James Harden out with thumb injury, will miss Spurs game

It's a sore thumb? Really can't play through that?

 

"Likey"? What a joke! If Lin is not starting when Harden is out, then what excuse is there to defend the demoting of Lin to the bench? Lin is the only other playmaker in the team after Harden. Why hold him back when Harden is injured. We need offense when Harden is out. We need playmaking with high assist numbers to make every one else better. The argument that Bev starts over Lin because Bev is a better fit to play with Harden will be out of the window when Harden is out. If Lin doesn't start tonight or at least play a lot of minutes, you can't blame Lin for getting demoralized and not wanting to play for McHale after all these humiliating treatment by him.

 

^ Insecure LOF par par...

 

This is bad. We really need others to pick it up, especially Lin and AB

 

can't catch a break...

 

Kevin McHale is on NBATV right now trying to be best friends with Eernie Johnson. He has a personable approach, but he's definitely assistant-coach material. This isn't in the FireMcHale thread because it was on the pre-game show on NBATV.

Some gems about the upcoming Spurs game:

"We don't come out with enough physical presence on our team."

"You're gonna have to execute. You're gonna have to run..."

"We've gotta really attack...

"We've gotta get the pace up, keep attacking..."

*These are the same things he says in time outs. These are the same, tired sayings that he uses to *try* and motivate the team.

The problem is that there is no substance behind the words. Because Kevin can't make adjustments to become a physical team, and doesn't know what it means to adjust so that we can "execute," or keep "attacking, the players don't know how to do it either.

It's sad. Truly. We shouldn't be ripped apart by Memphis.

This is purely observational, but in time outs, there are countless instances where Kevin McHale is talking and players are not looking at him or they're talking while he's talking. His words just float and disappear. That suggests the players feel like they have to take control, which may be part of the Harden-iso issues. Coaches like Pop, who we'll see tonight, have total focus in any time out. Their words are listened to carefully and no one but Pop is talking. Interesting.

 

I agree that Lin should be starting ALL THE TIME, but the bigger question tonight is 2 things:

1) How many total minutes will he play, especially in the 4th, and

2) How will he be utilized this game is Harden actually doesn't play

These two questions will answer a lot of what is really going on.

 

Posting accusation without any argument is a sign of immaturity. What do you have to say? Say it Man.

 

Chill out they say "likely" because their hasn't been an official lineup released yet.

 

I did, thats why you are angry at me.

Sounds like you did too much blow today, go chill out.

 

So true, but get prepared to be flamed by McHale's Navy.

 

I'll say it.

You come across as a Jeremy Lin homer. You said that McHale has treated him badly this year by not playing him as YOU see appropriate.

Your post suggests Jeremy ought to be angry if he doesn't "get his."

Most of us want the Rockets to win and don't care about individual accolades for one player.

Even with Harden out, Pat Bev still deserves to start over Lin because he is more efficient, not only with Harden, but in our offense in general. He offers more on the defensive end, too.

Everyone has an opinion though. You can be whatever fan you choose. In turn, we can criticize just as much.

 

Harden is scared

 

No way if he's playing as a SG. It's well known that Lin needs to ball in his hand to perform his miracle.

 

1. It doesn't matter as long as the TEAM wins.

2. He will be utilized to help the TEAM win.

 

We going to lose by 20 if Harden is out?

 

Hope i am wrong but this time Spurs have the edge.
I am more worried about our bench and health in general.
At this rate, we are going to end up with some major injury to our core.

 

Y couldn't Lin be hurt instead of Harden

 

This part doesn't quite make sense... we need someone to play the roll of attacking the basket and creating for the team. On this team, Lin would be number two in that skill set. So Lin starting would be logical, whether in the SG or PG slot.

As is, we are pretty short handed... so I would assume Lin would start next to Bev.