Also from the article: "Per Synergy Sports (subscription required), he (Lin) hit on just 38.8 percent of his spot-up attempts this year, and the Rockets—who ranked 28th in points allowed per game (102.5)—have also allowed fewer points with him off the floor. For the playoffs, Houston's effective field-goal percentage—which takes three-point shooting into account—is 8.2 percentages points better without Lin (51.9) than with him (43.7)." Here are the numbers. You guys happy?
Lin is out there cheering for his teammates. He is contributing in spirit. He could be training with Tim Grover in Chicago, but he chose the right team thing to do.
I think it'd be best if Lin came off the bench. Simply because we don't want to shake things up too much by benching Garcia. It's absolutely silly to think that Lin would not help us even more in this series. He is ammunition off the bench; a playmaker, defender, and can drive to the hoop. People seem to forget that he was playing just fine in the first half of game 2 before the injury. I don't know if its honest forgetfulness or intentional ignorance. And yes, he is the starter for next season. Get real. You don't pay a guy 25 million to come off the bench. If it comes down to that, you might as well trade the man.
Yep, Magic is the ultimate "finger in the wind" guy. I still love him, though. RedEyesKirby -- Good advice. I don't care much what people are saying from that perspective, but I know it bothers some other fans so I say something every now and then. tinman -- Amen, brother. Again, I am a HUGE Beverley and Brooks fan. That's what is so sad about all of this. We can't enjoy wins any more and the fans are fighting amongst themselves. It's sad. We've got a great shot at winning this series. I honestly don't care if Lin plays another minute in the series if we win. Or if we lose. Let's just do the best we can.
I don't know what you have been watching but Lin certainly has not "passed all the tests this year". I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt because you clearly did not only join this forum to root for Lin, but Lin has been shaky at best as a Rocket. His first month of the season was absolutely abysmal and while he improved since then, there is still a very clear tension with him and Harden regarding roles when both are the court. They don't mesh well at all. He is terribly inconsistent, and doesn't do one thing very well which can be used as a weapon on the court. He has emerged as a serviceable PG, but he puts us at a disadvantage at the position most nights due to there being 15-20 opposing PGs who are just flat out better. Most of this wouldn't be a problem, but he is one of the largest cap hits on the team and the alternatives (Brooks/Beverley) bring about the same or more at less than half the cost combined. Being a "doubter" really has nothing to do hoping Lin fails, its just recognizing Beverley is providing more and fits better at a lower cost.
...and what test did PB prove to jump ahead of all PG or Lin? If you going to use sample size of PB...then is it fair for me to use sample size of Lin base on his stats for the last 2-3 month?
Though what you said is true, you are still drawing conclusions on a very small sample size for those 2 guys and lumping it in with Lin basically playing his first full season. Don't discount the fact his numbers were hampered by his injury early in the season, and more importantly, he's put up these numbers while having to re-tool his style of play. He was at his best as the primary ball handler/shooter in NY. He's had to learn how to share that responsibility with Harden and play off the ball a lot this season. But Lin's ability to be a primary ball handler will no doubt come in handy later down the line and I think it's great he's been working on expanding his skill set, while still helping the Rockets make the playoffs and still putting up respectable numbers. Nobody really knows how he will fit in with the Rockets offense going into the future at this point, and it's something that should be discussed during the off-season. To me it definitely seems he's passed the test. A typical up and down first season. And the Rockets made the playoffs. Period. I honestly think the entire team should be kept in tact. They are ALL young, and were all inexperienced. It can only get better next year.
I also like to include that I have nothing against PB and I do want him on the court along with Lin. Excluding him being a non-factor is ridiculous.
I don't mind Lin coming off the bench but Beverly needs to be running the starting unit and brooks needs to be the pg for the bench. We are dictating the tempo which is the biggest thing. Lin can't be dominating the ball and doing that stupid pivot crap when he gets trapped in the paint . AB and beg may miss shots but its still within the normal flow of the offense and doesn't halt our momentum much when they do.
Leave that to the professionals. I'm pretty sure they know what theyr'e doing. Lin probably generate other source of income for the team and for the NBA org.
You can use whatever stats you want to believe whatever you want. Beverley has been a difference maker in this series. Lin never was. I don't need sample size. I have watched Lin enough to know he is at his best when the ball is in his hands and that is not going to happen here.
We don't really know what's going to happen going forward. Also that's not such a bad skill to have when Harden is hurt, or when your #1 guy is down. See OKC..... Again, Lin's might be at his best with the ball in his hands, but he's also learning how to play a different role, which is a GOOD thing. If Harden goes down, can you trust Bev or AB to run the show? I KNOW Lin can. Under the brightest of lights too.
This article is beyond bad. Lin basically just played 1.5 playoff games. The very first game is a very special case that most of our players got panic and sucked, Lin might be the one sucked the most . The half game Lin played in game two, he was as decent as most players. In short, trying to draw conclusions from this 1.5 games is either stupid or having some hidden agenda.
I like both Lin and Beverley. I am huge in having both play. That said, if Harden goes down, the Rockets lose with Lin or Beverley. Actually, if Harden goes down, Lin and Beverley would play together and the Rockets would lose. Lin and Beverley both have good upside w/ and without Harden on court. I am looking forward to seeing Lin, Harden, Beverley lineup after a training camp. I think the Rockets will use Lin's talents better when Harden is on the court.
This! We need lin to be healthy. But he should be on the bench. Not starting. (right now... Not always lof)
