for all kinds of reasons.

Starters get more playing time during big games. Reserves get more minutes in games that are going okay.

 

I agree and have said that when Bev and Lin play together, the offense has a better flow too. That's why ideally, we start Lin and when we rest Harden we bring Bev in and then when we bring Harden back, Bev stays in and Lin goes to the bench. But overall, the ideal minute share in my opinion is that Harden gets 30-35 min, Lin gets 30-35 min and Bev gets 20-25 min.

 

I can't say one way or the other since I have not made note of McHale's substitutions.

But what I am saying is that Bev getting less minutes = good and more minutes = bad is overly-simplistic.

 

That would have more merit if Beverley were truly a real starter. But many on here will agree that Bev is starting b/c McHale doesn't think that Harden and Lin can co-exist successfully. I disagree with that. I know they can but Harden just has to understand that he doesn't have to be the man all the time. Jordan learned it, Lebron learned it, Kobe didn't really learn it but had a stacked team… lol

 

Harden and Lin CAN coexist if they buy into the system. So far Harden is being over-used and Lin is being under-used. I remember last year there were couple of games where Harden and Lin played brilliantly together. It CAN happen.

 

I remember the first 2 games that they played together, it was electrifying!

 

Yikes- he does?

Mr. Beverley- please don't take my comments and criticism as me not liking you. You're one of my favorite Rockets and I think you're a good fit for our team. I would just like to see you use your strengths in the best situations. But I know you are not a selfish play and you want what's best for the team, as I do.

 

Was thinking the same. I specifically remember Dwight having consecutive games with ~26 minutes played (foul trouble not an issue) that we won comfortably. The football equivalent is the amount of carries/passes a team attempts equals a win/loss. When, in fact, the specific game situation (whether you're winning or losing) dictates the number of attempts. To be fair, the OP's data might also mean Lin needs more minutes. Another poster already mentioned, there are several factors in play.

 

That's very misleading because bev plays those kinds of minutes when guys are hurt, thus the whole team is weakened

 

great, another one of these threads that could have easily been added to another thread.

let the stupid and beat to death arguments continue.....

 

I disagree. I think that we already have the pieces. Maybe shore up the bench a little. But with T Jones emerging, we are pretty solid 1-5 (assuming Lin were starting) and a bench with Casspi, Bev, Garcia and whoever we get for Asik (I would love Varejao) would be pretty good too.

Soon we likely won't have Parsons and that will be a big hole to fill.

 

Totally agree. Our win against OKC showed what magic the two really can have.

 

Bingo...

 

This team has the talent to complete, unfortunate, front office decided to keep the incompetent coaching staff. Rockets need a Pop or Doc, a coach who will scream at his players for not doing the right thing in the court.

 

The point is, you're instigating arguments with your "LOF" rants. I've read enough of your posts to know that you're not trolling, but on the surface you can appear to be to someone else. If you drop down to their level by using their terminologies and regurgitating their insults, expect some mud slinging to come your way too. Take it how you want. I'm just telling you why someone can toss you into the troll camp.

Back on topic. In the start of the season, I thought Lin off the bench was a great idea, because the 2nd unit sorely needed a play maker. Beverly was a great defender and a good spot up shooter. Since our 1st string didn't have a problem on offense, I figured we wouldn't lose too much without Lin. I hoped Beverly would also develop some type of offensive game as well to solidify him as a starter.

However, with almost a third of the season gone. We've seen the worst case scenario, Beverly's regressed in all categories. His spot up 3s are down, his defense isn't bulletproof against starting caliber PGs (also maybe more playing minutes). In light of the new situation, I think it's time for a lineup change. I'm not saying we need to trade for another PG, but AB needs some burn time.

 

This theory assumes Bev is the better player, and not just the better 'supposed' fit with Harden due to the need for perimeter defense.

In my opinion, this theory stretches too far.

It's the DMo gets to play in blowouts theory for 8 minutes applied to someone who is clearly the better player and plays 30+ minutes a game.

 

And I think in reality it's a little of both. It's still a small sample size in the big scheme of things and we know that Lin has been hot. That being said, even if we assume a game or two fell into that situation, the 7-3 when Bev plays less than 30 minutes a game would still be pretty telling.

As for Dwight having 26 minutes played absent foul trouble- that isn't such a surprise because we have had to bench Dwight at times just so teams don't play hack a Howard. Or sometimes we have had to go small to match opposing teams. I can't say for certain without going back and watching the games but I'm guessing those would be the reasons.

 

Oh Christ

 

I gotta go with "bmd" on this one. Basketball is too complex to just be summed by when better players play more minutes that teams do better. I prefer Lin to play more minutes than Beverley but statistics always have lurking variables and undefined parameters that can be interpreted in almost any manner if not defined properly.

 

Not sure what you mean by that. Bev got 3 wins when Harden was out and he played 30+ minutes. Those helped his W-L record.