bws94 wrote:
What is so difficult about Lin's role on Charlotte? It's very consistent.
I know we've agreed on a lot of things over the years across various boards but this is one area where I totally disagree with you on.
The problem is that Lin is being used as a stop-gap for Kemba and now Lamb, he's not really getting to play his game as he envisioned.
Lin leads the 2nd unit and then if he's not in foul trouble and is productive he stays in and plays with Kemba.
Does he really lead the 2nd unit? How much time does he get to actually play pg these days, that is when he's on the court without Kemba? I'd say from the start of the 2nd Q to the 7 minute mark which is 5 minutes per half. A 5 minute stretch isn't exactly leading, more like covering imo.
I know you like him playing alongside Kemba but I mainly see him parked in the corner to be the wingman or bailout guy if Kemba cannot create a play with the others.
He often finishes games due to his defense, experience, ability to draw fouls or execute plays, etc. If scoring is needed then Lamb is preferred.
The trend that we are seeing is that they're trying to work Lamb into a true 6th man role, unless he cools off his good play. I'm not saying that this is not justified but it is what it is, Lin's current role on this team is not as significant as you seem to think it is due to the team dynamics.
Kemba will always get over 30+ mins even if he stinks up the court (which I don't agree with), Lamb is gaining more minutes and coming into games earlier, while Lin enters later.
This translates to 18-28 minutes a game depending on what the matchups and games call for. That's consistent usage. Also consistent is he's allowed 2 fouls in the first half.
A 10 minute range between games is not considered consistent imo. His average minutes per game this year is 22.5. There were a half dozen games where it was close to 30; the first few games of the season and the Hairston injury games. Otherwise it'd be closer to 20. His average here is less than in any previous years, the numbers don't lie.
I think Lin could come in earlier in games but Cliff's rotations are pretty set. So at least he knows he's coming in somewhere around the 2 minute mark in the 1st/3rd and plays with Kemba a few minutes.
Lin coming in at a set time doesn't mean it's the most efficient for the team. If he could come in earlier, why doesn't he? Why does he have to the last sub? That's because Clifford is set in giving a select few guys on this team star minutes (Batum, Marvin, Kemba, now Lamb).
If Lin comes earlier, he could then potentially
lead the 2nd unit while Kemba gets a nice rest and doesn't have to play 35 mins/game. This is not happening because Clifford is set in his ways with Kemba and Lin is being used as a utility player.
Also, because of his combo guard versatility, whenever he's on the court with another pg; either Kemba or Roberts, Lin becomes a SG which is not exactly his preferred position to be playing his style of game.
Clifford looks like he's trying to build the Kemba/Lin back court and will use it when deciding to go small for sure. If not going so small, Kemba will be in, and Lin may be subbed for Lamb.
Whatever the case is, I don't agree with the minutes distribution and substitution patterns, as it's not the most efficient usage for the team. This team has good depth and balance but the distribution of minutes does not reflect it. When I gripe about this, it's not just about Lin but also for the betterment of the team.
