Scott machado is a BEAST
Lin is still better than Machado. Don't worry about that. And yes, Houston is doubled down on Lin. But it isn't a money issue. Lin's salary doesn't get significant until the third year. Right now his $5 million a year is below average for an NBA player. Not bad value for a starter. But going back to your main point. Even if Machado does play better than Lin, it will very very hard to bench Lin. Lin is going to be the face of the franchise this year. He is starting and assists are not going to get Machado a starting spot. Especially not since Lin is racking up assists at a good clip himself.
For the record, I thought it was a travisty that Machado wasn't drafted. He could easily play the point on the Bobcats right now, for example.
My mistake, I thought Lin's contract was a lot more right up front.
I concede Lin is better than Machado overall, however I do believe Machado is well ahead of Lin (and a lot of other PG's in the league) in terms of seeing the floor and making a quick accurate pass. Those instincts I believe are much more valuable over the course of the season. I've always been a sucker for pass happy high IQ players..
Machado is probably better at passing than half the PGs in the NBA right now. I'm not surprised that he is better than Lin. Lin has always struck me as a scoring PG who happens to also look for his teamates. Lin's strengths has been the scrappy steals, rebounds, and blocks, all of which he does better than your average PG. And then last year he just got to the line again and again making him a very effective scorer. He said he doesn't have all his speed back yet. If he gets it back this year, he will get back to being more effective.
The issue with Lin is that the dust is settled, he's little run will be over as soon as the regular season starts.. He is a below average starting player that's not even with 5 mil, maybe half of that his best tole would be a spark plug of the bench.. Dude can't go right, below average three point shooter, and his D is overrated.. Lin will get exposed the season like he has been getting exposed in the preseason..
Even if you think he was a bit below average PG last year (and none of the stats back up that statement, nor do the wins), that was basically his rookie year. With more experience at the very least the turnovers are going to decrease. That alone will increase is effectiveness. Remember a lot of his practice has been against Ivy-leaguers back in college. He is still much earlier in his learning curve than the typical NBA player who was playing against elite athletic talent in college.
He's not as creative or awkward, but he plays like his countryman Marcelinho. He's very good at seeing the passing angles for those over the top touch passes. That's a product of not only his ability to read the defense, but to read the defender's hand position and where their attention is drawn. He throws a very accurate, catchable ball as well.
Now I sound like I'm breaking down an NFL QB.
i just caught the rockets vs. spurs game and WOW... WOW... this kid machado is special. (not the first time i see him btw)
he has elite court vision... like 'rajon-rondo-elite'. YES, i said it.
its unbelievable how this guy went undrafted.
he was making insane passes all throughout the game. he got 3 assist his first 3 minutes in the game. he sees EVERYTHING and knows how to get it there. his speed is underrated, and so is his shooting. he's gonna blossom with the rockets. he can run the pick and roll nice, and its a monster on the break.
not only was he playing nice, the team was playing good with him running it. the first time he subbed in, they were down by like 15, he went in and everybody started scoring and they cut the lead down to like 7.
he's my 3rd favorite player from last year's class after lamb (who was lighting it up in the game as well) and terrence ross. this kid is special