I think it was evident that he wasn't comfortable for much of the season. Noticeably improved in the second half. Not sure if due to injury or comfort. Probably some of both. Regardless, having 2 good initiators on offense can't be a bad thing. The 80s Lakers won 2 rings with Magic and Norm Nixon - neither who could hit the side of a barn from the 3 point line. Kareem also obviously commanded double-teams (a lot moreso than Dwight). We are similar to that team actually in some ways in that we have decent-to-great players at every position except PF. We also have an uptempo offense like they did. Kareem-Dwight (both All-Stars but different styles) Wilkes/Worthy - Chandler (Chandler is sort of between them in style, much lower in skill so far. Could catch up) Harden-Magic (obviously different styles but both All-Stars) Nixon-Lin (pg who did not excel at the 3 pt shot) If they could win multiple championships, I think we can definitely content with our lineup assuming the natural skill progression we should see from Parsons/Harden/Lin.
3 point shot was not as important back then - different era. Reason is simply that defenses were not allowed to play zones for one, and two, players just did not move that fast - the game was slower. Back then, spacing was less critical. Defenses were not as complex either. You just can't compare eras at all. The 3 point era began basically in the 90's partly or mostly because of Rudy T - depends on whom you ask, and really took off when zone defenses were allowed so spacing became even more important.
This comparison would make sense if Lin adding a spot-up 3 to his game would cost him money. Seriously, when was the last time a PG became a better 3pt shooter and teams decided he's not worth as much as before?
Great article about Lin and Howard Jeremy Lin Will Take Next Step with Dwight Howard in Houston By Mike Hoag (Featured Columnist) on August 2, 2013 USA TODAY Sports Jeremy Lin is on the verge of becoming a truly special point guard as he heads into his third NBA season. After adding Dwight Howard, the Houston Rockets reportedly explored the idea of moving their starting point guard in an attempt to make room for a third star player to pair with him and James Harden, according to ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle (ESPN Insider required). Hi-res-7233122_crop_exact Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Spo While that makes sense superficially, it’s also a bit contradictory. Howard chose to head to Houston because of the core of young talent already in place there—that includes Lin. However, the point guard hasn’t exactly lived up to the initial buzz he created for himself when he burst onto the scene during his rookie season in the Big Apple. Everyone remembers “Linsanity”, yeah? Howard and Harden also reportedly want to play with Lin and Omer Asik, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, quoting general manager Daryl Morey: “The reality is James (Harden) and Dwight (Howard) want to play with Jeremy and Omer. I’ve been kicked down to assistant GM. They’re going to be here.” There’s a good reason behind their demands, too. There is a lot to like about Lin’s potential to thrive in an offense with the added presence of a dominant interior player like Howard. Lin made strides last season as the point man of an offense more or less run by Harden. Now he could finally develop into the prime of his career over the next season or two. His tireless work ethic and growing push from backup Patrick Beverley—who came on strong in the postseason—should be enough to ensure that happens sooner rather than later. But how is it all going to come together? Will Howard, Lin and Harden be able to play together symmetrically in a way that benefits all three of them? Howard had problems adapting to Los Angeles’ gameplan last season, but things will likely be catered to him now that he’s made the leap to Houston. Should the Rockets trade Jeremy Lin? In a heartbeat 3.1% It's not happening, drop it 92.1% No one would take that contract 4.8% Total votes: 5,107 His willingness to work off of the screen with consistently could be a tipping point for the team’s realization of their goals and ultimately Lin's progression. He should welcome Lin’s ability to create off of the pick-and-roll, which will allow the team to open up lanes for Harden and free up shooters on the perimeter, including Howard. Howard’s ability to finish near the rim is also among the best in the league. He made 69 percent of those attempts, putting him 13th in the NBA of those with at least 200 attempts last season. Howard’s 80 percent conversion rate on pick-and-roll plays was also the best in the NBA among all roll men. With Harden likely a prominent facilitator of pick-and-roll plays, there are going to be plenty of open looks for Lin. And he shot poorly from outside as a whole last season, hitting just 34 percent of his attempts from downtown. Here’s a look at how he fared from the field in Houston before Howard's arrival: Shotchart_1375468243208_crop_exact Those numbers will undoubtedly go up with another year of experience and the added presence of Howard. The question is whether or not Lin can rise to the occasion and hit the open shots that are going to be there as defenses swarm to shut down Howard in the paint and close down Harden off of the screen. Think of Rajon Rondo in Boston for a moment. Teams differed at times, allowing Rondo open looks while focusing on the team’s more prominent players, daring him to make them pay for it on the perimeter. That is what the immediate future holds for Lin. The pieces are in place. Considering how hard he is willing to work and the opportunities he’s going to have, the chances of him succeeding are exceedingly high. It’s really as simple as that.
Here's just a Lin related question, and I'm don't want to create another lin thread. (Lets also assume Lin isn't traded in the next two years) After the 2014-2015 season would Lin resign with the Rockets? Does a contract like the initial prospsal to Lin of $28.8 million contract over four years cut it or does it take the PG league average around the 8-10 mill mark when lin is a FA or does Morey (your dam right he is still here) not even bother with CF's most loved figure post Royce.. For me as not a LOF or LOH I think he could be signed here on a 2 year vet min lol But in all serious I think this guy would love to be a loyal player once everyone figures out what his potential actually is, however in 2 years time you would hope this team is nearing on complete.
I think that depends on his level of play. If he improves enough to be a near All-star caliber then he might want to get another decent contract, since at that point he would be 27 and in his prime. If he maintains his current level or gets just a bit better, I think he will take less money (4 - 5 mil/year?) and stay with the Rockets. Morey probably can convince him to take less in order to sign another star for the team.
I agree with you, wish they'd stopped registrations in 2011 before Lin. Back in our day circa 2008 people could take a joke. These new kids today who respond to racist trolling with disapproving snark SMH.
It depends on what the team looks like. If Lin is getting starter minutes and is part of the game plan and continuing to improve then there's a chance he signs with Houston. He can certainly get at least the league average, basically what he's getting now, around the league though so it's not likely he'll sign a vet minimum during his prime. Lin is a loyal player but there's 0 about "loyalty" in the NBA where you both sign for less than your market value and are not part of the decision making process. You either get paid, or you get to call the shots like Lebron or Dirk. Doing anything else would be acting like a damn fool. Lin is Chinese but even in his case loyalty doesn't mean working harder for less pay, although some people do have expectations of that. Loyalty in Lin's case means giving everything he has when he is on the court, preparing himself for games and doing what he can to help his team win. My gut feeling is that either this thing takes off and Houston is close enough to winning that Morey wants to keep the core intact and pay Lin what he's worth or in 2 years Morey is starting to wind down the Dwight Howard experiment and looking to trade Lin and everyone else on the roster for reboot.
