Another very pedestrian game; he'd be great leading a bench unit of Swaggy, Clarkson, Davis, and Kelly. I think he's just better served off the bench at this point in his career.
The paint was always clogged while he went in to attack with Asik and Davis. On defense I feel like he had no help, the rotation was bad all the way around. In order for Lin to be effective, everyone else has to be clicking and working as well. Hes not the type thats going to be able to dominate on every play.
Second half defense cost us the game, I honestly noticed it all started with Boozers defense... That just effed up everything, I also think the team was a little tired and once they went down some they were still effected by all the close losses weve had recently.
I didn't mean to insinuate that...he wasn't the reason we lost the game. I'll rephrase what I said realizing he's playing with Boozer and Johnson; I think he's better served playing with shooters/athletes in the open floor than I think he has been in the half court where he's been limited, IMO.
He's giving us 13&5 on 44-39-91% shooting. I honestly think that if just one or two more times per game he took it to the defense and looked to kick or get to the rim, things would be much better. Then again, the problem is that he's our best 3pt shooter - so he can't create the space himself. Someone has to knock down shots and free up the paint a bit for him.
The paint was clogged all night if I can remember by Asiks and Davis' beasty presence though. There was nowhere to really go if he drove in. I recall him trying to dish off but than the Pelicans defense was all over it, if he would try to shoot it hed get stuffed. He has to get better at after doing the pick and roll, if pass isnt there to dish off to the big man, beat his man for a quick jumper or a Tony Parker/Steve Nash type running floater.
We need to get Kelly healthy and add a shooter - at either the PG or SF spot. I wouldn't even be opposed to adding a three-shooting PF/C at this point.
I guess there's some hope that: Ellington will be back soon. Young will add shooting at the wing. Kelly will add shooting at PF. That will be a few steps in the right direction.
Actually, for a little stretch there, Lin, Kelly, & Clarkson performed okay in the 2nd quarter against the NOH bench...I know the NOH bench is nothing special, but I did see some good things. Lin, Clarkson, Young, Kelly, Davis, I want to see...multiple ball handlers, guys that could create their own shot, guys that can catch and shoot, they could run PNR with Lin/Davis, they have the potential to play decent team defense, get out in transition creating easy buckets, etc. With Young coming back as well, that will reduce the time with Wesley on the wing playing SF; once Young gets the rust off, I'd imagine he'd be playing more at the SF and finishing a lot of those games with Kobe & Lin. That will help Lin & Kobe; another guy who could create his own shot with the shot clock winding down, he could catch and shoot, create his own shot, and it will help the offense immensely hopefully resulting in increasing our chances to win games.
I know its early but thus far what I have seen out of Lin this season I dont want him back. Maybe... as a 2nd string PG but his contract better be super friendly. I hope he proves me wrong and shows some more promise as the year goes on.
Byran gets blamed a little too much for the offense if this is indeed one of our biggest problems. Sure he needs to get Kobe the ball in the low post more, but when its all said and done the talent level isn't on par with contending teams.
15/10 for Lin tonight - but most importantly he was aggressive and created. Hope he can build off this.
He was aggressive but he played smart and under control, didn't turn the ball over, and his shot was falling. Hopefully he's finding his rhythm out there now. Great game from him tonight!
I don't know what we can do to force him to play aggressively every night. He really doesn't seem to understand how to stay in that mindset. Attacking the basket means collapsing the defense. He needs to do it every single game.
