Super Lintendo: The Jeremy Lin Thread

[spaceballer]

One concern I have is the pace of the game, especially with Al in it.

Lin is great in transition and pushing the pace, but is the team around him able to handle those fast breaks? Even Omer Asik, who was huge, was a very mobile big in spurts, with the Rockets being a running team. Tyson Chandler and Ed Davis were fast getting up and down the court, too.

What are the prospects for this team running fast breaks? Or does Big Al prove to be too much of an anchor?

We werent able to push the pace last year with Al despite our other four starters being Kemba, Lance/Hendo, MKG, and Zeller. Lin should be able to find success doing so with the second unit though.

Well, could you just leave Al behind while the rest of the team speeds ahead of him?

Is Clifford more like D'Antoni or Thibs in terms of guard role regarding the trade off between defensive rebounding vs. transition fastbreaks?

D'Antoni had his guards ready to leak out on defense, ready to sprint down the court for fast breaks, weakening defensive coverage in favor of igniting the fast break. Thibs had five-man gang rebound to secured defensive rebounds, but that came at the cost of getting easy fast breaks points.

You don't really need the big man to run down the court, if Al can't, to ignite the fast break if your guard schemes on defensive rebounding allow more leaking out. There were 1 or 2 man fast breaks, where Tyson Chandler would secure the rebound, pass it to Lin, and Lin would throw a football pass down the full length of the court to a streaking Iman Shumpert or Landry Fields who was already at the other end because they leaked out on defense for a head start.

[Flip Murray]

One concern I have is the pace of the game, especially with Al in it.

Lin is great in transition and pushing the pace, but is the team around him able to handle those fast breaks? Even Omer Asik, who was huge, was a very mobile big in spurts, with the Rockets being a running team. Tyson Chandler and Ed Davis were fast getting up and down the court, too.

What are the prospects for this team running fast breaks? Or does Big Al prove to be too much of an anchor?

We werent able to push the pace last year with Al despite our other four starters being Kemba, Lance/Hendo, MKG, and Zeller. Lin should be able to find success doing so with the second unit though.

Well, could you just leave Al behind while the rest of the team speeds ahead of him?

Is Clifford more like D'Antoni or Thibs in terms of guard role regarding the trade off between defensive rebounding vs. transition fastbreaks?

D'Antoni had his guards ready to leak out on defense, ready to sprint down the court for fast breaks, weakening defensive coverage in favor of igniting the fast break. Thibs had five-man gang rebound to secured defensive rebounds, but that came at the cost getting of easy fast breaks points.

You don't really need the big man to run down the court, if Al can't, to ignite the fast break if your guard schemes on defense allow more leaking out. There were 1 or 2 man fast breaks, where Tyson Chandler would secure the rebound, pass it to Lin, and Lin would throw a football pass down the full length of the court to a streaking Iman Shumpert or Landry Fields who was already at the other end because they leaked out on defense for a head start.

let me put it this way for you - D'Antoni and Clifford don't belong in the same sentence.

[BlackOutBuzz]

We werent able to push the pace last year with Al despite our other four starters being Kemba, Lance/Hendo, MKG, and Zeller. Lin should be able to find success doing so with the second unit though.

Well, could you just leave Al behind while the rest of the team speeds ahead of him?

Is Clifford more like D'Antoni or Thibs in terms of guard role regarding the trade off between defensive rebounding vs. transition fastbreaks?

D'Antoni had his guards ready to leak out on defense, ready to sprint down the court for fast breaks, weakening defensive coverage in favor of igniting the fast break. Thibs had five-man gang rebound to secured defensive rebounds, but that came at the cost getting of easy fast breaks points.

You don't really need the big man to run down the court, if Al can't, to ignite the fast break if your guard schemes on defense allow more leaking out. There were 1 or 2 man fast breaks, where Tyson Chandler would secure the rebound, pass it to Lin, and Lin would throw a football pass down the full length of the court to a streaking Iman Shumpert or Landry Fields who was already at the other end because they leaked out on defense for a head start.

let me put it this way for you - D'Antoni and Clifford don't belong in the same sentence.

Actually he's more like D'Antoni in that regard. Generally MKG is allowed to go for offensive boards but everyone else is instructed to get back.

[Flip Murray]

Well, could you just leave Al behind while the rest of the team speeds ahead of him?

Is Clifford more like D'Antoni or Thibs in terms of guard role regarding the trade off between defensive rebounding vs. transition fastbreaks?

D'Antoni had his guards ready to leak out on defense, ready to sprint down the court for fast breaks, weakening defensive coverage in favor of igniting the fast break. Thibs had five-man gang rebound to secured defensive rebounds, but that came at the cost getting of easy fast breaks points.

You don't really need the big man to run down the court, if Al can't, to ignite the fast break if your guard schemes on defense allow more leaking out. There were 1 or 2 man fast breaks, where Tyson Chandler would secure the rebound, pass it to Lin, and Lin would throw a football pass down the full length of the court to a streaking Iman Shumpert or Landry Fields who was already at the other end because they leaked out on defense for a head start.

let me put it this way for you - D'Antoni and Clifford don't belong in the same sentence.

Actually he's more like D'Antoni in that regard. Generally MKG is allowed to go for offensive boards but everyone else is instructed to get back.

i think he's talking about the other side. MKG has his own set of rules though.

[catch20two]

:(
Al/Frank seems like a nightmare defensively, but they do make a lot more sense than on offense. Honestly, Im 100% ready to make Frank starting center. Cody/Frank is our best combo imo. I dont even care if we have to suffer through some rookie growing pains with Frank. We already know Al doesnt help us on either side of the ball.

I know you can't stand Al and I can't stand him on certain occasions and 99% of last season but if he lose 20-30 pounds and get back to his 13-14 self then I'm gonna love him this season all the way to a top 5 spot in the East.

I'm not worried about our defense as long as MKG is healthy and playing. You take MKG out the lineup, bring back Biz and start him with Zeller our defense won't be top 10.

Any word on the coach's off-season instructions for Al or if he's actually going to lose that weight this summer?

I heard Cho or Clifford mention that Al is on a strict diet and weight loss regime this offseason. If I find it I'll post it or bump it in the Fat Albatross thread.

[Braggins]

One concern I have is the pace of the game, especially with Al in it.

Lin is great in transition and pushing the pace, but is the team around him able to handle those fast breaks? Even Omer Asik, who was huge, was a very mobile big in spurts, with the Rockets being a running team. Tyson Chandler and Ed Davis were fast getting up and down the court, too.

What are the prospects for this team running fast breaks? Or does Big Al prove to be too much of an anchor?

We werent able to push the pace last year with Al despite our other four starters being Kemba, Lance/Hendo, MKG, and Zeller. Lin should be able to find success doing so with the second unit though.

Well, could you just leave Al behind while the rest of the team speeds ahead of him?

Is Clifford more like D'Antoni or Thibs in terms of guard role regarding the trade off between defensive rebounding vs. transition fastbreaks?

D'Antoni had his guards ready to leak out on defense, ready to sprint down the court for fast breaks, weakening defensive coverage in favor of igniting the fast break. Thibs had five-man gang rebound to secured defensive rebounds, but that came at the cost of getting easy fast breaks points.

You don't really need the big man to run down the court, if Al can't, to ignite the fast break if your guard schemes on defensive rebounding allow more leaking out. There were 1 or 2 man fast breaks, where Tyson Chandler would secure the rebound, pass it to Lin, and Lin would throw a football pass down the full length of the court to a streaking Iman Shumpert or Landry Fields who was already at the other end because they leaked out on defense for a head start.

Cliff is super anal about defensive rebounding, which also might be a limiting factor in our transition game. Al certainly doesn't help. When a guy on your team is the last man down the court every single possession it means less situations where we have numbers.

[yosemiteben]

We have been the best defensive rebounding team by a significant margin two years in a row. That is definitely a significant part of Cliff's MO.

[fatlever]

Gang rebound on the defensive end, get the hell back and dont go after offensive rebounds on the offensive end (with the exception of MKG). Cliff is very clear on those things.

[Mystical Apples]

We have been the best defensive rebounding team by a significant margin two years in a row. That is definitely a significant part of Cliff's MO.

It also explains the lack of easy transition buckets

[spaceballer]

Sounds like Lin's ability to push the pace and run the fast break for easy transition points will be useless here. Fortunately, he's a good PnR player in a half-court set, assuming any of the bigs are able to set screens and run the PnR with him. Though the quality of the bigs sounds a bit iffy if they can't set screens and do that.

[ChokeFasncists]

I can see the lineup of:

Walker
Lin
Batum
MKG/Kaminsky/Zeller
Al

being used alot, with the PF spot depending on matchups.

It would have been different if MKG is 3&D. I think Batum is still gonna play the majority of his minutes at the 3. Lamb is totally unproven. I think Lin will be playing the 2 quite a bit. Walker, Lin and Batum would provide a lot of play-making, should be real fun to watch!

[catch20two]

Another thing about Lin. He don't get no calls and get abused by defenders. So get used to it. We're already used to MKG and Kemba not getting calls so it'll be okay.

[BigSlam]

The biggest shame about the Lin signing is that Biyombo doesn't get to play with him.

Kemba is such a terrible P&R point guard and no one set better screens on our roster than Biyombo. I bet he would have got some great looks setting those hard picks, rolling strong to the basket and exploding to the rim in motion (like he finally started doing) playing with Lin.

Maybe MKG will benefit a little playing with a competent P&R point guard? It would do wonders for him if he could get 4-8 easy points a game playing with Lin. I'd love to see MKG setting some picks and rolling this season.

[Mystical Apples]

The biggest shame about the Lin signing is that Biyombo doesn't get to play with him.

Maybe MKG will benefit a little playing with a competent P&R point guard? It would do wonders for him if he could get 4-8 easy points a game playing with Lin. I'd love to see MKG setting some picks and rolling this season.

MKG would be most effective if he presents a threat from the corner three.

[yasuhara2241]

The biggest shame about the Lin signing is that Biyombo doesn't get to play with him.

Kemba is such a terrible P&R point guard and no one set better screens on our roster than Biyombo. I bet he would have got some great looks setting those hard picks, rolling strong to the basket and exploding to the rim in motion (like he finally started doing) playing with Lin.

Maybe MKG will benefit a little playing with a competent P&R point guard? It would do wonders for him if he could get 4-8 easy points a game playing with Lin. I'd love to see MKG setting some picks and rolling this season.

I don't think I have ever seen MKG be involved in a P&R scenario. If I have it was used very little. I guess it's because the defender is always going to drop bc of little to no respect for a pick and pop MKG jumper. BUT, I would love to see it! I think that MKG is underutilized on offense and hope he has a bigger role this year.

I also agree about your Biyombo comment, although I truly think the player that is going to benefit most from Lin are our jump shooters. His driving and dishing will give plenty of shots to Batum, Frank, Hawes, Lamb, Williams, etc. Damn we got shooters on our team!!

[LofJ]

Kemba, MKG, and Zeller are all beasts in transition. We just have to move Al to the bench and play small with Zeller at Center and MKG at PF to take advantage of Lin's transition game. People who have never watched us play will be really surprised by how fast Zeller and MKG are in the open court.

[Flip Murray]

Sounds like Lin's ability to push the pace and run the fast break for easy transition points will be useless here. Fortunately, he's a good PnR player in a half-court set, assuming any of the bigs are able to set screens and run the PnR with him. Though the quality of the bigs sounds a bit iffy if they can't set screens and do that.

I don't think it will be completely useless. There's plenty of possible lineups he can use that in. If he's ever in the game without Al it shouldn't be an issue at all.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

It's not so much about Al as it is about Cliff being from the Thib's school of thought about defensive rebounding. Cliff could have a team of fast break specialists and he would still prioritize getting those defensive boards. He gives up some fast break points to do that, but feels that the trade off is worth it.

Honestly I suspect that his way is probably the "correct" way to do it if you run the odds, but both players and fans like the fast break a lot more.

[amcoolio]

To the Lin fans: You guys should be excited for Lin being in the super sub 6th-man role. I think its a great fit for him and the Hornets' biggest problem the past few years is scoring off the bench. With Lin and Frank running the PnR off the bench, its going to be very hard to stop that for opposing 2nd units even with a rookie Frank Kaminsky. Lin and Frank are a terrific combo and our bench is much much better than last season if Jeremy Lamb shows up and Daniels stays hot from 3.

As for minutes, Lin will get plenty. With this new talent, Clifford should be rolling with Kemba/Lin/Batum/MKG/Lamb as the wings, and Zeller/Jefferson/Kaminsky/Hawes as the bigs. There are plenty of minutes to go around.

Players who don't fit now though and are dead money: Marvin Williams, Brian Roberts, PJ Hairston. Those need to be replaced with a rim protector big in case Al goes down, Daniels can be the 3rd PG/6th wing, and Jeff Taylor can be the 12th man in case of MKG injury.

[catch20two]

Players who don't fit now though and are dead money: Marvin Williams, Brian Roberts, PJ Hairston.

Ha! The entire 2014 offseason minus the castaways. Lol. That was a pitiful offseason for how much money we had. Over 20 mil in cap space and two 1st rounders. Smh