Maybe you should have watched the game a little closer. Lin had a very good first half and a not so great 3rd quarter. That doesn't mean you don't put him back in the game in the 4th quarter (dumb ass Mchale). Brooks made one 3 pointer and besides that he did absolutely nothing. To not put one of your top players back in the game is just ignorant. It was Harden that made the team play better, it had nothing to do with Brooks. Brooks went 1 for 8, 1 assist, 2 turnovers. The fans should have been cheering for the Rockets, but maybe they thought if we lose the game that Mchale would be one step closer to getting fired, and that would be better for the Rockets in the long run.
It's also the Rockets organization that supports McHale. I'm a bit disappointed in ALexander really. He has a good team, but something is not right.
Lin was having a very bad second half... Again you are only looking at the shooting... McHale has put Lin back in the game when he's had a bad shooting night in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters, but at the same time he's playing decent D and not making Bone headed mistakes.... Tonight in the second half it was more than his shooting that was off.. AB was not in the game for his shooting, he was in the game to for his leadership and to play better D than Lin was. Lin was off in the second half, but you guys are reading so much into this. Also to answer your question.... Jackson, Riley, Wilkins, Sloan, Fitch.. Just to name a few.. T_Man
Response Just accept that's the way Mac is. Lin is no starter in Mac's eyes, so Lin can't afford to make dumb plays, or he will get benched.
My opinion is that McHale has no control over Harden and Parsons seems to get a pass no matter what he does. You have to remember that McHale is a human being, and a stubborn one at that judging from his interviews. He was one of those who waived Lin in the past, and its very hard for anyone to admit that they are wrong. That's why McHale rejected Linsanity. And that's why Lin gets a short leash. I would support McHales own explanation that he kept the players on the floor because they were playing well, but then McHale subbed in Howard so he contradicted himself.
And inexperienced. McHale needs to accept that Lin is a lot like Harden without the ISOs. He may be a bunch of mistakes or huge series of big plays or buckets waiting to happen. And forget this star vs. role player nonsense, Lin helps the team win even if it isn't to the degree Harden does. Enjoy the ride McHale, play Lin and stop the doubts you're creating around him. Just play him and if he screws up, there's tape to make him watch and instruct him on. Be a real coach, not someone that makes him play on eggshells. The worse feeling to have is to play on eggshells.
Dude... We are talking about 1 freaking night... I have yet to see anything posted where AB is starting and Lin is moved to 2nd or 3rd string... The man just had a bad second half... Stats are not going to show you anything about mental mistakes on offense and defense.. This is why I state STATS don't tell the whole story. The game of basketball is more than just scoring and the pg position is more about leadership and not STATS. Man you guys are reading so much into this... Again, you are caring more about Lin than the Rockets... The Rockets won does that not mean a thing.. T_Man
Werent people saying that mchale should take him out of games because of his free throws in the beginning. And Didnt mchale also ask howard if he wanted to go back in that DMO game and he told him no. Howard also came back in with like six minutes left tonight.
8 minutes in 3 quarters is not having a bad second half. It was struggling. but 8 minutes is only 1/3 of a 24 minute half. there was no way you pull a player even if the player is struggling the first 8 minutes. NO way you do that for a starting caliber player in the NBA. AB is not a better defender than Lin. That is the most absurd thing you can say. we've seen lin capable of shutting down the top PG's in the league. AB doesn't posess that ability there fore you can' say that AB was playing better defense than Lin. As for leading a team better? that is purely subjective. maybe in you personal eyes you say AB playing a smooth PG position. I didin't see it. The Assists weren't there. the steals weren't there. AB shot 1-8. It doesn't matter how much you spin whatever you say. what you say is a matter of subject. I have no doubt that Lin would have come back to become clutch in the 4th. he has proven that clutchness all year.
Parsons has had some BAD games over the last two years; he can get into terrible slumps with his shooting; and yes, there are nights when he doesn't give 100% on defense. Same for Beard; same for everyone. People here are trying to justify McHale's decision to bench Lin. I could accept that if McHale had a habit, or a general rule, that whenever a player starts missing shots, or a defensive assignments, he sits out for the rest of the game. But when ever has McHale done that before with any starter? More and more I'm seeing a double standard for Lin in comparison to the rest of the players.
that's why Dwight was out in 4th quarters alot. I think one game Dwight might have strained something. He only played 24 minutes or something. that was when Motiejunas and Lin sparked the comeback against the Grizz. Howard didn't play that many minutes that game for some reason.
No man, you aren't getting it. It's why did a coach bench his 3rd or 4th best player that has shown he's clutch in the 4th in a close game where you will need this player throughout the season to help the team win. This wasn't any great win, this win sucked. There's nothing to rejoice. The team played a little less poor than the Knicks, they didn't take it to them and show that they had the stuff of a well-coached team moving in a good direction. There are issues to talk about, not rejoicing over a team with some glaring flaws.
I think he can be an allstar someday . It was tossup for me in the beginning between robinson and jones on who had more talent but its good the rockets kept him.
The way Lin is being treated is still like he is trying to make the rotation or something. No respect at all. Would any coach on any team do this to their starting player who has established themselves to be a solid starter? Absolute confidence killer.
AB was pretty solid tonite. Seemed to make a few good passes into the post. He is a seasoned veteran. Why the fuss over Lin? I would have put Lin back in myself but why the big deal?
the benching was out of the order, but as long as it doesnt become a pattern this year, nnothing to worry about
Lin did seem to be a bit frazzled. His reactions to a couple of calls and the blown inbounds play warranted a sit down. I would have put him back in but AB was manning the ship okay.
Didn't watch the game today, but checked the GARM before checking the scores. I thought the Rockets lost.
