Roy Tarpley wrote:I'm at a loss for why Lin has been passive offensively. He's usually in one of the following situations:
1. Playing SG with Kemba or Roberts or even Batum playing the point. In this case, Lin tends to hide in a corner 3 position (either to create space in the middle or set up as a 3pt shooter, but it seems like the ball never gets to him). He becomes a non-factor because Kemba and Batum aren't driving and dishing to him, but instead taking 20ft jumpers. Sometimes, at the end of the shot clock, the ball will make its way to Lin but then he has to throw up a last second heave.
2. Playing PG with Zeller, Hawes, Lamb, Williams. Here, he usually starts at the top and either tries to get a screen from Hawes (which is a terrible option because, after the screen, Hawes is left open but you don't want him to take a 20ft jumper) or he waits until another player gets open, say on a curl. Other than passing to Lamb, Lin has limited options because Hawes is terrible and Zeller can't hit a mid-range shot either. Lin either has to (1) pass to Lamb, which has been working recently because Lamb's shot has been good, (2) pass to Hawes or Zeller, which is a turnover or missed shot waiting to happen, or (3) prod and penetrate to find opportunities. I prefer this last option but again, he doesn't have offensive options to turn to. The opposing team collapses on him but the other players don't move to open spaces.
This is the best post I ever seen regarding Lin's problems. Lin has not got much chance to play his style effectively. It is not about if he should start, or his minutes. It is his role and who he plays with defines his effectiveness.
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