Lin - Starter or Sixth Man?

[Mr. E]

Please approach this question from the standpoint of "what is best for the success of the HOUSTON ROCKETS."


McHale tinkered with the lineup a bit, opting to start Beverley and bring Lin in off of the bench in a Sixth Man role, being the leader of that second unit.

I think that we'll see other lineup experiments this preseason, but as much as I want to pencil in Lin as the starter, I have to admit that I'm pretty intrigued by using the guy to set up what could basically be a "Super Second Team."

A lineup of Lin/Casspi/Garcia/Motie/Asik could run & shoot teams out of the building while Harden, Parsons & Dwight get some rest.

Of course, we know that we will not just see these units switched out. There will be a lot of different lineups used by the Rockets this season. We will see Dwight & Omer on the court at the same time; we will see Lin & Beverley on the court at the same time; etc.

I think that the biggest positive that could happen with Super Sixth Man Lin is that he would be the #1 option to drive the offense when he is on the court. Right now in the starting lineup he may only be the 4th option behind Harden, Howard & Parsons. Then again, I want to see Lin & Dwight get more time working together on the court (that pick & roll could be sick!).

What is the best role for Jeremy Lin to help the Houston Rockets succeed?

[MKL]

Let them fight it out in the preseason.

Like I said in the other thread, Both Lin and Beverley will be productive in their roles as starter or bench player.

If Jeremy gets the bench role, trade him in the off season. That's how it usually works out.

You also have to consider the 10 ton elephant in the room, that is Harden and Howard playing together. Harden is the one with the reputation of the ball hog. Right now we're doing slight of hand with Lin/Beverley.

Is McHale going to use Lin as whipping boy again? We'll have to see.

[6_Rings]

clearly Lin has better numbers than the starters. didn't watch the game (yet), will check the replay tonight before voting.

I want Lin to start but obviously he's a supersub.

[Zubby]

I liked the Bev/Lin combo, Lin had trouble guarding SGs tho, and I was surprised Bev did very well on the SGs when they switched, one play Paul George got the ball with Beverley on him and I thought oh damn George is about to rise over him... George passed it off, he didn't want any of Beverley.


Brooks/Lin combo looked really good too.

I forget who but yesterday someone here was talking about how similar Lin/Bev are and I agree with that, except Bev's mentality (safe passes, safe decisions) fits better with the starters and Lin mentality (aggressive, looks to score, risk taker) is better off the bench.



I tire of the Bev/Lin discussion... when are we gonna move to the White LBJ/Casspi who should start discussion?

[Zubby]

Let them fight it out in the preseason.

Like I said in the other thread, Both Lin and Beverley will be productive in their roles as starter or bench player.

If Jeremy gets the bench role, trade him in the off season. That's how it usually works out.

Change of tone from a couple days, I see THE Bev is winning you over

Er'body loves the Bev!


But yea If Lin doesn't distance himself from Bev over the year he might be traded. Unless Rockets win it all, then surely Morey wouldn't break it up, right?

[Mr. E]

I tire of the Bev/Lin discussion... when are we gonna move to the White LBJ/Casspi who should start discussion?

Board Warning Issued - Violation: Questioning White LBJ's Starting Role, even in jest, is totally not permitted.

[MaxRider]

Lin will start
McHale is just experiencing things
which 5 on the floor is effective and he will decide on the rotaion
in regular season you won't see Howard/Harden to play 20 mpg

sorry i didn't wake up 6:30 in the morning to watch this
well i did get up at 6:30 just i can't keep my eye open
i did watch most of the 2nd half

after watching one and 2/5 of the game
-Motiejunas is better coming off the bench, where he has more space to work rather than just a spot up shooter
-Jones can do all the little stuff (better slasher) playing with Howard/Harden/Parsons/Lin
-Beverley cannot run the offense, if he's on the court either Harden or Lin need to be playing, but i see Beverly is better playing with Harden and Brooks is better playing with Lin
this is not saying Harden/Lin are not effective
it's saying when Beverley is playing it's best to have Harden as well
if Brooks is playing, it is better Lin is playing too
need to see more Lin/Beverley in the backcourt


i have no doubt Casspi will make the team
not so sure about Williams still haven't see him play
Covington is playing limited min not much to see
resting Parsons in next Taiwan game will be bad because they love him too
i hope when they return McHale will rest Parsons/Casspi/Harden for a game or two and see what Covington/Williams/Brewer can do

[LarsV8]

I think today showed quite a bit. We played one of the best defensive squads in the league and blew them out. Beverley was efficient and focused on defending Hill and George, clearly making them very uncomfortable to start out the game. Put up 12pts/5rbs/4asts/1steal in 26 minutes on just five shots. Lin dominated the ball with the bench and was able to drop 14/6/5 on just 6 shots, with a good running mate in Motiejunas.

This is a good experiment, because we can see how well the reverse happens next game vs. the same team.

[BaYBaller]

I don't believe it will make much of a difference either way. The only strong feeling I have is that either Harden or Lin should be on the floor at all times, and that is sort of dependent on how Harden's minutes are going to be managed this year. Last year he'd play the whole first quarter, and in that case Lin could start, get rested at the end of the first and be back in at the start of the 2nd qtr. I really hope they can reduce Harden's workload this year so that may require some shifting of other player's minutes around.

[MKL]

Let them fight it out in the preseason.

Like I said in the other thread, Both Lin and Beverley will be productive in their roles as starter or bench player.

If Jeremy gets the bench role, trade him in the off season. That's how it usually works out.

Change of tone from a couple days, I see THE Bev is winning you over

Er'body loves the Bev!


But yea If Lin doesn't distance himself from Bev over the year he might be traded. Unless Rockets win it all, then surely Morey wouldn't break it up, right?

There is a line, between being a homer and being realistic. I'm talking about myself and being a fan.

Fact is that Both Lin and Beverley are playing well. It's like picking cake or icescream now.

But like you said, Beverley only has to play as well as Lin. People are going to jump on this. They expect more of Lin, he always have to out perform expectations with less. Just like with all the trade threads, people pick on all of Lin's faults, but they expect a near all-star caliber player in return if there is a trade.

There is a lot of talk of trading Asik too. BSPN and NBATV is talking about this every day. Much less than the Lin/Beverley deal. We can use this as an example of how the management treats Lin in the near future.

And finally, Dwight had a bad day this game. 9pts 3 reb, 4 TO and 5 fouls in 24 minutes. This elephant might come and blindside us while we're nitpicking about Lin/Beverley.

[adrenaLINe]

I saw this same question in Clutchfans...

and it turned into a LOFs are this and that and dont want to see their man demoted...


I just dont see it... I think most Lin fans dont care if he plays 2nd string or not... they care more if Lin gets to play the style he is comfortable playing...

I am sure Lin would be fine coming off the bench if it means helping the team...

and I think most people who are complaining about Lin coming off the bench are the type not happy with the team paying him 5 million bucks to come off the bench...

as they view him as overpaid in the first place...

[MaxRider]

I saw this same question in Clutchfans...

and it turned into a LOFs are this and that and dont want to see their man demoted...


I just dont see it... I think most Lin fans dont care if he plays 2nd string or not... they care more if Lin gets to play the style he is comfortable playing...

I am sure Lin would be fine coming off the bench if it means helping the team...

and I think most people who are complaining about Lin coming off the bench are the type not happy with the team paying him 5 million bucks to come off the bench...

as they view him as overpaid in the first place...

Lin is making 8.3 million lol

[moofs]

McHale is just experiencing things

Aren't we all?

[MKL]

I saw this same question in Clutchfans...

and it turned into a LOFs are this and that and dont want to see their man demoted...


I just dont see it... I think most Lin fans dont care if he plays 2nd string or not... they care more if Lin gets to play the style he is comfortable playing...

I am sure Lin would be fine coming off the bench if it means helping the team...

and I think most people who are complaining about Lin coming off the bench are the type not happy with the team paying him 5 million bucks to come off the bench...

as they view him as overpaid in the first place...

Almost all players that gets demoted get traded soon after. Also, Lin is getting paid starter Money. $8mil for a bench player is too high. This is also why a lot of haters try to push Lin to the bench. Hoping for the momentum shift and trade.

[adrenaLINe]

8 million!

oops sorry, just a casual fan these days...

Lin brought me back to the NBA...

[madbucky]

It's a tough question. On one hand, it's good to stagger his minutes with Harden. On the other hand, it's good to pair him with Howard. How about best of both worlds and make Harden the 6th man?

[cold_cowboy]

does mchale have the balls to demote lin? my guess is no. there's not going to be any changes in the starting lineup other than the 4 spot for the entirety of the season (barring injuries of course).

[Zubby]

Let them fight it out in the preseason.

Like I said in the other thread, Both Lin and Beverley will be productive in their roles as starter or bench player.

If Jeremy gets the bench role, trade him in the off season. That's how it usually works out.

Change of tone from a couple days, I see THE Bev is winning you over

Er'body loves the Bev!


But yea If Lin doesn't distance himself from Bev over the year he might be traded. Unless Rockets win it all, then surely Morey wouldn't break it up, right?

There is a line, between being a homer and being realistic. I'm talking about myself and being a fan.

Fact is that Both Lin and Beverley are playing well. It's like picking cake or icescream now.

But like you said, Beverley only has to play as well as Lin. People are going to jump on this. They expect more of Lin, he always have to out perform expectations with less. Just like with all the trade threads, people pick on all of Lin's faults, but they expect a near all-star caliber player in return if there is a trade.

There is a lot of talk of trading Asik too. BSPN and NBATV is talking about this every day. Much less than the Lin/Beverley deal. We can use this as an example of how the management treats Lin in the near future.

And finally, Dwight had a bad day this game. 9pts 3 reb, 4 TO and 5 fouls in 24 minutes. This elephant might come and blindside us while we're nitpicking about Lin/Beverley.

People will expect more because like people have already mentioned Lin is paid a lot more than Bev. If he isn't playing at a much higher level Morey will probably package him out with one of the many assets the team has(Asik, Dmo, Smith, Jones). It's what happens in sports, right?

Yea I'm sure Dwight will blindside us, with awesomeness. Dwight played much better than his numbers suggest. And he always has trouble with guys of that size, just like in the days of Yao.

Dwight is far and a away the best player on the team I don't think u have to worry much about him.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums mobile app

[BaYBaller]

I saw this same question in Clutchfans...

and it turned into a LOFs are this and that and dont want to see their man demoted...


I just dont see it... I think most Lin fans dont care if he plays 2nd string or not... they care more if Lin gets to play the style he is comfortable playing...

I am sure Lin would be fine coming off the bench if it means helping the team...

and I think most people who are complaining about Lin coming off the bench are the type not happy with the team paying him 5 million bucks to come off the bench...

as they view him as overpaid in the first place...

Almost all players that gets demoted get traded soon after. Also, Lin is getting paid starter Money. $8mil for a bench player is too high. This is also why a lot of haters try to push Lin to the bench. Hoping for the momentum shift and trade.

I highly doubt Lin gets traded this year because:
1) regardless of who starts we still need a back-up PG, and Brooks is a shell of his former self and our other PG is a rookie, so thus you would need to trade PG for PG to fill that void, which is not very common at all
2) you always have to frame trades in the context of what both teams want, and it is clear Morey structured the team's salary so that a lot of salary comes off the books the offseason after next, as this will allow you to reboot the team around Howard/Harden if necessary (such as adding another max player)
3) The probability of Lin being traded rises dramatically next season due to his contract next year being expiring, and thus the common scenario of a salary dump becomes plausible if the PG depth is no longer an issue (say if Cannan blossoms or something), though even then that seems unlikely as at the end of the day Lin is not a bad player by any stretch of the imagination, and it is far more likely Morey just lets his and Asik's contract run its course and try to obtain another max-level player (or package both for a max lv player if possible)

[MaxRider]

people expect too much from Lin bacause of Linsanity
he is still great dishing the ball, attack the basket, and running play
you don't want Harden to burn his energy in 1st quarter by trying to set up play for everyone
ideally the job should be split between Lin and Harden in 1st quarter
if the game is close at the end you want Harden to carry the offensive load and Beverley on defense
i expect Howard to score more in the 1st half
hopefully getting opponent in foul trouble
2nd half will be more Harden
if defense is needed then Beverley will finish the game off
don't forget McHale like to go small
you can play both Lin and Beverley in the backcourt and have Parson and Harden at the forward spot