ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Pacers 10/10/2013 in Manila, Philippines (PRESEASON)

Thank you sir. Repped!

 

Injury.

 

You can say that, but look at the reaction to someone suggesting Harden coming off a bench. Everybody thinks it's a demotion/inferior role. Why is that? Harden can come off the bench and still play 35+ min. And technically speaking it maximizes all the players skillsets with him off the bench.

Lin is top 5 PnR dishing to the big man (which was Omer Asik) last year. And Harden is a top SG regardless.

So the people asking Harden to come off the bench does actually have merit in saying this. This way Harden doesn't have to share the scoring with Parsons or Dwight. But look how people react.

So for those who keeps saying Lin as the 6th man means nothing status wise can't argue a 1 way street on this. It will be a demotion, but he will shine more as a result of the demotion, but never the less a demotion in status.

For the record, I would never let Harden come off the bench. I just think some of you debating the topic here is being hypocritical.

 

Lets see how far complaining about being a 6th gets with McHale......... one of the best 6th men ever.......

 

In some sense, if Rockets want to keep Parsons (gotta pay him money) and then get a good PF, then someone has to go after one year, and that someone will probably be either Asik and Lin, probably both. I see the writing on the wall, and this is the beginning.

 

The problem is that in this offense, you do not need to be an elite creating point guard.... and a number of Championship teams have looked for and relied on a point guard that defends, leads, limits turnovers and hits open 3's... and that is what Beverley does.

For all I know, Lin may start.... but I do think having Lin and Asik together in the second unit may be better for the Rockets.

 

Harden is a better PnR player than Lin. FYI

 

Why you asking me? I think Lin should be the starter because he's the better player and better fit. I also think Lin is performing at his salary, and could actually outperform it this year. I also think it's better for the Rockets to have two superstars and two mid-salary guys like Lin/Asik who are one-step below all-star players (Asik all-star for defensive purposes) than to have a 3rd star, because the 3rd star won't have the usage of a star so you're just wasting half his max salary on a guy as opposed to spreading it among two players who can make a bigger overall impact.

I also think Lin could resign after this contract for a similar salary. Parsons also $8M/yr or so. And we need to find a 15min per game back-up center that excels at defense and rebounding somewhere (Morey need to pull a rabbit out of the hat here).

So, to me, I'm all good. I think Dwight will really enjoy playing with Lin. If Lin can make Tyson Chandler look that good on offense, imagine what Dwight is going to look like once they get chemistry together. And if Dwight wants Lin to stay, Morey (the assistant GM) will work it out.

 

Except for the fact that no one is saying for Harden to come off the bench.

 

Has Lin complained? Or did you complain to McHale about some LOFs complaining?

 

It is a basketball issue in terms of demotion. That's what I meant. It has nothing to do with sponsorship/popularity in terms of not accepting the backup role, which is what you wrote.

 

Harden is a better PnR scorer. Lin is a better PnR passer.

Paired with Asik (when not paired with Howard), being a PnR scorer fits Harden better. Paired with Howard, relative to being paired with Asik, makes it easier for Lin as a PnR passer and you're better off having Howard catching and finishing PnR passes than Asik, when paired with Lin and not Harden.

Some mutually exclusives and non-mutually exclusives there, just like the last few posts, hope you understand by now

 

Les can go over the luxury tax, and stated he's willing to do so for a contender.

I believe him

The trick is to get that player on the team before we actually have to extend Parsons, so you can go over the cap to resign that player.

 

If you really believe having Harden come off the bench is the same thing as having Lin come off the bench then there is no point in continuing the discussion with you.

Who is it on our bench at SG that is pushing Harden for playing time and could be seen as a better fit with the rest of the starters?

And how is having a role player, who is a capable starter, come off the bench the same as having a superstar come off the bench?

 

Also, Harden prefers to pass out of PnRs to 3pt shooters, Lin passes both to the roll mand and 3pt shooters well, and definitely to the roll man for at rim shots better than Harden.

Hence the fit.

 

Actually, Manu did it Just fooling with ya!

But if Manu played 38 minutes per game and health permitting, I do think Harden may not be a better player than him.

 

So its a demotion because its a basketball issue, and its a basketball issue in terms of demotion. Got it. (When someone you're arguing with starts going in circles, its hard to take the argument seriously.)

So I'll just ask again, explain how this "demotion", as you call it, would result in him taking a less important role. Explain it in basketball terms, not with "well, that's how's every player looks at it!" If there's no actual reasoning behind it, and you're just going to keep appealing to how people perceive it, then I rest my case: its demotion in perception, not in fact.

And for your information, every year there are multiple players vying for 6th man of the year. In most of those cases, we're talking about players who have taken a role with their team that exceeds, in importance, the role a starter in front of them has. There are many examples of this, throughout history:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/smoy.html

 

I don't know about which will work best in long run. But regardless of which role he plays, I have a feeling Lin is going to be very good this year.

 

I just went to the Pacers forum to see their knee jerk reactions. #7 and #8 were very interesting.

http://www.pacersdigest.com/showthr...-Game-Thread&p=1715879&viewfull=1#post1715879

Here is a copy and paste of it as well

Quick thoughts after the game:

1. It's preseason.
2. It's really good to play that bad at this stage of the season.
3. Chris Copeland is trying things he isn't good at, cause his shot didnt fall. He looked really bad on Defense tonight, hope they get that straight.
4. This Hilton Armstrong guy looks like a keeper...good third string Center, hits his freethrows,has experience in playing with David West is a plus for me.
5. Really loved OJs aggressivenes!!!
6. Granger is rusty...but remembering the old Danny, he was always bad in preseason. He needs time.
7. Dwight Howard is not the same he was in Orlando.
8. Montijunas is a really nice backup Center!
9. Our Defense was so ugly, it's not even funny, but look to my first point.
10. Don't get mad guys, it's good to see our weaknesses right now, cause that's what preseason is for!

Go Pacers, just stay healthy!

 

I think, in terms of perception, a lot will depend on who closes games.