The all star game isn't about who's objectively the best. If it were, then there would be no need for fan voting. A computer could simply decide. It's about who people want to see.
It goes both ways.. Lin needs to get better at playing off-the-ball, and Harden needs to get better and moving without the ball...... They are mutually exclusive, but striking a balance here would be beauty.
The Rockets push the pace and seldom run the shot clock down, so your premise is limited at best. Jeremy Lin is not in anyway similar to Steve Nash. Ricky Davis, Chris Gatling, Elden Campbell, DJ Augustine and Larry Hughes put/puts up big numbers when they are not next to Harden/Melo/Kobe. You know what else they all had in common? Their teams sucked, because they got the opportunity and possessions that stars get but they were mediocre players. Ok. People, correction, LOF's typically make references to Harden being a volume shooter, lazy, bad for chemistry... and other obvious code words. There is no way to know, because Lin fans came on this site complaining since day one. Further, based on the fact that the Rockets can win and they still complain... I doubt it. What is with LOF's taking subjective matters and labeling them "fact". First, it isn't a "fact" that the Rockets currently a first round exit team. It depends on whom they play, they are capable of getting to round 2 and may very well do so. Second "the stickiness" argument has been shown to be false by advanced metrics. Add it to all the other myths stated on these boards, such that the Rockets down run plays, that they don't run PNR, that they only ISO and that McHale hates Lin.
I agree! Signed, 6 Time World Champion Bulls Dynasty (90's) 5 Time World Champion Lakers Dynasty (00's) 4 Time World Champion Celtics Dynasty (80's)
Your post would be far more meaningful and persuasive if we had any player that was even close to the level of players you mentioned in your post.
as others have said, harden is not on jordan,kobe, or birds level. we have harden who was 6th man on OKC.
The Durant example is not a good one for your argument. Even Reggie Jackson, filling in for Westbrook, has a much higher usage rate than Lin, whether starts or not. Jackson 24.1% Lin 20.1% Not saying I agree with whoever you were responding to - just keeping facts straight.
Perfect Timing. Here you go, enjoy: Let's also not forget the poll results for "Should we look to Jeremy Lin to be our closer as opposed to James Harden". Results: Lin 1132 Harden 419 It's not just one or two people. There's tons of ridiculous stuff like this and it's all related to Lin. It's this type of endless barrage of ridiculousness that irritates people. I truly believe that almost none of the anti-Lin sentiment on this board is actually due to Lin, it's this type of stuff that has dumbed down the content of this forum that is the real issue.
That poll thread is blatant trolling. I voted for Lin there too. If you start a poll "IS LIN OUR BEST PLAYER?" - I am pretty positive that you will get over 50 percent yes.
These are arguments for Lin being a better playmaker or closer but not an overall better player. You're filling in some gaps to make the strawman argument. There's also an equal amount of ridiculous stuff like people saying Lin is a D-leaguer or Lin doesn't go left (no one ever says Harden doesn't go right) or Lin is terrible at D (when his defensive ratings are pretty decent), and all this stuff dumbs down the content of this forum as well. Given that Lin is basically the Jackie Robinson of sports for many Asian Americans, I think the gracious Houston fans can afford to be a little patient and flexible. It's not like LOFs are saying Mengke Bateer or Yi Jianlian or Wang Zhi Zhi should be All-Stars!
I agree with you. I feel the onus is on our coaching staff to find ways to maximize all the weapons in our arsenal. Instead we are settling on the 2nd but easier option. Bev and Harden might seem to be the best fit but Lin and Harden have a much higher potential.
I agree that a Harden-Lin back court has the potential to be lethal. But it is not that simple. When Lin plays with the starters he tends to take touches away from Parsons. In addition, Harden has shown he can thrive both on and off the ball, but he prefers controlling the ball. Given these factors, and the fact that our bench is in such need of play making help, there are legitimate reasons for bringing Lin off the bench. Plus, based on Harden's skill set, it seems unlikely the Rockets would be interested in resigning Lin at his current (or higher) salary when his contract expires. Whether it is Bev or another player, the Rockets seem to be learning towards having a PG more in the mold of Mario Chalmers or Derek Fisher. In this situation, it does not really make sense to develop Lin as a core piece of the starting line up. None of these things changes the fact that Lin has the potential to be an above average PG in this league, or that he brings something special and important to the Rockets. Hopefully, for the duration of his time in Houston, the Rockets and Lin can find a way to maximize that potential. The last two games have been a fun reminder of how good Lin can be when he is given the chance to be the floor general. When Lin is on, it all looks so easy.
I think Larvs8 did a piece that showed Parsons/Dwight efficacy decreased with Lin on the floor, Jones went up though, if we're spreading the other starters thin when Lin starts then i think the 6th man role is the best for him, IMO.
I am glad someone read it. Maybe consider Jones off the bench with Lin since they play so well together and Dmo in the starting lineup.
He certainly has better individual stats when Harden sits. In order for the team to succeed to it's highest potential, he has to learn how to effectively play with Harden. And of course if he's leading the second unit and playing with intensity off the bench the Rockets will be just dynamite.
