There is still some remaining uncertainty in the starting lineup for the Houston Rockets. While fans can lock in Dwight Howard and James Harden as the two center pieces of the offense, point guard Jeremy Lin is not a guarantee. Kevin McHale notes that at the moment the team has two point guards capable of starting and he will let them battle it out.
Lin and Patrick Beverley remain in competition for the starting spot for the team. Each player has started two preseason games for the Rockets and McHale is remaining quiet on which player he believes has done the better job. Both have impressed in their own right. McHale finds naming a starter irrelevant, saying every player can contribute whether they are on the court at tipoff or not.
"As a player, I always found it irrelevant," McHale said via the Houston Chronicle. "I came off the bench in a lot of games. What is the big difference in playing 27½ minutes off the bench and playing 26 minutes as a starter? I guess it is a big deal to some people."
Lin and Beverley both contributed at different times last year while hitting slumps at different times as well. However, both have looked strong in the preseason. Lin believes they each have different strengths that help the team. While Lin is a better ball handler, Beverley is a better defender. Howard loves the idea of having two great point guards. The newly signed center is not worried about which one gets named a starter.
"It's a good problem to have two guys that are capable of coming in and making plays and starting," Howard said.. "I think they just shouldn't worry about who starts. They should keep focused on what they can do in the game because that is what will help us win. We are lucky to have them both."
Lin seems like the obvious starter based on experience and contract size. However, McHale must first decide other position battles before getting a starting point guard. The head coach intends on experimenting with Howard at power forward. Omen Asik was not traded so he might see time at center. That might create spacing issues. Harden likes the ball in his hands a lot creating issues for Lin. McHale believes everything will sort itself out come opening night.
As of now, Lin and Beverley are feeding off one another. Lin says he is not concerned with where he is on the court as long as he helps contribute to wins for the team.
"I watch him. He watches me," Lin said. "We feed off each other, learn from other. I think that comes really naturally for us."
