Yes, Calderon got him. Yes, other players will get him even this year and throughout his career. Yes, he went under the screen in several games, which he shouldn't have. Yes, he got caught playing safety and had players go backdoor on him. But I've seen this happen to nearly every player. Even Shump, who is widely acknowledged as a defensive beast in NY. I just think the spotlight on him when he gets a turnover, a defensive miss, a bad game, etc. is unfair. Others have had embarrassing games against Miami including Rose, CP3, Nash. But taken as a whole, he gives his all on D, has great instincts, is a menace, a steals leader, one of the top blocking PGs, great help defender, and seldom allows penetration except in P&R situations (see STAT). AND he's only 23! AND he's known for improving his weaknesses and being a gym rat in the vein of Kobe. Look at his improvements in defense, in free throws, in TOs, etc just in the last year. I'm not saying it's racial. I'm just saying it's odd. That is not to say that he is as menacing a defender as Shump, or as intimidating a defender as Lebron. I'm just saying that I hate that a good player is being unfairly marginalized due to ignorance. He's a good defender, IMO. I'll leave it at that. We'll see this year where he stands after injury.
You didn't just compare Lin to Kobe, Rose, CP3 & Nash did you? C'mon bro you're waaay out there. Lin is a nice prospect, but damn get a grip.
Roxxy, I couldn't find where you had responded to me earlier in regards to JLin's defense, so I'll take the time to do it here. I see that as a fellow League Pass abuser you are knowledgeable about Lin, and pretty much just basketball in general. I respect and agree with pretty much everything you've said. But, I think I'm not being too off when I say that I believe Lin is actually a great defensive player. Not elite, mind you. Not a defensive player of the year candidate for sure. Not a first, second team all defense team candidate. But one that is a clear net positive in creating an active, meddlesome backcourt. One that I can trust. AND he will get better in the so many other areas that he has to improve on on the defensive end. I just cringe when people post these ignorant "Lin's defense is below average" posts without having seen or having seen only one or two bad games. In fact, I daresay that even if they had seen the great defensive games with their own eyes (against Brooks as an example), they would not be able to see it, due to having been told that he can't play defense. I really think that even if I sat next to them and watched the games together, only the negatives will jump out qualifying their previously held beliefs. The same with the "he can't go left" hogwash. I know everyone can't watch all the games of every player, but following opinions blindly, especially negative ones, is something that just irks me. That's all. Anyways.
I was just giving examples showing that a few defensive lapses here and there can be possible for even elite players like you've mentioned, not comparing their greatness to Lin's ability. But I am excited about his prospects, though, not at that level.
Your just joking around right? Hard to tell sometimes on the internet. He said Lin is a gym rat similar to Kobe not that they are of equal talent. He said that many pg's have a bad game against one of the best defensive teams in the league (see CP3, Nash, Rose, John Wall) he never said that they were comparable talent wise. The point he was stressing was that all players have bad games (young and old) but they don't get beating over the head to death with it to the degree Lin has. Although I do think Rose had it rough after the Bulls Miami series.
It's because Lin is very polarizing. With only 25 starts, he's a bit of a mystery, so everyone and their grandmother has an opinion, whether it's pulled out of their nether regions or not. People look for evidence to back up their "gut feelings" about him, so you get strange logic like: he's unproven because he's only started 25 games, but one Miami game defines him. Or Lin is unproven because he's a product of MDA's system, but Felton is better than him because of the good half season he had in NY (also under MDA!). To be fair, those other players mentioned, who have had bad games against Miami, have played in the NBA for longer and have shown their consistency. (Btw, lots of Knicks fans think Felton is a better defender than Lin. I've seen no evidence that Felton is a good defender. I think it's racial... I don't know what it is.)
It's not the team (Miami Heat) that's troubling its the individual matchup. Mario Chalmers couldn't put that kind of ball pressure on Rose, Nash, John Wall, or CP3. Chalmers bothered him and that's where the concerns come from. Lin is a nice prospect but some of the posts I've read have set the bar way too high for this kid. (Top 3 or top 5 PG?) Let the guy develop and see where he winds up.
It was their third game in a roll, and MDA had been playing him too hard... could have been fatigue or nerves. I agree though... let's wait and see.
I've never had any problems with anyone who disagreed with me about certain players. It happens, and I get it wrong as much as I get it right, like anyone else. It's just the "ignorant masses" who blindly follow SAS, Isola, and their ilk that irks me. And when this leaks over into the mouths of good people, repeating the particular putdown-of-the-week promoted by SAS, that's when I feel frustrated. I get that Lin started only a few games. I get that. But, still, when a young "winner" shows what he showed, in the manner that he did, shouldn't we be excited and hopeful? Why such a negative or let's-wait-and-see attitude? We don't do that with Kyrie. Do you really think if he had done what he had done since the second game of last year rather than the middle of the year, he would've gotten the benefit of the doubt? Do you think that if he has a breakout season next year, he wouldn't still have a multitude of haters making excuses for why what we saw was not impressive? It's a shame, that's all.
Agreed. I'll take top 15 for now, top 10 or higher by the end of his current contract. He'll be in good company and I hope that he makes it. But, I do reserve the right to hope for top 5, personally. I just love the style in which he plays ball. He'll be in my top 5. How about that?
LOL. He may be one of my favorites, but he's not better than CP3, Rondo, etc. How about: Lin's my favorite PG in the league, but he's not the best PG in the league. At least not yet... I've been a big Magic Johnson fan all my life. He just "knew" how to play the game the right way. And Bird, too. So when I see a player of their "kind" (not a comparison), I get stupid excited. I'd like to think that I'm under no delusion and that I have my homer glasses off when I say that Lin could straight out play ball, and that he will be one of the premier PGs out there in the future. He's clearly not one yet. As you said, we'll have to wait and see. I've been wrong before. I was high on Odom when he first got in the league.
Who the hell said he was top 5? lol I never said that and I have never seen anyone on this board call him top 5 I think you are exaggerating. Listen he is a good guard he is young and he has a high ceiling that is all I said. There a lot of pg's that are better than him and rightfully so they have been at it longer. Yes Chalmers bothered him but Thabo also bothered Wade with a full court press it happens. Your are right though the game was a mess and he has to play better next time around to get that monkey off his back and to get people to move on with there lives. I just don't understand why people say he had a small sample size and then at the same time relentlessly bring up one ugly game as a cause for concern. I just find the narrative around him intriguing to be honest. Very indicative of the human psyche. Lol don't mind me I am going all psychology major on you.
It's part of the extreme fan base. A lot of Knicks fans were calling Felton fat and Portland fans were calling him a locker room cancer. Here's a pic that some Knicks fans like to post: But of course there's going to be support their boy Felton, he's a Knick now.
So If you haven't seen it couldn't possibly be so, huh? (Oh all-knowing psychology major). YAWN. It's been posted that (Top 5 PG) is his potential. Dude the race card has been played, comparisons to Nash (and other all-stars), he's been called historic, etc.......I've read it all and folks need to chill and see how he develops. If that ticks you off then so be it.
It's clear that your comment was taken out of context and those with critical thinking skills understood your point.
