I've been critical of Lin not because I'm a hater but because I don't trust him. In his year and a half here, he appears to be mentally weak, inconsistent and not to be trusted. That being said, we're stuck with him on the team at this point so being a Rocket fan, I want for him to do well and be a major plus to this team and not a hindrance down the stretch. Like I said in the other anti Lin thread that got locked up, Bev was sucking for the most part until the 4th against the Suns and he made a lot of big time clutch plays. Bev is not easily rattled. Far too often when things are not going Lin's way and he's having a bad game, he gets down on himself and starts playing even worse by forcing ridiculous passes, TOs, etc. Lin is too easily rattled, that's why its hard for me to trust him down the stretch and in the playoffs. Lin doesn't appear to have the mental makeup/toughness to be trusted.
He needs to forget what everyone thinks and just play his own style like he was doing in NY. His thinking and worrying about missing/making mistakes is killing his game and potentially the team big time. It is kind of frustrating to watch him play when he hesitates and lowers his confidence. It is like owning a 500hp car where speeds limits are 45mph - it causes frustration because you know the car's potential, but can't unleash it.
Lin is shaky. I'm not mad at morey for signing him and I felt a punch when Dragic wasn't signed. linsanity or Dragic during that time? I would've done the same thing.
I think it's more of a mindset issue rather than skills set. We know he's flawed, but he does bring something very valuable to the table, when he's on. I always thought a 4 million/annual deal would be better for him, as he wouldn't have been under so much pressure. But nobody will say no to 25 million, and it's not my money. Worth is or not, the contract is signed. The problem is, the bar has risen significantly proportionally to the contract. Lin has problem of over-thinking. If he misses a few shots, he will start to hesitate on everything, which only makes things worse. It has to be fixed, and I believe it will be. With some help, I believe he can do it faster. Not help from a few fanatic followers, but more help/support from coaching staff and teammates. Not saying anyone is owing him anything, but more from a practical POV. We didn't want to or failed to trade him. He's still a member of the team while occupying quite some money at the total payroll. Besides, Rockets PG/SG rotation is really thin now. We need his contribution. Helping him helps the team. You can say what you like about how they are millionaire professionals; how they are supposed to be like robots and don't have any personal feelings; how we team only fans don't give a damn how anyone especially this insecure scrub feels. But let's be real here, as much as some might hate to see him on the team, for pure basketball reason or "team" reason, we need him for this season. Young players need some encouragement and guidance to develop faster. JVG and Pop are tough, but players can feel the care and love. Rick is a great coach at X's and O's. I don't think McHale is doing much in both encouraging and guidance departments. His you-go-out-there-play-hard-and-everyone-fights-for-own-shots approach might be good for more established players, certainly is not Lin needs the most. It's Lin's fault that he plays inconsistently, and he has to work on it by himself. I just hope that coaching staff can do something to help him as well.
I won't argue that it was stupid to let Dragic walk. It was even more stupid when you consider we gave up an asset Brooks at the time for Dragic just to let him walk for free. Dumb, dumb, dumb But the hate should be directed at Les not at Lin. He didn't hold a gun to anyone. He was ready to rsign with the knicks. And Morey made a second offer that made it easy for them to watch him walk. Not Lin's fault but everyone has Les amnesia.
I don't think anyone is complaining about trading Lowry. I think the main issue is Dragic. That last year contract talk is BS!!! People make too much out of future dollars and I think Morey played into it! If you are an effective player, the way Dragic is playing now, you could be moved easily with one year left on your contract. Hell, the Rockets moved T. Robinson, in order to sign D. Howard and Robinson had been a disappointment up until that time! And whose to say the 1 or 2 max players that may be available in 2015, will want to sign with the Rockets?? Daryl Morey messed up!!!!
I ment simply to say: most MEN are One dimension in terms of Focus & are easily distracted. His priorits now days is shifted to something else other than playing basketball I am trying to be Dr.Phill :grin:
I agree "OLD MAN"! I think this was a Les move but Morey is taking the heat, because he refuse to give Dragic the extra year and after Dragic walked both he and Les, looked to Lin. If I were Lin, I would've took the $$$ too. But I'm just glad that everyone is starting to see that Lin is not a starter, nor is he a 7th or 8th man off the bench. I think he is at best a 9th or 10th option on a good team.
I disagree. No 9th or 10th option can pull a Linsanity, whether it's a fluke or all stars lined up or every dog has a lucky day. Actually Lin has proven he's starting material. After Melo and Stat came back, Lin didn't play at Linsanity level again, but he played within his role - the starting PG of Knicks while focusing the offense on Melo. For example, he played very well against a loaded Pacers, especially in 4th quarters. Mike Woodson said at a post-game interview, "I trust my starting PG, and put the ball in his hand in the 4th quarter, and he delivered". It may be news to you, but Lin did start 82 games for us last season, and he also started quite some games this season and did pretty well. He's inconsistent for sure, but just like Linstanity or a good game against OKC or SA doesn't define him, a $hitty game last night doesn't decide his career either.
I have truly tried to give JL the benefit now for 2 years almost. That goodwill has all but dried up. Flashes of brilliance do not makeup for consistent indecision, but worse HE puts his team mates in terrible positions over and over. The worst of Lin's Sin's: He dribbles deep into the middle, starts rotating around like a weather vane, then SUDDENLY shoves the ball, not passes it, to anyone within and many times out of reach. Please make it stop !
I agree! it was a fluke or that all the stars aligned right. Lin hasn't been Linsanity since, well Linsanity. It happens all the time in sports; basketball, baseball, and/or football. A player has an insane month or season and after the clock strikes 12:00, they turn back into their old selves. I think he has a spot in the NBA, just not a 6th, 7th or 8th man off the bench
Lin has proven he is a starter in this league - as much as Asik has proven he is a starter in this league. He's just going through a slump, it's normal for players to have them.
I dont think it was a fluke, because he was still able to go consecutive 30+ game this year and triple double a month ago, so obviously he has the skills. He is just mentally weak, which led to his inconsistencies. Players with high inconsistencies are best suited for 6th man.
Outside of the Knicks, name three teams Lin can start for with all players on that team being healthy?
Every page now someone comes in with the "lol at this thread" "i cant believe this thread " Yea believe it, hes inconsistent and makes weird decisions. Play how he played in ny? Get out of here with that. I wish he boosts his play since he's a rocket, but he should have been gone and will be this summer.
No, Lin has proven time and time again that he is talented enough to be on this team. He has helped them win a lot of games and had some worthy clutch moments. Because he has been slumping recently, people including you, eagerly wants to forget all of the good games he has had. Yeah, it's driving me crazy how he's up and down and he needs to get his head checked or something, but he definitely has the potential to be a very good player when given a chance. The games he has done well in were mostly when he was pushing the pace and had control of the ball (i.e. Spurs and Mavericks games). I really want Lin to just say, "F it" and go crazy and to just take the ball in his hands and play instead of passing it off to Harden. I mean why not? Bev, Chandler and especially Harden does it.
When Bev was out, the Rockets struggled! I guaranty you if Lin goes down (knock on wood, because I don't wish that) the Rockets will not miss a beat. What Lin brings is 6 to 10 points a game, 3 rebounds, 3 assist, and 3 turnovers off the bench. I think Canaan can give us exactly what Lin is doing now! That's why Morey was seeking a trade before the deadline. He know what he has in Lin
Remember, it's not insane to his "normal self" but rather insane comparing to the history. Give me a list if you are so sure it's been done all the time, and the said player is just a bench warmer indeed. BTW, your insisting on 8th or 9th doesn't change the fact that Lin started for us last season, and we were in playoffs.
