ClutchFans Game Thread: Hornets @ Rockets 10/12/2012 (PRESEASON)

Lin has looked average to be honest. But this is just preseason. I don't think he wants to get injured in preseason driving hard in the lane. We all saw what Lopez did to him. No need to really go all out. I wish he would look for his shot more though.

 

I think what you guys are not recognizing about Lin is this. He's some who has a lot of humility. When Carmelo came back into the lineup last year, Lin had to defer to him and subsequently his stats went down.

He comes to Houston and everyone is calling him the face of the franchise and he admits he is uncomfortable with it. He thinks this is really KMart's team because he's been here the longest.

So what does he do the past two preseason games? Completely defer to his teammates, especially KMart. Lin should be taking more than just 6 shots in 25 minutes. The Lin haters who won't be watching his games this season will point to his probable average scoring numbers (~10 ppg) and be obnoxious. People would feel better if Lin can average 9-10 assists to make up for it.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Sarcasm bud, get used to it...

 

i'm not sure what you're problem is. I just looked at Dragics' stats over the last two pre-season games and they're not that different from Lin. They both have the same number of turnovers and they're close in assists (Lin has 1 more), steals (Lin has 3 more), and Dragic has more ppg (more attempts).

They're both solid. One isn't astronomically better than the other.

 

Lin needs to stop looking for thers and start looking for his own shot and the res will follow. With he nicks he thrived because he looked in attack mode. So far he looks passive. Attack and shoot.

 

Went to the game today, was alright, rather unspectacular and sleepy I guess, but that's preseason. Shame Davis and Lamb didn't play...really wanted to see them. Liked what I saw from Patterson, K-mart and Asik. Asik's still struggling posting up, keeps dropping the ball, but his defense and rebounding was awesome. Lin was ok, not remarkable and he missed some layups that he sometimes makes, but I don't think it's a problem, it's only preseason he gets roughed up pretty hard almost every time he visits the paint so I think it's fine that for now he should keep that to a minimum. Motiejunas wasn't so good, I like his shooting and ability to knock down open jumpers, but maybe it's nerves or something because he like airballed(?) or missed badly on at least 2 post up attempts.

 

As i said, With the Knicks Lin was a aggressive monster, he looks so passive so lets hope he starts reverting to that mode soon.

 

He's been deferring a lot, but I don't think it's that bad right now, in the actual season he really steps up and attacks when the team needs it. Right now early on it'd be foolish to play too aggressively especially when he gets hammered almost every drive.

 

In defense against the pick n roll Lin gets picked off way too easily and he never seems to recover. Something he needs to work on.

In offense I love how he always looks to penetrate inside. Good at dishing out too. He looks to have a good connection with Asik which I like too, he found him a few times right under the basket.

 

I don't think you understand how basketball is played. My wife often sees a player who scores a lot and is flashy and thinks he is the best player on the court, while it's clear that the less "impressive" one running the show and doing the little things like being in the right place and doing the right thing at the right time is what is making the team run.
Clearly, Lin is running the offense well, granted not spectacularly, and has not needed to score or look for his game so much. He is doing what needs to be done. If the offense was stagnant and he couldn't start creating, that's a different story. I'll bet if he wanted, he could recreate the oft-talked about "Lakers" game style of production as his ability to penetrate aggressively is gonna be there, but it is not the right time nor what Mchale would (I assume) want. Would you rather want Lin driving and scoring and taking over the offense even more, at this point in time during the preseason? I wouldn't as that should not be the goal of preseason.
On a side note, your hate is obvious and your lack of basketball knowledge is clear to most everyone, so cut it out. Please.
Just focus on the positives of the team, as they're doing a decent job out there and our rookies are getting good burn out there.

 

I agree.

 

Whoa! Not one of our players scored 20 pts and they still win by 20 pts. Now that's defence!!!

 

Lin looks to me like the same Lin as last year, and I mean that in the positive sense. I don't get the talk about him being too passive right now -- it's not as if he needs preseason to ISO or practice getting into the paint all day. Preseason is better spent seeing how to play with new teammates. The scoreboard doesn't matter in preseason.

Still waiting for him to show his improved perimeter touch that his shooting coach talked about during the offseason. And the explosiveness of his first step still isn't back yet.

 

Agreed.

 

No. Some players when they get aggressive,their playmaking comes naturaly to them. Lin is that type of player. Alot like Westbrooke. LIN IS A NATURAL BORN SCORER ANMD ONCE HE STARTS LOOKING FOR HIS OFFENSE, EVERYTHINGELSE COMES naturaly. I hope McHale dosent bottle up Lin allowes to play freely.

 

.. agreed, he can and should be more aggressive, though most of the fans on Clutch are gonna crucify him for the TOs.

I think once his shots start coming, he'll feed off that and try to go off. You probably already know that Lin's had a tendency to start his games setting people up and ups his contributions in the fourth (not that I like that approach) so these games arent' too indicative of how he'll play. But overall, yes, I am worried that he may be "bottled up" deferring too much to fit into the team. As the year goes, I have complete faith that he'll fulfill any role required to get victories, whether that be as the clear scoring threat, or as a fill the stat-line kind of player with a lower statline compared to what a Lin fan might want to see. All I want to see is a solid floor general getting wins at all costs, by deferring OR taking over, and attaining a playoff berth with the hope of shocking the league. I believe!

 

Taiwan broadcasted the game live and Chinese fans live streamed Taiwan's broadcast online. There were probably more people watching this game in Asia than those in Houston. LOL.

Lopez need to watch out for any headache or where he steps. He's been cursed every way under the sun for that hard foul on Lin. Good to hear Lin is alright.

 

1st time I saw so many people wanting the PG to look for his shots more than pass... I really couldn't understand you guys.

 

Thanks Clutch!

The last two games, Dmo had a rude awakening experience. Comparing to his first press, playful and somewhat cocky, he came to realization this is nothing like the bball he played in Euro League.

Defensively he was a deer in headlights, played out of position, missed blocking assignments, and looked very uncomfortable. As a player coming off the bench, he HAS to play well right from the gate go. Warming up to play par as the game progresses just won't cut it for the team.

With this said, he has a high bball IQ and will eventually figure it out, but he better do it fast or ending up in the DLaegue. I wish coaches will pay extra attention to DMo; go over films and help developing him a better defender. I will have my fingers crossed.

Kmart really impressed me; not for his scoring but for his defensive intensity.

Delfino worries me with his lack of defense.

Those are ones that worth mentioning.