do you notice that Harden saved his energy with no defense in order to get his type of number. Harden is taking a huge advantage because he plays PG without having to guard opposite PG. But the main point should not be comparing Harden vs Lin. It should be how to put them together and benefit this team. If they can't put them together, Lin must be traded.
Yes it does, and that is fine. There would not be as many fans feeling passionately about Lin, there would not be as many threads and there would not be near the arguments on this forum and amongst people if he was black or white.
Yes, it's hard not to root for a trailblazer (not Portland!) in any sport to succeed, especially when he's such a good guy and a talented player.
You're assuming that he's playing PG because he's our leading assist man (both per minute and total)? So was Magic Johnson also taking a huge advantage since he rarely guarded opposing PGs? That chore usually fell on Byron Scott. How about Jordan and Pippen? They were always the top 2 assist men on the Bulls yet rarely did either guard an opposing PG. They were really getting over weren't they? Is it a problem that Lebron isn't guarding PGs?
That's a drink worthy quote. I've noted that a few times but didn't want to sound like a broken record. Those guys get doubled all the time. They have coaches game planning for them. They're always a threat to beat you. It's not easy to continue to produce when another team keys in on you. Ask Chandler.
Again, if Lin were a horrible player then there's no way he'd be getting this kind of attention, Asian or not. Don't disregard the fact that he's popular for all sorts of other reasons too (i.e., faith, charity, role modeling etc). He's loved and he's more charismatic than everyone else on the team combined. The comparisons to Tim Tebow were warranted, only Lin had a game to back it up.
Exactly what I was thinking. I can guarantee if Lin was to replace any of those top point guards his stats would increase too.
Lin's problem is not playing style. His style can gel with Harden without problems. It's his confidence. It's all mental. I am more and more convinced that he plays poorly because he is not sure of himself. This is especially true when he is on the floor with a star teammate, be it Melo or Harden or even Dwight.
Isn't it more about the style of basketball the team plays? Wasn't there a similar issue in Knicks as well? Or do you think that I am Chinese and the only reason I want to see Lin play is to see him play, lol.
No, there is advanced stats. And Lin is a turnover "machine" in that regard. He has a 19.2% turnover %, which is an estimate of turnovers per 100 plays. That compares to Harden's 15.7%, Wall's 15.8%, Curry's 16.9%. Guards with a higher TOV% this year, and similarly meaningful minutes played, include three players: Chalmers and Norris Cole (which is interesting) and Ricky Rubio. http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2014_advanced.html It's fine, is what it is, just think that it needs to be recognized. Players like Steve Nash and Rajon Rondo have also historically had, consistently, that high TOV% (+/- 20%)... but I don't think anyone would argue Lin is on their level or close as a creator for others. I'm not saying I don't want Lin to try to make plays. I just wish he woudl eb more aggressive as a personal scorer. I'm not sure. If this is true, than the "some reason" is because there is a LOF faction that think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread, that he had Linsanity, and because of his contract.
Something closer to what Lin's been posting when Harden is out, I would guess. Nine games of above par performance without Harden may not be enough to establish a pattern, but it certainly is getting there.
Interesting. You've repeatedly claimed (see below) that Lin isn't playing PG and that when he is he has to share the job with a committee. Now you're attributing his possession time to him bringing the ball up the court. So which is it? If he's not playing PG then he's not bringing the ball up the court. If it's PG by committee then you need to factor in Harden bringing the ball up the court too. The only way that Lin bringing the ball up the court should have an effect on his possession time is if he does it most of the time. Since you claim that he's not allowed to play PG then that's obviously not the case. Lin averages more half court touches and possession time per minute because he gets opportunities. The idea that he just stands in the corner and shoots jumpers is ridiculous. http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=8445218&postcount=2492 http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=8392731&postcount=1709 http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=8617936&postcount=1269 http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=8452330&postcount=292 http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=8393153&postcount=696
That confidence is an issue would not surprise me, especially considering how he got to the NBA. I also think though that he is just a PG who plays best when he can orchestrate -- he is more engaged, he gets in rhythm better, when he is running things. The fact that he can -- almost like clockwork -- raise his level of play when Harden is out, makes me think this .
2 ways Lin will run an offense (Both are after his contract is up here and he leaves): 1. Start for a team looking to tank. 2. Start for a team in Europe or Asia. Like it on not, that is the reality. He can play for a winning team but he wont be starting.
Not sure why you keep referencing that particular stats. It's not the same as running offense. Most of the possessions our guards bring the ball up court, move around, and hand it over to Harden/Howard. It's so predictable, and good teams are catching up to our strategy and effectively defending that lately.
