At half time coaching said they wanted Lin to attack & push the pace. In the first half he definitely pushed the pace and had a nice scoring half by putting NY’s PG on his heels. I thought Harden mostly played PG in that half and didn’t focus much on scoring. But was the intention by coaching to force the Knicks to play Houston’s pace? If it was then I didn’t think it worked too well. Also, at the start of the second half, NY gave Houston some of its own medicine by going at Lin. He was picked off cleanly multiple times by Tyson, and Beno had multiple nice plays to help NY eventually take a lead. Lin was suddenly put on his heels and played some crap defense. He was finally replaced by Brooks who played the rest of the game. I question whether coaching’s first half directive was the best approach for the starting lineup or for the team. The way they used Lin was more in line with part of what he could or should be doing off the bench. But doing that in the starting lineup just seems to mess the flow for the rest of the starting players. It’s not that he can’t play PG or defend well. I think he can do both, but in this game I think the directive was too much on him being a scorer to start out the game. I still fall on the side of Murphy’s thinking, if you’re going to play Lin in that starting lineup, let him play PG (and I would add emphasize his game around defense, which I think he is capable of doing). Even more than last year, I think coaching just cannot balance out Lin's capabilities (and maybe this is part of Lin's fault in terms of how he wants to play his game, I just don't know). For NY on a backside of a B2B, I thought they did a better job than Houston. Knicks missed some wide open shots with less than a minute left and the game tied. They could have won this game if some of those 3s went in. Harden “saved” the team by again pouring in some crazy points, and Brooks eventually “won” the game for Houston. But I wonder if all that was necessary if coaching had a better game plan. It just looked harder than it should have been.
I actually agree with you Durvasa. The 3 pt off the offensive rebound is a super high percentage shot, as is one from the top of the key. It all comes down to not making the shot though. It was the right play, that or passing to a wide open Carmelo. It is basically going for it on 4th and 1 at the 45 with a minute left in a tie game. It is the right call, you just get unfairly bashed if you don't execute.
It is bad enough for Harden ISO down the stretch, but at least the beard can make it a lot of time. Now, Brooks ISO? Oh! my
There is no system or Offense it's pretty much do what you feel out there. Horrible coaching, Mchale owe's Jr Smith his job.
You do realize Udrih had exactly 4 points and 2 assists in the 3rd when Lin was guarding him...and he had 8 points and 5 assists total against Lin for the night. The Rockets won DESPITE McHale...
Dwight wasn't doing well though. Someone correct me if I am wrong but everytime it seemed like we were about to pull ahead, Dwight's misses inside kept the game close. Still, I agree with you on principle.
This is utter garbage. Collecting a big paycheck and satisfied at doing nothing is not selfless but rather shameless. Every player wants to play, even his name is Lin. Lin was bad in the 3rd, but how conveniently all bashers ignored the first 2 quarters when he played decently. We won, but MOST were NOT happy. Not upset about the W, but about so many things in the game, and McHale played a great role in it. Stop acting this "selfless" or "happy for team" garbage.
Rockets have been losing ugly and winning ugly. I will take the W any day but this team should be getting better.
Seriously, can you objectively tell me you aren't scratching your head at some of the coaching decisions tonight? Take Lin out of the picture, and its still a puzzle. Why was Garcia and AB playing almost the entire fourth quarter? Where was TJones and Casspi? Casspi wasn't playing too badly. And the plays. Sigh. I won't even go into that.
The reason Lin was benched was because he was daydreaming on D again in the third quarter. His defense have improved this season, but he would still do that once a while, and having a hard time getting pass the screen in this game. McHale should've put Lin back in late 4th quarter, but lucky or not, the team won. So.. really can't say much about it.
Nope Harden jacks up a three or Lin, Harden or Parsons turnover, Casspi, Garcia miss, they don't give it to Dwight in the right position he has to come out to the damn 3pt line to get the ball it messes with his rhythm.
Ugly win but I'll take it. Solid games by Harden and Parsons, still need to clean up on defense though
of course, but he has to be held responsible for the lack of help d. this has been a problem all year. why did we look like defensive gods vs the spurs? cuz splitter was setting the picks for parker. jones hedged on all picks and contained parker. lin got the credit but it was all jones. when we play teams that screen with the center, and dwight doesnt hedge? we get destroyed. the defense starts with the perimeter my ass. dwight needs to help defend the pnr.
