Linsanity Over

[mqtcelticsfan]

Thou speaketh lies in the name of the lord.

[bdm860]

Shocker.  Carmelo came back, Lin got largely pushed aside, and the Knicks starting losing.

I don’t think it’s Melo’s fault.  Melo or no Melo, the Knicks and Lin would be doing the same right about now.

Really Lin just came in at the perfect time.  Let’s take a look at that 7 game win streak (and the couple of games after):

W1, NJ (8-17), NJ was on the road, playing 2nd game of a back-to-back, and 4th game in 5 nights
W2, Utah (13-10), Utah was on the road
W3, Wash (5-21)
W4, LAL (15-12) 2nd game of back-to-back, going to overtime against the Celtics the night before, 5th game of a 6 game road trip.
W5, Min (13-15) 2nd game of a back-to-back, playing 4th game in 5 nights
W6, Tor (9-21)
W7, Sac (10-19) Sac is on the road, 2nd game of a back-to-back, playing a close game against the Bulls the night before
L1, NO (7-23)
W8, Dal (20-12) maybe the first team they really shouldn’t have beaten

They played 5 of the 6 worst teams in the league, and the Knicks went 4-1.   I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bobcats went 4-1 against NJ, Was, Tor, Sac, and NO at any point this season.

They played 3 average-to-good teams, 2 of which were home games for the Knicks, and 2 of them were playing the 4th game in 5 nights, and the Knicks went 3-0.  Again I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bobcats got 2 wins at home playing teams on the 4th game in 5 nights.

The only really legit win is against Dallas.

Now they’re playing some good teams, Miami, Boston, Dallas, Atlanta, all of the sudden now Lin doesn’t look so great and the Knicks aren’t cruising.  I don’t really think that
has all that much to do with Carmelo Anthony.  More good teams on the way too, rest of the month they play Philly twice, Indiana twice, Chicago, San Antonio, Orlando, Atlanta.  Sit Melo, the Knicks still won’t do good against those teams.

So a quick pg in a Mike D’Antoni system put up some great stats during an amazingly easy stretch of their schedule, with no other go-to player on the team.  It’s just not THAT special.

Any other coach’s system, Lin doesn’t put up those numbers.  If it’s a non-lockout season, that streak doesn’t happen.  If the team’s stars and veterans aren’t injured, that streak doesn’t happen.

Hey 7 in a row and Lin’s stats during that stretch is impressive against anybody, but still without examining every other teams schedule, that’s got to be one of the easiest stretches for any team in the NBA this season (they didn’t even have one game against a team with a winning record on the road), and the absolute perfect scenario for a young, quick PG to shine.

Lin is a legit NBA player no doubt, but he’s nothing special, just lucky.

[huzy]

So a quick pg in a Mike D’Antoni system put up some great stats during an amazingly easy stretch of their schedule, with no other go-to player on the team.  It’s just not THAT special.

Any other coach’s system, Lin doesn’t put up those numbers.  If it’s a non-lockout season, that streak doesn’t happen.  If the team’s stars and veterans aren’t injured, that streak doesn’t happen.

TP...dead on!

[clover]

It's not the poor guy's fault, but really how much more Linsanity could anyone take?

[Roy H.]

Shocker.  Carmelo came back, Lin got largely pushed aside, and the Knicks starting losing.

I don’t think it’s Melo’s fault.  Melo or no Melo, the Knicks and Lin would be doing the same right about now.

Really Lin just came in at the perfect time.  Let’s take a look at that 7 game win streak (and the couple of games after):

W1, NJ (8-17), NJ was on the road, playing 2nd game of a back-to-back, and 4th game in 5 nights
W2, Utah (13-10), Utah was on the road
W3, Wash (5-21)
W4, LAL (15-12) 2nd game of back-to-back, going to overtime against the Celtics the night before, 5th game of a 6 game road trip.
W5, Min (13-15) 2nd game of a back-to-back, playing 4th game in 5 nights
W6, Tor (9-21)
W7, Sac (10-19) Sac is on the road, 2nd game of a back-to-back, playing a close game against the Bulls the night before
L1, NO (7-23)
W8, Dal (20-12) maybe the first team they really shouldn’t have beaten

They played 5 of the 6 worst teams in the league, and the Knicks went 4-1.   I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bobcats went 4-1 against NJ, Was, Tor, Sac, and NO at any point this season.

They played 3 average-to-good teams, 2 of which were home games for the Knicks, and 2 of them were playing the 4th game in 5 nights, and the Knicks went 3-0.  Again I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bobcats got 2 wins at home playing teams on the 4th game in 5 nights.

The only really legit win is against Dallas.

Now they’re playing some good teams, Miami, Boston, Dallas, Atlanta, all of the sudden now Lin doesn’t look so great and the Knicks aren’t cruising.  I don’t really think that
has all that much to do with Carmelo Anthony.  More good teams on the way too, rest of the month they play Philly twice, Indiana twice, Chicago, San Antonio, Orlando, Atlanta.  Sit Melo, the Knicks still won’t do good against those teams.

So a quick pg in a Mike D’Antoni system put up some great stats during an amazingly easy stretch of their schedule, with no other go-to player on the team.  It’s just not THAT special.

Any other coach’s system, Lin doesn’t put up those numbers.  If it’s a non-lockout season, that streak doesn’t happen.  If the team’s stars and veterans aren’t injured, that streak doesn’t happen.

Hey 7 in a row and Lin’s stats during that stretch is impressive against anybody, but still without examining every other teams schedule, that’s got to be one of the easiest stretches for any team in the NBA this season (they didn’t even have one game against a team with a winning record on the road), and the absolute perfect scenario for a young, quick PG to shine.

Lin is a legit NBA player no doubt, but he’s nothing special, just lucky.

I think you underrate how difficult it is to win games in the NBA, even against weaker competition.  During New York's winning streak, Lin was playing with only one other above-average NBA starter, Tyson Chandler.  The Knicks' talent was terrible, but they were winning games due to Lin's personal heroics.

How many other players in the NBA -- let alone guys making their first few career starts -- have had streaks like Lin had this year?

When are people saying Linsanity ended?  Even in the last four games, he's averaging approximately 14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals in around 33 minutes.  For a kid that came out of nowhere, that's pretty impressive.

[bostonpatriot]

Lin was also shooting almost 70% in long 2s and stuff like that. Novak couldn't miss either.

It's not Melo's fault that they had to regress to the mean.

When are people saying Linsanity ended?  Even in the last four games, he's averaging approximately 14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals in around 33 minutes.  For a kid that came out of nowhere, that's pretty impressive.

While shooting 34% and averaging 4 turnovers.

Lin can do some things well, but he has too many flaws in his game, especially in terms of ball-handling, decision-making and defense. As of now. he's a very modest starting PG/quality backup. If Baron Davis is in form, the Knicks should start him.

[Finkelskyhook]

Excellent post, Coach Hobbs.....

If Lin settles into his current reality....Still pretty impressive.  And lucrative next season for him for sure.

[ChiefDK]

Shocker.  Carmelo came back, Lin got largely pushed aside, and the Knicks starting losing.

I don’t think it’s Melo’s fault.  Melo or no Melo, the Knicks and Lin would be doing the same right about now.

Really Lin just came in at the perfect time.  Let’s take a look at that 7 game win streak (and the couple of games after):

W1, NJ (8-17), NJ was on the road, playing 2nd game of a back-to-back, and 4th game in 5 nights
W2, Utah (13-10), Utah was on the road
W3, Wash (5-21)
W4, LAL (15-12) 2nd game of back-to-back, going to overtime against the Celtics the night before, 5th game of a 6 game road trip.
W5, Min (13-15) 2nd game of a back-to-back, playing 4th game in 5 nights
W6, Tor (9-21)
W7, Sac (10-19) Sac is on the road, 2nd game of a back-to-back, playing a close game against the Bulls the night before
L1, NO (7-23)
W8, Dal (20-12) maybe the first team they really shouldn’t have beaten

They played 5 of the 6 worst teams in the league, and the Knicks went 4-1.   I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bobcats went 4-1 against NJ, Was, Tor, Sac, and NO at any point this season.

They played 3 average-to-good teams, 2 of which were home games for the Knicks, and 2 of them were playing the 4th game in 5 nights, and the Knicks went 3-0.  Again I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bobcats got 2 wins at home playing teams on the 4th game in 5 nights.

The only really legit win is against Dallas.

Now they’re playing some good teams, Miami, Boston, Dallas, Atlanta, all of the sudden now Lin doesn’t look so great and the Knicks aren’t cruising.  I don’t really think that
has all that much to do with Carmelo Anthony.  More good teams on the way too, rest of the month they play Philly twice, Indiana twice, Chicago, San Antonio, Orlando, Atlanta.  Sit Melo, the Knicks still won’t do good against those teams.

So a quick pg in a Mike D’Antoni system put up some great stats during an amazingly easy stretch of their schedule, with no other go-to player on the team.  It’s just not THAT special.

Any other coach’s system, Lin doesn’t put up those numbers.  If it’s a non-lockout season, that streak doesn’t happen.  If the team’s stars and veterans aren’t injured, that streak doesn’t happen.

Hey 7 in a row and Lin’s stats during that stretch is impressive against anybody, but still without examining every other teams schedule, that’s got to be one of the easiest stretches for any team in the NBA this season (they didn’t even have one game against a team with a winning record on the road), and the absolute perfect scenario for a young, quick PG to shine.

Lin is a legit NBA player no doubt, but he’s nothing special, just lucky.

I think you underrate how difficult it is to win games in the NBA, even against weaker competition.  During New York's winning streak, Lin was playing with only one other above-average NBA starter, Tyson Chandler.  The Knicks' talent was terrible, but they were winning games due to Lin's personal heroics.

How many other players in the NBA -- let alone guys making their first few career starts -- have had streaks like Lin had this year?

When are people saying Linsanity ended?  Even in the last four games, he's averaging approximately 14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals in around 33 minutes.  For a kid that came out of nowhere, that's pretty impressive.

We all know the sports world revolves around ESPN. They've quickly discarded Linsanity to focus on bountygate and Peyton.

All kidding aside, I think Lin is a nice player and will be around awhile..14, 5, and 7 is pretty good production out of the PG spot.

[LarBrd33]

That was quick..ESPN didn't even mention him while showing last night's highlights. The Knicks are a franchise that's been treading water for 40 years now and will continue to do so. As a Celtics fan, I enjoy it. Spike Lee, have a seat.

I know I jokingly kept saying, "I give him 11 games" based solely on the fact that Flip Murray and Brandon Jennings both stretched out their improbable hot streaks to 11 games...

But I have to admit it was a little amazing that on Lin's 12 game he threw up an epic stinker against the Heat and has been pretty crappy his last couple.

11 games... what is it about 11 games?  Maybe the players keep telling themselves, "If I can keep this up for 10 games I'll be legit"... and then on the 11th game they are like, "I've finally made it... one more to lock it in!"... then on the 12th game, the wheels fall off.  Lol

[Lucky17]

Approves.

[RyNye]

A lot of talented young players, when they first get major minutes, do really well, because nobody has scouted them or knows how to guard them. It takes the league a while to really catch up and figure out how to defend someone. Now, everyone knows how to defend Lin ... the test of a great player is that they can then adapt to this defense. Lin has been spotty so far, but he still has time to figure things out.

Also, Carmelo Anthony came back. I know people are saying it is not his fault, but as anyone who pays attention to advanced metrics knows, Carmelo Anthony is simply not a superstar. An All-Star, sure, but not a superstar. He really just isn't good enough. His career true shooting percentage is barely (.01%) above the league average for his position, and it is well below average for 3 pointers and long 2 pointers. In fact, the only thing keeping his TS% so high is that he is a pretty good free throw shooter, and average at getting to the rim.

Talented, sure. Superstar ... well, the ball don't lie.

[bdm860]

Shocker.  Carmelo came back, Lin got largely pushed aside, and the Knicks starting losing.

I don’t think it’s Melo’s fault.  Melo or no Melo, the Knicks and Lin would be doing the same right about now.

Really Lin just came in at the perfect time.  Let’s take a look at that 7 game win streak (and the couple of games after):

W1, NJ (8-17), NJ was on the road, playing 2nd game of a back-to-back, and 4th game in 5 nights
W2, Utah (13-10), Utah was on the road
W3, Wash (5-21)
W4, LAL (15-12) 2nd game of back-to-back, going to overtime against the Celtics the night before, 5th game of a 6 game road trip.
W5, Min (13-15) 2nd game of a back-to-back, playing 4th game in 5 nights
W6, Tor (9-21)
W7, Sac (10-19) Sac is on the road, 2nd game of a back-to-back, playing a close game against the Bulls the night before
L1, NO (7-23)
W8, Dal (20-12) maybe the first team they really shouldn’t have beaten

They played 5 of the 6 worst teams in the league, and the Knicks went 4-1.   I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bobcats went 4-1 against NJ, Was, Tor, Sac, and NO at any point this season.

They played 3 average-to-good teams, 2 of which were home games for the Knicks, and 2 of them were playing the 4th game in 5 nights, and the Knicks went 3-0.  Again I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bobcats got 2 wins at home playing teams on the 4th game in 5 nights.

The only really legit win is against Dallas.

Now they’re playing some good teams, Miami, Boston, Dallas, Atlanta, all of the sudden now Lin doesn’t look so great and the Knicks aren’t cruising.  I don’t really think that
has all that much to do with Carmelo Anthony.  More good teams on the way too, rest of the month they play Philly twice, Indiana twice, Chicago, San Antonio, Orlando, Atlanta.  Sit Melo, the Knicks still won’t do good against those teams.

So a quick pg in a Mike D’Antoni system put up some great stats during an amazingly easy stretch of their schedule, with no other go-to player on the team.  It’s just not THAT special.

Any other coach’s system, Lin doesn’t put up those numbers.  If it’s a non-lockout season, that streak doesn’t happen.  If the team’s stars and veterans aren’t injured, that streak doesn’t happen.

Hey 7 in a row and Lin’s stats during that stretch is impressive against anybody, but still without examining every other teams schedule, that’s got to be one of the easiest stretches for any team in the NBA this season (they didn’t even have one game against a team with a winning record on the road), and the absolute perfect scenario for a young, quick PG to shine.

Lin is a legit NBA player no doubt, but he’s nothing special, just lucky.

I think you underrate how difficult it is to win games in the NBA, even against weaker competition.  During New York's winning streak, Lin was playing with only one other above-average NBA starter, Tyson Chandler.  The Knicks' talent was terrible, but they were winning games due to Lin's personal heroics.

How many other players in the NBA -- let alone guys making their first few career starts -- have had streaks like Lin had this year?

When are people saying Linsanity ended?  Even in the last four games, he's averaging approximately 14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals in around 33 minutes.  For a kid that came out of nowhere, that's pretty impressive.

No doubt, it's very hard to win games.  I did say "Hey 7 in a row and Lin’s stats during that stretch is impressive against anybody"

But because Carmelo came back at the same time the magic started wearing off, doesn't mean it's Carmelo's fault.   Other variables are playing a much larger role here.

Lin stepped into the perfect storm, and made the most of it.  He's a solid NBA player, but not a star or phenom like many are making him out to be.

Also Flip Murray had a very similar start coming out of nowhere (Lin's assist totals are the only thing really different, but assist/turnover ratio brings things back to perspective).  And as already mentioned in this thread Brandon Jennings started off pretty hot too before cooling off, although being a big name lottery pick there were higher expectations with him.

[snively]

I think you underrate how difficult it is to win games in the NBA, even against weaker competition.  During New York's winning streak, Lin was playing with only one other above-average NBA starter, Tyson Chandler.  The Knicks' talent was terrible, but they were winning games due to Lin's personal heroics.

How many other players in the NBA -- let alone guys making their first few career starts -- have had streaks like Lin had this year?

It's actually not that uncommon.  There have been many players who exploded into prominence and struggled once teams learned to pinpoint and exploit their weaknesses and their initial adrenaline and concomitant hot shooting wore off.

The obvious examples are Jennings and Flip Murray, but we've seen plenty of mini-outbursts from our own players.  Ryan Gomes had some great games in his first NBA starts.  Tony Allen had that monster stretch when Paul Pierce went down before he got injured.   Greg Stiemsma had an amazing debut.  Heck, we even when 6-2 when JR Bremer took over starting PG duties!

The element of surprise is a potent factor in the NBA.

[TheReaLPuba]

Shocker.  Carmelo came back, Lin got largely pushed aside, and the Knicks starting losing.

I don’t think it’s Melo’s fault.  Melo or no Melo, the Knicks and Lin would be doing the same right about now.

Really Lin just came in at the perfect time.  Let’s take a look at that 7 game win streak (and the couple of games after):

W1, NJ (8-17), NJ was on the road, playing 2nd game of a back-to-back, and 4th game in 5 nights
W2, Utah (13-10), Utah was on the road
W3, Wash (5-21)
W4, LAL (15-12) 2nd game of back-to-back, going to overtime against the Celtics the night before, 5th game of a 6 game road trip.
W5, Min (13-15) 2nd game of a back-to-back, playing 4th game in 5 nights
W6, Tor (9-21)
W7, Sac (10-19) Sac is on the road, 2nd game of a back-to-back, playing a close game against the Bulls the night before
L1, NO (7-23)
W8, Dal (20-12) maybe the first team they really shouldn’t have beaten

They played 5 of the 6 worst teams in the league, and the Knicks went 4-1.   I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bobcats went 4-1 against NJ, Was, Tor, Sac, and NO at any point this season.

They played 3 average-to-good teams, 2 of which were home games for the Knicks, and 2 of them were playing the 4th game in 5 nights, and the Knicks went 3-0.  Again I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bobcats got 2 wins at home playing teams on the 4th game in 5 nights.

The only really legit win is against Dallas.

Now they’re playing some good teams, Miami, Boston, Dallas, Atlanta, all of the sudden now Lin doesn’t look so great and the Knicks aren’t cruising.  I don’t really think that
has all that much to do with Carmelo Anthony.  More good teams on the way too, rest of the month they play Philly twice, Indiana twice, Chicago, San Antonio, Orlando, Atlanta.  Sit Melo, the Knicks still won’t do good against those teams.

So a quick pg in a Mike D’Antoni system put up some great stats during an amazingly easy stretch of their schedule, with no other go-to player on the team.  It’s just not THAT special.

Any other coach’s system, Lin doesn’t put up those numbers.  If it’s a non-lockout season, that streak doesn’t happen.  If the team’s stars and veterans aren’t injured, that streak doesn’t happen.

Hey 7 in a row and Lin’s stats during that stretch is impressive against anybody, but still without examining every other teams schedule, that’s got to be one of the easiest stretches for any team in the NBA this season (they didn’t even have one game against a team with a winning record on the road), and the absolute perfect scenario for a young, quick PG to shine.

Lin is a legit NBA player no doubt, but he’s nothing special, just lucky.

But the Knicks weren't winning against any teams before Lin came into play.

JL starts and the team starts to play better but more importantly they start playing as a team and believing in one another.

Lin practically saves D'antoni's job. The Knicks were a poorly constructed team to begin with but Lin's play elevated his teammates and they were beating teams with their bench players as both STAT and Melo were out.

I believe in the right system Lin can be a legit starting PG. He doesn't normally play the PG position but he has a high BBIQ and isn't used to controlling the ball a lot against bigger quicker players so he has to adjust. His high TO's will come down as he gains experience but the guy is a pretty good shooter with good court vision and he can get to the rim.

He's a poor man's Nash as of right now without the super high assists.

[guava_wrench]

Shocker.  Carmelo came back, Lin got largely pushed aside, and the Knicks starting losing.

As much as I don't like Melo, I can't blame him. Lin is still prominent during their games, but he is less effective. He is still a rotation guy, but he is not anywhere near all star quality despite earning player of the week during his ridiculous run.

He takes the kinds of shots that make him look like a superstar when they drop and a chucker when they don't. That means some crazy good games and some crazy bad.