TripleThreat wrote:I think folks are not factoring in David Stern here.

Jeremy Lin is appealing and marketable to an entire segment of potential fans that do not normally follow basketball. The President is talking about Jeremy Lin. The women on The View are talking about Jeremy Lin. People in college who don't follow the pro game are following Jeremy Lin. Having a young black wannabe rapper thug life self promoting entitled diva chucker is a dime a dozen in the NBA. That draws the youth crowd and the urban crowd. Both of which are not the high dollar in their prime earning year demographic like Lin can draw. And Lin draws female viewers, which Stern has always coveted. Not because he's handsome like Tom Brady, but because he makes the game wholesome and accessible as a role model as a try hard very religious grinder who is the perpetual underdog. Finally soccer moms have an NBA star that they can see as a role model for their kids that won't make them think their kids are going to stab some other kid for their sneakers because of some rap song by some ball stopping chucker.

It's not just about Dolan, it's also about Time Warner and David Stern and ESPN and all the corporate sponsors and advertisers who want that massive Asian market and viewership. Woodson benching Lin will look like a pure hatchet job from a coach killing Melo. And if the Knicks lose, which they will with a Melo/STAT centric team ( because they were losing with those dudes WITHOUT Lin), then the PR storm will destroy them all. Melo and Woodson will be seen as jilted bullies and jealous and short sighted.

David Stern cannot make Team X play certain Player Y. David Stern can instruct his refs to NEVER give Team X a call again unless Player Y is on the court. Melo is a lethal scorer. He's not so lethal when the word gets out to other teams that when Lin is not on the floor, you can elbow Melo in the face with no call. Also when Lin isn't on the floor, the other team shoots 40 more free throws. There's a reason Latrell Sprewell got blackballed out of the league. He still had a little bit of juice left in him. But Stern hated him. Hated him for promoting the press that NBA players were nothing but violent arrogant selfish out of control thugs ( him choking his own coach) No team that would sign Spree would ever get a call again. This is part of the reason why Iverson and Marbury also have a hard time finding even a 12th man role on a team, even with their sharp decline and team cancer concerns. Stern hates them as well, and those players no longer offer the marketing offset to put up with their crap. Woodson benches Lin, that's costing a lot of people a lot of money. Every regular foul against Melo then is not called. Every flagrant 1 is now a regular foul. Half of every flagrant 2s are not called, the other 25 percent are called flagrant 1s, the rest are called normal fouls. Melo wants to push Lin out, he better be prepared for the beating of his life.

This doesn't even factor in the press. Where the NY press and international press will destroy Woodson and Melo. Melo as a brand will be worth the spit from your mouth. Every negative thing about the American black culture felt by other races and cultures will be held full bear against him. Where Woodson and Melo might get this wrong is thinking playing Lin and having him do poorly will justify benching him, except thats not how the media will take it. The media was jumping on Melo when the TEAM WAS WINNING. What do you think will happen if Lin is benched and the team is losing? It will look like Woodson is bending to Melo's will to hatchet job Lin to protect Melo's status as Alpha Dog in the press. It will look like two black selfish arrogant bullies who don't give lick about winning taking a dump on the hard working honest humble underdog Asian kid who did nothing but say praise for his team mates and God.

The only way this hatchet job works is if the Knicks start winning with Melo doing the heavy lifting in isolation with STAT as a big part of the process. Except they CAN'T WIN like that. Melo has poor shot selection. He has some poor BB IQ that impacts his offense and defense. He's not a good defensive player. STAT is in sharp decline. Both are chewing up cap space to be a top heavy team, that means in the future, after Melo drives out Lin, it will be two aging no defense chuckers along with a bunch of minimum salary guys or vets who are on their last legs that contenders didn't want with no draft picks, young assets or cap space to reload or rearm.

Nothing Melo can do will stop Lin's real power. The love of the fans and the love of the people. You win the crowd, you win your freedom. People love an underdog. There is genuine positive sentiment about Asians in this country from other races and cultures. There are negative stereotypes sure, but there is also the pull yourself up by your bootstraps, no conflict, hardworking stereotypes as well. If Lin plays well, it's because he's overcome even Melo's hatchet job. If he doesn't, it's because Melo's jealous and Melo's fist is so far up Woodson's backside that Atlanta Mike is now a finger puppet and both are looking to job him.

Lin might be a Christian, but do you think he will want to stay in this dysfunction? He will bide his two years, where he can develop his overall game. Then go to a team that appreciates him and his leadership and his talent and the literal printing press of cash that comes with him. Then even Knicks fans will still root for Lin, even on another team, because they'll remember that one moment when the Knicks played team ball and won, all because of an underdog kid who just would not back down. Lin will be loved because even if he's not a Knick, he's still all New York in his heart.

There is no way out for Melo here. He is completely screwed.

Long but a good read. As good a read as anything else you see on the blogs or newspaper sites.

I do not agree with all points but it's an excellent, quality post.

rp wrote:

Anji wrote:Woodson also told Lin to "continue to initiate the offense, be aggressive. He’s said there’s going to be a lot of spacing and still the opportunity to play pick-and-roll. But at the same time we’re going to utilize the post as well."

Mike Bibby, who played for Woodson in Atlanta, said Woodson's offense is 'totally different' from D'Antoni's. A point guard's role in Woodson's offense, Bibby says, is to get the ball in the hands of the team's scorers.

"Just make plays and knock down shots," he said.
Lin had been relied upon to score more under D'Antoni. He took 14 shots per game when D'Antoni was coaching.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/14496/woodson-lins-my-starter

The only issue I see on Woodson comments is maybe the expectation is for Lin to take jump shots more and not be aggresive driving down the lane.

He had Teague and Jamal Crawford driving the lane. I think it's more that driving the lane has never ever been in Bibby's arsenal, even in his Kings days. He's always been a pull-up PG.

crzymdups wrote:

rp wrote:

Anji wrote:Woodson also told Lin to "continue to initiate the offense, be aggressive. He’s said there’s going to be a lot of spacing and still the opportunity to play pick-and-roll. But at the same time we’re going to utilize the post as well."

Mike Bibby, who played for Woodson in Atlanta, said Woodson's offense is 'totally different' from D'Antoni's. A point guard's role in Woodson's offense, Bibby says, is to get the ball in the hands of the team's scorers.

"Just make plays and knock down shots," he said.
Lin had been relied upon to score more under D'Antoni. He took 14 shots per game when D'Antoni was coaching.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/14496/woodson-lins-my-starter

The only issue I see on Woodson comments is maybe the expectation is for Lin to take jump shots more and not be aggresive driving down the lane.

He had Teague and Jamal Crawford driving the lane. I think it's more that driving the lane has never ever been in Bibby's arsenal, even in his Kings days. He's always been a pull-up PG.

Exactly

GustavBahler wrote:http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/jeremy-lin-mike-woodson-meet-to-discuss-knicks-role-1.3607120

Jeremy Lin, Mike Woodson meet to discuss Knicks role

Mike Woodson's offense isn't as fast moving as Mike D'Antoni's, but the Knicks' new interim coach said to slow the talk that Jeremy Lin's days as a starter are numbered.

Woodson met with Lin on Friday morning and told him not to worry about anything and just continue playing.

"Jeremy is a big part of what we do," Woodson said after the Knicks' morning shootaround. "He's our starting point guard. He and I are on the same page."

Woodson, who took over for D'Antoni after he resigned Wednesday, has said Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire would become more of the focal point of the Knicks' offense. Woodson likes to run isolations and post-ups, and Lin proved he's a good pick-and-roll player.

But Woodson will continue to run some of D'Antoni's offense because the players know it and Lin has thrived playing that way.

Lin was asked about his role changing or whether he was worried about losing his starting job. As he was answering, Woodson walked past him. Lin stopped talking to the media, and huddled with Woodson and asked if he could tell reporters they met and he would remain the starter.

"Absolutely," Woodson said. "Say it that way: Absolutely."
So Lin did.

"Me and coach talked this morning," he said. "He said that's not going to change. He told me not to worry about anything, just play my game."

Lin's role likely will change in that he won't have the ball as much as he did under D'Antoni. The point guard is the most important player in the ex-Knicks coach's system. But Lin still will be asked to run the team for Woodson.

"He said continue to initiate the offense, be aggressive," Lin said. "He's said there's going to be a lot of spacing and still the opportunity to play pick-and-roll. But at the same time we're going to utilize the post as well."

That plays to Anthony's strengths. He's probably the Knicks' best post player and wasn't always effective in D'Antoni's system because of that.

But Anthony said he expects Lin to do some of the same things he's been doing and isn't worried about speculation about his role change affecting the young point guard.

"Lin is Lin," Anthony said. "I don't think Lin is paying attention to any of that stuff that is going on right now. Lin is about winning. Lin is about this team. Lin is about doing things to help this team win.

"As far as the 'Linsanity' thing goes, it's still there. That's not going nowhere."

have to say, i like everything i've seen from Woodson thus far. maybe this will quell some of the irrational fears people are having.

crzymdups wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/jeremy-lin-mike-woodson-meet-to-discuss-knicks-role-1.3607120

Jeremy Lin, Mike Woodson meet to discuss Knicks role

Mike Woodson's offense isn't as fast moving as Mike D'Antoni's, but the Knicks' new interim coach said to slow the talk that Jeremy Lin's days as a starter are numbered.

Woodson met with Lin on Friday morning and told him not to worry about anything and just continue playing.

"Jeremy is a big part of what we do," Woodson said after the Knicks' morning shootaround. "He's our starting point guard. He and I are on the same page."

Woodson, who took over for D'Antoni after he resigned Wednesday, has said Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire would become more of the focal point of the Knicks' offense. Woodson likes to run isolations and post-ups, and Lin proved he's a good pick-and-roll player.

But Woodson will continue to run some of D'Antoni's offense because the players know it and Lin has thrived playing that way.

Lin was asked about his role changing or whether he was worried about losing his starting job. As he was answering, Woodson walked past him. Lin stopped talking to the media, and huddled with Woodson and asked if he could tell reporters they met and he would remain the starter.

"Absolutely," Woodson said. "Say it that way: Absolutely."
So Lin did.

"Me and coach talked this morning," he said. "He said that's not going to change. He told me not to worry about anything, just play my game."

Lin's role likely will change in that he won't have the ball as much as he did under D'Antoni. The point guard is the most important player in the ex-Knicks coach's system. But Lin still will be asked to run the team for Woodson.

"He said continue to initiate the offense, be aggressive," Lin said. "He's said there's going to be a lot of spacing and still the opportunity to play pick-and-roll. But at the same time we're going to utilize the post as well."

That plays to Anthony's strengths. He's probably the Knicks' best post player and wasn't always effective in D'Antoni's system because of that.

But Anthony said he expects Lin to do some of the same things he's been doing and isn't worried about speculation about his role change affecting the young point guard.

"Lin is Lin," Anthony said. "I don't think Lin is paying attention to any of that stuff that is going on right now. Lin is about winning. Lin is about this team. Lin is about doing things to help this team win.

"As far as the 'Linsanity' thing goes, it's still there. That's not going nowhere."

have to say, i like everything i've seen from Woodson thus far. maybe this will quell some of the irrational fears people are having.

I hope so too. All Woodson said is that everyone will be held accountable, that our offense now will be centered around our stars, and that they were the go to guys in crunch time. That's what he should be saying and guns is right that it was done in big part to reassure Stat and Melo that they are at the top of the pecking order now as opposed to before. Smart move and another smart move is keeping Lin's confidence up while letting him and everyone else know that they will be held accountable. Big thumbs up for Woody.

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:If Lin turns the ball over 5-6 times a game then in all likelihood he will sit and have his minutes cut. I don't see Bibby supplanting Lin in the rotation but he will get some of his minutes.

D'Antoni is one of the few coaches in this league who would allow a young player to turn the ball over that much without any repercussions. Despite his limitations offensively, Bibby doesn't turn the ball over and keeps the offense running. He played under Woodson for three years and knows his offense.

I don't see Bibby getting major minutes (and shouldn't) or moving Lin down the bench, but if this team wants to contend its going to have to cut down on the turnovers and Lin is the biggest culprit right now. If anything its incentive for Lin get the turnovers under control and that's not necessarily a bad thing right now.

Making a legit run in a strike shortened season is more important right now than Lin's development. Woodson is fighting for his job as well so its not realistic to expect him to give Lin that much rope, not with so few games left in the season.

With all due respect Bibby couldn't keep anything running if his life depended on it. Lin needs support from Woodson he soesn't need to be benched. The exact opposite will happen.

Bibby might be everyone's favorite punching bag here, but he doesn't turn the ball over very much, moves the ball well enough for his limited minutes, and rarely forces the issue. No one, especially me, is suggesting he's the answer, or that he should get big minutes. But giving Lin a green light to play without any concern for turnovers isn't going to do Lin any good short or long term.

If anything its going to hinder his development. It was all well and good when Lin was an unknown commodity and racking up the W's, but now that teams have his game scoped out, its foolish to make the kid think that its ok to turn the ball over that much and not have to pay the price.

Its like telling Shumpert to jack up as many bad shots as he likes, all it does is reinforce the notion that not playing smart doesn't have any consequences. If anything its tough love and its whats done pretty much to every other young player starting in this league.

Lin isn't being singled out, he's being treated like any other professional. If he was still putting up Linsanity type numbers I'd see your point, but there aren't many games left and its no time to let Lin play without regard for turnovers and the cost to the team and the hunt for the 8 spot. All I'm suggesting is that 5-6 turnovers games is going to eat into Lin's minutes, not that its going to get him sent to the 11 or twelve spot.

I'm a big fan of Lin's but he still has some big flaws in his game and the best way to get him to learn is to bench him when he isn't playing smart and have him sit on the bench and learn. This is not a novel approach and it works most of the time.

I don't think he is being treated like any other professional is a good argument especially for this coaching situation. When the first statement he made is I am gonna keep going to Melo and STAT who are not producing anywhere remotely close to what they are paid to do and are NOT wing held accountable. To then turnaround and justify that Lin should sit because he isn't putting up 27/10 is ridiculous.

Melo and Amare also have big flaws like not playing defense, not understanding what team ball means (Melo), not being able to grab more rebounds (Amare). But everyone is suddenly focused on TOs by Lin.

And I never said he should stop coaching Lin on his TOs either.

What's ridiculous is you comparing two proven All- Stars who have been in this league a long time and who have produced year in and year out with a virtual rookie who had a good 9-10 game stretch and whose game has fallen dramatically since then.

Woodson made it clear that minutes will be based on who is playing well on both ends of the court and that everyone will be held accountable, that includes Melo and Stat. Hopefully that will be the case. I don't want anyone getting a pass either.

Woodson also said that they would be the go to guys in crunch time because they are proven veterans and they've earned it. They weren't brought here to be role players. We've got plenty of those. Whatever Stat and Melo did or didn't do under D'Antoni is immaterial, its now what have you done for me lately? And if lately you are jacking up bad shots or turning the ball over 5-6 times, or playing swiss cheese D, or selfish, or just not smart, you're going to sit. Saying that you are going to rely on your stars to close out games is how its always been done unless that player's game is cratering.

I realize you didn't say that he shouldn't be coached but if all your telling Lin is "don't turn the ball over so much" and there are no consequences for doing so its probably not going to sink in.

If Woodson is able to hold Melo and STAT accountable, then I'll be happy to see him bench Lin. But I am not going to hold my breath.

It might not even come to Lin being benched if he's having problems with TO's. What will probably happen is that Davis will come in sooner. I think Woodson realizes the politics of benching Lin and I don't believe he'll do it without just cause, at least I hope he won't. I want Lin to be the starting PG of the future, tired of the PG carousel. Just want him brought along what I believe to be the right way.

GustavBahler wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:If Lin turns the ball over 5-6 times a game then in all likelihood he will sit and have his minutes cut. I don't see Bibby supplanting Lin in the rotation but he will get some of his minutes.

D'Antoni is one of the few coaches in this league who would allow a young player to turn the ball over that much without any repercussions. Despite his limitations offensively, Bibby doesn't turn the ball over and keeps the offense running. He played under Woodson for three years and knows his offense.

I don't see Bibby getting major minutes (and shouldn't) or moving Lin down the bench, but if this team wants to contend its going to have to cut down on the turnovers and Lin is the biggest culprit right now. If anything its incentive for Lin get the turnovers under control and that's not necessarily a bad thing right now.

Making a legit run in a strike shortened season is more important right now than Lin's development. Woodson is fighting for his job as well so its not realistic to expect him to give Lin that much rope, not with so few games left in the season.

With all due respect Bibby couldn't keep anything running if his life depended on it. Lin needs support from Woodson he soesn't need to be benched. The exact opposite will happen.

Bibby might be everyone's favorite punching bag here, but he doesn't turn the ball over very much, moves the ball well enough for his limited minutes, and rarely forces the issue. No one, especially me, is suggesting he's the answer, or that he should get big minutes. But giving Lin a green light to play without any concern for turnovers isn't going to do Lin any good short or long term.

If anything its going to hinder his development. It was all well and good when Lin was an unknown commodity and racking up the W's, but now that teams have his game scoped out, its foolish to make the kid think that its ok to turn the ball over that much and not have to pay the price.

Its like telling Shumpert to jack up as many bad shots as he likes, all it does is reinforce the notion that not playing smart doesn't have any consequences. If anything its tough love and its whats done pretty much to every other young player starting in this league.

Lin isn't being singled out, he's being treated like any other professional. If he was still putting up Linsanity type numbers I'd see your point, but there aren't many games left and its no time to let Lin play without regard for turnovers and the cost to the team and the hunt for the 8 spot. All I'm suggesting is that 5-6 turnovers games is going to eat into Lin's minutes, not that its going to get him sent to the 11 or twelve spot.

I'm a big fan of Lin's but he still has some big flaws in his game and the best way to get him to learn is to bench him when he isn't playing smart and have him sit on the bench and learn. This is not a novel approach and it works most of the time.

I don't think he is being treated like any other professional is a good argument especially for this coaching situation. When the first statement he made is I am gonna keep going to Melo and STAT who are not producing anywhere remotely close to what they are paid to do and are NOT wing held accountable. To then turnaround and justify that Lin should sit because he isn't putting up 27/10 is ridiculous.

Melo and Amare also have big flaws like not playing defense, not understanding what team ball means (Melo), not being able to grab more rebounds (Amare). But everyone is suddenly focused on TOs by Lin.

And I never said he should stop coaching Lin on his TOs either.

What's ridiculous is you comparing two proven All- Stars who have been in this league a long time and who have produced year in and year out with a virtual rookie who had a good 9-10 game stretch and whose game has fallen dramatically since then.

Woodson made it clear that minutes will be based on who is playing well on both ends of the court and that everyone will be held accountable, that includes Melo and Stat. Hopefully that will be the case. I don't want anyone getting a pass either.

Woodson also said that they would be the go to guys in crunch time because they are proven veterans and they've earned it. They weren't brought here to be role players. We've got plenty of those. Whatever Stat and Melo did or didn't do under D'Antoni is immaterial, its now what have you done for me lately? And if lately you are jacking up bad shots or turning the ball over 5-6 times, or playing swiss cheese D, or selfish, or just not smart, you're going to sit. Saying that you are going to rely on your stars to close out games is how its always been done unless that player's game is cratering.

I realize you didn't say that he shouldn't be coached but if all your telling Lin is "don't turn the ball over so much" and there are no consequences for doing so its probably not going to sink in.

If Woodson is able to hold Melo and STAT accountable, then I'll be happy to see him bench Lin. But I am not going to hold my breath.

It might not even come to Lin being benched if he's having problems with TO's. What will probably happen is that Davis will come in sooner. I think Woodson realizes the politics of benching Lin and I don't believe he'll do it without just cause, at least I hope he won't. I want Lin to be the starting PG of the future, tired of the PG carousel. Just want him brought along what I believe to be the right way.

I have no issues with Lin being coached. But I hate double standards. If I see him giving Melo and STAT a pass and ripping into Lin then I'll be pissed. Now if Lin was Tonwy Dougkas type garbage then I wouldn't object to it. But Lin is still doing a decent job except for the TOs. Sorry I don't care how many all star appearances someone has. You suck you sit.

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:If Lin turns the ball over 5-6 times a game then in all likelihood he will sit and have his minutes cut. I don't see Bibby supplanting Lin in the rotation but he will get some of his minutes.

D'Antoni is one of the few coaches in this league who would allow a young player to turn the ball over that much without any repercussions. Despite his limitations offensively, Bibby doesn't turn the ball over and keeps the offense running. He played under Woodson for three years and knows his offense.

I don't see Bibby getting major minutes (and shouldn't) or moving Lin down the bench, but if this team wants to contend its going to have to cut down on the turnovers and Lin is the biggest culprit right now. If anything its incentive for Lin get the turnovers under control and that's not necessarily a bad thing right now.

Making a legit run in a strike shortened season is more important right now than Lin's development. Woodson is fighting for his job as well so its not realistic to expect him to give Lin that much rope, not with so few games left in the season.

With all due respect Bibby couldn't keep anything running if his life depended on it. Lin needs support from Woodson he soesn't need to be benched. The exact opposite will happen.

Bibby might be everyone's favorite punching bag here, but he doesn't turn the ball over very much, moves the ball well enough for his limited minutes, and rarely forces the issue. No one, especially me, is suggesting he's the answer, or that he should get big minutes. But giving Lin a green light to play without any concern for turnovers isn't going to do Lin any good short or long term.

If anything its going to hinder his development. It was all well and good when Lin was an unknown commodity and racking up the W's, but now that teams have his game scoped out, its foolish to make the kid think that its ok to turn the ball over that much and not have to pay the price.

Its like telling Shumpert to jack up as many bad shots as he likes, all it does is reinforce the notion that not playing smart doesn't have any consequences. If anything its tough love and its whats done pretty much to every other young player starting in this league.

Lin isn't being singled out, he's being treated like any other professional. If he was still putting up Linsanity type numbers I'd see your point, but there aren't many games left and its no time to let Lin play without regard for turnovers and the cost to the team and the hunt for the 8 spot. All I'm suggesting is that 5-6 turnovers games is going to eat into Lin's minutes, not that its going to get him sent to the 11 or twelve spot.

I'm a big fan of Lin's but he still has some big flaws in his game and the best way to get him to learn is to bench him when he isn't playing smart and have him sit on the bench and learn. This is not a novel approach and it works most of the time.

I don't think he is being treated like any other professional is a good argument especially for this coaching situation. When the first statement he made is I am gonna keep going to Melo and STAT who are not producing anywhere remotely close to what they are paid to do and are NOT wing held accountable. To then turnaround and justify that Lin should sit because he isn't putting up 27/10 is ridiculous.

Melo and Amare also have big flaws like not playing defense, not understanding what team ball means (Melo), not being able to grab more rebounds (Amare). But everyone is suddenly focused on TOs by Lin.

And I never said he should stop coaching Lin on his TOs either.

What's ridiculous is you comparing two proven All- Stars who have been in this league a long time and who have produced year in and year out with a virtual rookie who had a good 9-10 game stretch and whose game has fallen dramatically since then.

Woodson made it clear that minutes will be based on who is playing well on both ends of the court and that everyone will be held accountable, that includes Melo and Stat. Hopefully that will be the case. I don't want anyone getting a pass either.

Woodson also said that they would be the go to guys in crunch time because they are proven veterans and they've earned it. They weren't brought here to be role players. We've got plenty of those. Whatever Stat and Melo did or didn't do under D'Antoni is immaterial, its now what have you done for me lately? And if lately you are jacking up bad shots or turning the ball over 5-6 times, or playing swiss cheese D, or selfish, or just not smart, you're going to sit. Saying that you are going to rely on your stars to close out games is how its always been done unless that player's game is cratering.

I realize you didn't say that he shouldn't be coached but if all your telling Lin is "don't turn the ball over so much" and there are no consequences for doing so its probably not going to sink in.

If Woodson is able to hold Melo and STAT accountable, then I'll be happy to see him bench Lin. But I am not going to hold my breath.

It might not even come to Lin being benched if he's having problems with TO's. What will probably happen is that Davis will come in sooner. I think Woodson realizes the politics of benching Lin and I don't believe he'll do it without just cause, at least I hope he won't. I want Lin to be the starting PG of the future, tired of the PG carousel. Just want him brought along what I believe to be the right way.

I have no issues with Lin being coached. But I hate double standards. If I see him giving Melo and STAT a pass and ripping into Lin then I'll be pissed. Now if Lin was Tonwy Dougkas type garbage then I wouldn't object to it. But Lin is still doing a decent job except for the TOs. Sorry I don't care how many all star appearances someone has. You suck you sit.

I agree 100 percent.

GustavBahler wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:If Lin turns the ball over 5-6 times a game then in all likelihood he will sit and have his minutes cut. I don't see Bibby supplanting Lin in the rotation but he will get some of his minutes.

D'Antoni is one of the few coaches in this league who would allow a young player to turn the ball over that much without any repercussions. Despite his limitations offensively, Bibby doesn't turn the ball over and keeps the offense running. He played under Woodson for three years and knows his offense.

I don't see Bibby getting major minutes (and shouldn't) or moving Lin down the bench, but if this team wants to contend its going to have to cut down on the turnovers and Lin is the biggest culprit right now. If anything its incentive for Lin get the turnovers under control and that's not necessarily a bad thing right now.

Making a legit run in a strike shortened season is more important right now than Lin's development. Woodson is fighting for his job as well so its not realistic to expect him to give Lin that much rope, not with so few games left in the season.

With all due respect Bibby couldn't keep anything running if his life depended on it. Lin needs support from Woodson he soesn't need to be benched. The exact opposite will happen.

Bibby might be everyone's favorite punching bag here, but he doesn't turn the ball over very much, moves the ball well enough for his limited minutes, and rarely forces the issue. No one, especially me, is suggesting he's the answer, or that he should get big minutes. But giving Lin a green light to play without any concern for turnovers isn't going to do Lin any good short or long term.

If anything its going to hinder his development. It was all well and good when Lin was an unknown commodity and racking up the W's, but now that teams have his game scoped out, its foolish to make the kid think that its ok to turn the ball over that much and not have to pay the price.

Its like telling Shumpert to jack up as many bad shots as he likes, all it does is reinforce the notion that not playing smart doesn't have any consequences. If anything its tough love and its whats done pretty much to every other young player starting in this league.

Lin isn't being singled out, he's being treated like any other professional. If he was still putting up Linsanity type numbers I'd see your point, but there aren't many games left and its no time to let Lin play without regard for turnovers and the cost to the team and the hunt for the 8 spot. All I'm suggesting is that 5-6 turnovers games is going to eat into Lin's minutes, not that its going to get him sent to the 11 or twelve spot.

I'm a big fan of Lin's but he still has some big flaws in his game and the best way to get him to learn is to bench him when he isn't playing smart and have him sit on the bench and learn. This is not a novel approach and it works most of the time.

I don't think he is being treated like any other professional is a good argument especially for this coaching situation. When the first statement he made is I am gonna keep going to Melo and STAT who are not producing anywhere remotely close to what they are paid to do and are NOT wing held accountable. To then turnaround and justify that Lin should sit because he isn't putting up 27/10 is ridiculous.

Melo and Amare also have big flaws like not playing defense, not understanding what team ball means (Melo), not being able to grab more rebounds (Amare). But everyone is suddenly focused on TOs by Lin.

And I never said he should stop coaching Lin on his TOs either.

What's ridiculous is you comparing two proven All- Stars who have been in this league a long time and who have produced year in and year out with a virtual rookie who had a good 9-10 game stretch and whose game has fallen dramatically since then.

Woodson made it clear that minutes will be based on who is playing well on both ends of the court and that everyone will be held accountable, that includes Melo and Stat. Hopefully that will be the case. I don't want anyone getting a pass either.

Woodson also said that they would be the go to guys in crunch time because they are proven veterans and they've earned it. They weren't brought here to be role players. We've got plenty of those. Whatever Stat and Melo did or didn't do under D'Antoni is immaterial, its now what have you done for me lately? And if lately you are jacking up bad shots or turning the ball over 5-6 times, or playing swiss cheese D, or selfish, or just not smart, you're going to sit. Saying that you are going to rely on your stars to close out games is how its always been done unless that player's game is cratering.

I realize you didn't say that he shouldn't be coached but if all your telling Lin is "don't turn the ball over so much" and there are no consequences for doing so its probably not going to sink in.

If Woodson is able to hold Melo and STAT accountable, then I'll be happy to see him bench Lin. But I am not going to hold my breath.

It might not even come to Lin being benched if he's having problems with TO's. What will probably happen is that Davis will come in sooner. I think Woodson realizes the politics of benching Lin and I don't believe he'll do it without just cause, at least I hope he won't. I want Lin to be the starting PG of the future, tired of the PG carousel. Just want him brought along what I believe to be the right way.

Exactly u see how car it is to get the coaching staff to bench Fields. Lin would have to really stink it up to get benched. I loved what Woody did the other night bringing Davis in early at the 5min mark keeping guys fresh and maintaining continuity which led to the 42pt win