ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Magic 3/1/2013

At no point did I say Harden was LBJ.

McHale has taken Harden out many times when he was obviously struggling. He just doesn't do it in the 4th because Harden is the best player on this team and is the only person who could create his own shot.

 

I think that's the difference between you and me. I think Lin is and should be utilized as the floor general of our team. And our floor general should not be given a bit role. Harden is clearly out star but that's does not mean you relegate everyone else as a role player and then get upset when the actor given two lines doesn't make the movie an Oscar winner. Btw, Argo? Really? It was good, but.. Lol

 

Everyone else IS a role player. It's not an insult, it's the truth. It's also nothing to be ashamed of. The Rockets have had a history of great role players vital to the team's success.

Also, Harden is an all-star veteran player who has been in the finals. Lin is none of that, and hasn't even properly completed a full season yet, that's not taking a shot at his game. That just means Lin is not seasoned and experienced like Harden

I am fine with Lin having the ball more, but in close games or going into the 4th, it's a no-brainer for Harden to be the primary ball handler.

 

You implied it when you immediately followed up the comparison with LBJ and CP3. Don't get me wrong, Harden is a talented player and all, but his impact is nowhere near LBJ. If he is even half way as superstar as LBJ, the team would not have gone on a 7 game losing streak when he was "they guy" running the show while relegating Lin. After that Bobcats win (barely mind you), they went back to Lin run PG, and guess what? We were blowing away teams again.

I could go on for at least a paragraph on how LBJ is so much better than Harden, but I'm pretty sure you agree with me on this.

 

Do you guys remember the Kings game, when Beverley had hot hands in the 4th and McHale subbed in Lin only to have him picked up the 5th foul? By the time Beverley came back in, he wasn't as effective anymore.

McHale seemed to learned his lesson that he opted to stay with hot hands in the 4th quarter tonight.

 

No I didn't.

How you even deduced that I have no idea.

I clearly stated that you don't take out your all-star players, and I used LBJ and Chris Paul as an example.

Somehow you took that as me inferring Harden is Lebron James. That's a big leap in logic.

 

There were two separate camera shots showing Lin clapping. I can't remember what qtr. I don't believe there is anything negative between Lin & Beverley. They seem to support each other.

 

Well, you keep repeating it so many times when you argue w/ me. Harden...Lebron, Harden...Lebron, Lin...Chalmers, Lin...Chalmers..., that was the comparison you were making w/ me over and over again. I don't think it was a "big" logical leap, a bit of a leap, but not by much.

 

By the way, Beverley's floaters looked great. He's got a fine touch on the ball.

 

OMG are you guys still blabbering about the PG's? The PG's played good tonight! They were not the problem! It was the PF position and of course coaching...

 

I disagree that Harden should be primary ball handler in the 4th quarter. He should be the primary scorer but not the ball handler.

 

So when Lin was hot the 1st Q why did he sit for 10 minutes?? Was he "hurt" more than Harden?

 

Agreed.

 

So how is Harden supposed to score if he doesn't get the ball.

Harden can create just as well as Lin but he can score at will either.

 

BTW - Beverley played great, keyed the win and deserved to stay in. Lin played well and could have spelled Harden or Delfino for a while. Still it worked out and was a must win.

 

yeah this is my biggest bone of contention with mchale...NO MATTER what he always benches lin at around the same time in the 1st...i understand lin needs rest, but what about game flow? today was a great example...lin was the best player on the court in the first half of the first while harden was having a quiet first but like clockwork lin gets subbed...why not just sub harden then? we have all noticed that lin is as streaky as they get, why not ride the hot hand?

i think in general mchale makes subs in the first 3 quarters based on a set pattern rather than in-flow...he tends to take out guys when theyre hot a little more than id like...in lins case there have been a string of games recently where he comes out hot, gets subbed and then is average-below average the rest of the game...maybe im seeing something thats not there, but just once this season id like to see lin not get subbed at round the 8 minute mark and see what happens

 

Agreed. He also sat for the quarter break (how long is that?) and then for 6 MORE MINUTES to start the 2nd Q. Probably 12 minutes total. Certainly enough time to let sore ankle get very stiff.

 

Agreed. What's up though with sitting Lin the last 3:30 of the 1st Q and the first 6:00 of the 2nd when he was hot?

 

I disagree. Your floor general is not a role player. You're looking at it way too simply. A role player is a 3pt specialist or a defensive specialist who is like a designated hitter and comes in to play a small albeit helpful role in a game. Lins part of the main cast, lol. A floor generals role is crucial points or not. So you think kust cuz Vasquez is not an all star his coaches would say Vasquez is a role player on that team? (Not the best example but..)