So how long before McHale benches Beverley?

[pr0wler]

With Aaron Brooks returning to 2009-2010 form, and Lin having his most consistent season yet...where does that leave Beverly in the rotation? Sure, he's the best defender of the three by far but how many 2-7, 2 assists nights can there be before his role is diminished? He's been pretty bad offensively this season, both Lin and Brooks have been attacking exponentially better. And it's not like he's Chris Paul in terms of setting up others either. He doesn't really do much besides shoot the open 3 and maybe the occasional drive here and there (usually on the catch set up by his teammates).

I'm not saying he doesn't have his use, especially against other elite PG's...but is 30 MPG really justified when our other PG's are so gangster?

[princeton_o]

The rockets, in particular the coaching staff, are very, very heavily invested in Beverley. Not from a financial perspective obviously, but from an ego perspective. This is supposed to be mchale's defining strategic move: bringing in a min. contract player to outplay and outperform a 'poison pill' high profile signing.

Mchale and staff wanted to do this for a long time, probably just a few games after Beverley signed. They rolled out his debut as a starter gradually, to lessen the shock of course.

My prediction is that they will never reverse course, due to their ego investment. As long as the rockets are winning, beverley remains a starter.

[MaxRider]

when?
in 1st quarter with about 5+ min left
that's the time he always bench beverley and lin will come in

[cw3k]

I doubt it. Beverley is the anyone but Lin guy. The was original Douglas, but he got traded and Beverley is promoted to that role. Unless Beverley get traded, Brooks will not be the anyone but Lin guy.

[Hank7]

The rockets, in particular the coaching staff, are very, very heavily invested in Beverley. Not from a financial perspective obviously, but from an ego perspective. This is supposed to be mchale's defining strategic move: bringing in a min. contract player to outplay and outperform a 'poison pill' high profile signing.

Mchale and staff wanted to do this for a long time, probably just a few games after Beverley signed. They rolled out his debut as a starter gradually, to lessen the shock of course.

My prediction is that they will never reverse course, due to their ego investment. As long as the rockets are winning, beverley remains a starter.

+1 but I think he starts even if the Rocks lose. I like PB's will to play hard, but he's not a starter.

Funny how Bill Matt and Clyde praise every little thing Bev does (not Murphy) and make such a big deal of Lin's TO's (Harden leads the Rocks in TO's but no complaints from them). AB plays 30-min/game with 9 pts 2 ass 40% shooting. Last night, he was playing against a guy we cut in Levingston. If he's so great on D, why does Lin have more steals? Lowry and Dragic are happier where they are, Lin will have the same story in two-years. Funny, I think Harden was underappreciated in OKC and had to come to Houston to reach his potential. Lin will have to do the same.

[zapatasblood]

With the starting of Captain Bev as a ego move to destroy Lin's career and AB shooting lights out on his minimum contract I just can't see Lin getting real minutes outside of garbage time.

[spaceballer]

Not going to happen, all coaches have players they trust and favor, and players they don't believe in as much. It's their job to make those player talent evaluations and assessments, whether correct or otherwise. Morey had to trade Patterson and Morris in order to force McHale to play DMo and Jones.

[Nebula1]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Rotations are looking pretty good lately, including Bev starting and Brooks from the bench.

[LarsV8]

Beverley has been playing great.

His defense is lights out.

[Hank7]

Beverley has been playing great.

His defense is lights out.

I like the way he fights through those picks and runs over the guys, and don't forget on offense when he takes it to the basket with his eyes closed.

[Zubby]

With the starting of Captain Bev as a ego move to destroy Lin's career and AB shooting lights out on his minimum contract I just can't see Lin getting real minutes outside of garbage time.

I didn't want to believe it, but its blatantly obvious now. We always knew McHale err McFail was a puppet but this is bigger than basketball.

McFail is following orders from the Illuminati, they have gotten involved to destroy everything Lin stands for. Because Lin has been a beckon of light for the world. Linsanity was not planned and the Illuminati and IMF cannot control it. Thus they forced puppet McFail to play anyone over him, in return, they granted the organization Dwight Howard. All those "signs" Dwight talked about in the summer were Illuminati planned.

But have faith if there is one person who can defeat such odds it is JLin!

[zapatasblood]

Not going to happen, all coaches have players they trust and favor, and players they don't believe in as much. It's their job to make those player talent evaluations and assessments, whether correct or otherwise. Morey had to trade Patterson and Morris in order to force McHale to play DMo and Jones.

That was cap clearing for the summer of Dwightmare

[Guy986]

I cant think of anything clever to say so im gonna answer with a serious post. Beverly wont get benched because what he brings to the team is so different than what harden, lin, brooks provide.

The only way he'll get benched is if he stop playing with energy. The day he stop playing defense, the day he cease to be an annoying pest is the day he is removed from the rotation.

[texasholdem]

NBA just needs to move to 6 on 6 basketball with 4 pointers beyond the half court line.

[KungFuJoe]

Beverley is around to cover up Harden's lack of defense. That is pretty much his ONLY purpose.

[Dudedude88]

Beverley is around to cover up Harden's lack of defense. That is pretty much his ONLY purpose.

He's a systems PG who knows how to execute plays and do what is required to win. His clutch rebounding is really important imo. He gang rebounds when we needed the most. He's always fighting for those rebounds and opposing teams give up cheap fouls on him. They probably foul Bev 2-3 times per game off of the rebounds.

I don't think Bev's going to be benched. Aaron Brooks is like a lite version of Jeremey Lin.
Aaron brooks defense < Lin's defense. Jeremey Lin can guard mid-sized shooting guards very well. He only has problem defending atheletic 6'7"++ guards Aaron brooks can only be a decent defender against 6'0-6'2 guards. Depending on the match up, Lin could be replaced if he's having a poor game with Aaron brooks. 4 out of 5 times my money is on Lin being the superior offensive player though.

Teams are going to start scouting Aaron brooks now. He's going to have less of an impact on the perimeter in the next 2 weeks.

[13th Man]

I like Beverley but his significance as the starter is grossly overrated. Just looked at the stats between Bev and Lin this season, while they both avg. 30 min/g Lin has better numbers in every statistical category except for offensive rebounding. Lin even has higher numbers in categories where Bev is supposed to better at like 3pt % and steals, defensive rebounding they are tied. The difference in their defensive abilities is exaggerated while on offense Lin is clearly ahead in points and assists.

With this said, the answer to the OP's question is never while McHale is the coach. Lin has only been getting fair minutes this year thus far because he started off playing very well but as soon as he cooled off a bit, we saw the leash being quickly shortened again. Beverley's minutes seem to be increasing every game while Lin's is decreasing. Lin running the 2nd unit is also a myth, 95% of the time that he's in, either Harden or Bev are on the court so he plays SG while Harden and Bev are the primary ball handlers. Lin is not a 6th man, he's a backup pg on this team.

I'm not complaining loudly since the Rockets are winning but it is what it is. I actually caved into the "better fit" theory for a bit but should've stuck to my hunch. The underlying motive always rises to the surface over time, It has all to do with the coach's preference simple as that.

[MKL]

This is Beverley's time to shine. Brooks did not get the memo. I'm looking forward to watching Beverley play tonight. I believe every quality athlete need some time to "be the guy".

[inquisitive]

all i can say is that Bev complements Lin...like Yin and Yang with the icing on the cake named Brooks though Brooks was bad tonite.

[gcates]

While I would prefer Lin as the starter as I think he is the better player, I will say that Beverly's impact on the game > his stat line.