I agree that all 3 players are similar except for one major exception. Lin has a winners mentality and the record to back it up. He was a winner in HS, college and when he's had a starting role, a winner in the NBA. Theres no ifs or buts about it he plays with a winning, never say die attitude that rubs off on his team mates and elevates their play.
Glad to see that you're willing to change your mind. It's such a change from months ago, when I watched every Rockets game with fear that Lin would do badly. Now, if Lin has one of his really off games, I'm the first one who wants him benched because he has solidified his status as a worthy starter, and I know that one bad game won't change that fact.
Not when said players play different roles on their teams. Both Dragic and Lowry are primary ball handlers, Lin is not. Just to make it clear, I'm not complaining, every other PG will probably have to play this secondary ball handler role on the Rockets unless it's CP3.
This... Doesn't anyone remember Linsanity? The only other good player in that stretch was Chandler (never known to be an offensive threat) who Lin made look like dwight howard during that stretch. Lin's had fields, shumpert, jaffries, novak as teammates, all solid role players, but role players they are nevertheless...
Erm its the opposite. Its much easier to put good numbers on a bad team where you get to dominate the ball. Lin is not the primary ball handler on this team and he plays off the ball. Look at the numbers Nash is putting up playing off the ball to Kobe on a "better team". Look at the great numbers Kevin Love puts up on a bad team. Look at the numbers Lebron put up in Cleveland even though he is a better player now. Better players=less ball dominance=a lesser role=less opportunities to pad your stats.
I'll still take Dragic over Lin in a heart beat. But I feel much more confident about Lin's game than I did earlier in the season.
I wouldnt, not only he's getting paid as much, but also he's shown that he's nothing more than a slightly above average PG who's at his peak.
I've watched Dragic play this season with the suns. He is not the same player that he was in our system.
You meant the pnr heavy offense we ran last year? There's really no defense when it comes to what kind of player he is now, Suns run the PG friendly offense as much as anybody.
Dragic was playing like a scrub when the Rox acquired him. How else would you get him and a 1st round pick for Aaron Brooks? Mchale's system allowed Lowry and Dragic to dominate the ball all game and inflate their value with no other capable players on the court with them. Lin and Harden split that duty this year and taking that into consideration, Lin's stats stand up to what those other 2 put up last year in my opinion. Lin's problem is he needs to constantly be in attack mode. He doesn't play we'll when he is passive and deferring to Harden too much. There has to be a balance and the games when he achieves that balance, it frees Harden up to play off the ball more and he has proven all year that he is just as good or better playing off the catch. Harden is going to get his regardless. When Lin is passive, Harden feels like he has to do everything and then Lin gets benched.
The same excuse could be used for Lin, if anything his role here on the Rockets is more of a detriment to his game than Dragic's role in Phoenix.
Yeah he is carrying his team and trying to will them to victory. This is the type of gritty performance that I was expecting to see from him more often. Maybe not a triple double obviously, but being a true difference maker on the court in terms of wins and losses.
Dragic has been just as inconsistent as Lin this season. Has games like tonight then does a disappearing act for a few.
I think it's pretty obvious at this point in the season that all three are close to the same ability right now but I would give the edge to Lin. Lin has better court vision, passing ability, he can get to the basket better and this is is first year as a starter. Lin's upside looks good to me, he just needs to work on his consistency.
And getting to the foul line. THe other guys, when their shot isn't falling, they can draw the whistle. Add a scream at the first feel of contact or flail his arms faster than he does.
