Lin leading all point guards (with 21 mins or more) in true shooting %

Not everyone wants to be a 6th man forever. Manu Ginobli is the exception rather than the rule.

Harden left to become a starter. JR Smith wants to be in the starting line up.

Being a Starter carries more prestige, not only with fans but with the media and sponsors. Starters earn the big bucks and the glory. They're the ones that are highlighted in the media packages and on the billboards. 6th men with rare exception are often looked at as players that can't "cut it" as Starters.

Just look at how often the opposing announcers say that Beverley "outplayed" Lin for the Starting position, despite Morey and McHale repeatedly saying it's due more to fit than ability. Most media is lazy and can't be bothered to discuss the nuances of why a person is a starter versus playing on the bench. Given that most casual fans from the in-game announcers, many fans form their opinions of those players from those comments.

This doesn't mean that Lin won't stay, but it doesn't mean he will stay either. If another team offers him similar or better money AND a starting position on a contending team it's really hard to say what Lin chooses to do. I wouldn't be shocked if Lin stayed, or if Lin left if he was offered a good starting position.

 

If current trends hold, we wont be able to afford trading him.

Then again, if current trends hold, we're in deep trouble.

 

Let's hope that happens. This season and next season he is under contract. Let's hope the Rocks don't pick up the Team Option.

 

He won't stay. I bet he would take a lot less to be a starter elsewhere.

 

If he can play for a tax-free contender, is there really a better option for him elsewhere? He really likes the slow calmness of Houston, too. I think he'd despise living in LA, though he did love NYC so you never know.

 

Lin doesn't have a team option at all. Not this year, not the year after. Stop saying that.

 

Let's also not forget he's from California and his family still live in California, and he did play previously for GSW.

While I don't think he'd be in a rush to play in Charlotte, I suspect there's no shortage of bigger markets that could tempt him if presented with a good situation.

 

Just my observations....

Very unlikely Lin continues shooting THIS well. However, he was a solid player and I believe he can be even better this season. I suspect his minutes will be good and his opportunities and comfort will only increase.

He isn't really playing the traditional point guard role, and that is fine, I think the 6th man role fits his strengths better. He has greater options to create and score those 10-15 minutes a game Harden is on the bench. With teams like the Rockets there are no traditional point guards.

I have no reason to believe that Lin is unhappy in Houston, and I am sure the Rockets will do what they can to keep him because by that point the cap situation will be such that they will not be able to replace his production.

 

I can see him going to Raptors.

 

That would be a fun team to watch, with all those athletic wings and sharp shooters - only if they can defend.

 

Only 4 assist because he is coming off as a 6 man now. If he was starting consistently Im sure the assist would be up. You also have to factor in that our sg also likes to play pg regardless if Lin or Bev is in the game and the couple of layups that turkeyboy smokes every game.

But good to know the shooting is there. Props to J Lin for working hard in season last year and off season to improve his outside shot.

 

I don't think he's happy. He is trying to be realistic about making the best out of the situation. It's evident in the lost to the Lakers, where in that post interview he made reference that he was talking to his agent regarding the situation. The whole team seem to be in complete chaos, they aren't geling at all and I don't know why. I'm sure once they are all playing more cohesively things will change or so I hope.

 

Lin will accept what the coaches want but if given the opportunity to play as the starting point guard (and as a REAL pg) on a decent team, I think he will choose that over 6th man. Of course if the teams that want him aren't really contenders, I think he'd stay with the Rockets. I do believe he deserves to be a starter. It's up to the coaching staff to make it work as well as the other players. People like to talk "sacrifice" but how about walking the walk and not just talking the talk. Lin is making the best of his situation and just playing hard when he's out there.

In any case, let's not get too high or too low on Lin. It's still early let's just wait for the season to unfold and hope for the best for this team.

 

Bone headed plays (or as the NBA refers to as TOs) will happen the more u handle the ball. Harden, Howard and Parsons also have high number of bone headed plays.

 

He's gonna leave once his contract is over, or maybe he'll get traded but I don't think he wants to be here. No matter how well he does he won't start and he knows that.

 

Or maybe the Spurs will go after him so he could literally play the Manu roll.

 

There has to be a better comparison. Manu irks me with the flopping.

 

Perfectly reasoned post.

 

Agreed. The media just loves saying that Bev out played Lin, it's just easier, and once people are saying it, they stick with it. I can't think of many or any contending teams that would offer Lin a starting position - thoughts anyone?