On MSG channel, those commentators/analysts/anchors have talked about how coach Woodson would call players to the bench and let them know about bad plays. Before last night, they have shown clips of coach calling Melo, Fields, and JR to the side, and let them know about it. Those players all listened. The coach yelled at JR after he got the technical for tauning and hanging on the rim so loud, that everyone could hear it. "I told you don't do it! Don't do it!" Then Kelly (a former player) and Alan talked about those things. Kelly went on saying, "that's the way should be. In old days, if I made a bad play, I would be called to the principle's office, and get an ear-full about it."
MSG channel also showed clips of interviewing players. Melo, Amare, and Tyson, all said something like "coach likes to stay on top of things, whenever I do something wrong, he will let me know. I am cool with that. whatever can helps the team, I am for it." 你看人家态度多端正啊。
In high pressure real time environment, decisions have to be made fast, problems have to be pointed out directly and fast, there is no wishy-washy, no face-saving feelings-caring politically correct nonsense. For example on a trading floor, you did something wrong, you will get yelled at and are supposed to correct it/deal with it immediately. There is no room no time for you to explain, how it's not your fault. If you do have a a case, bring it up AFTERWARDS.
Professional sports is like battle field. Everything is result oriented, and everyone wants result now. Lin got yelled at, for that play, not for him as a person. Don't try to scrutinize it, and be over-sensitive about it. Seriously, if a professional player can't handle the moment of heat, must relate own face/feelings, he is not good enough to be a professional player, at least mentally.
In the post game interview, Coach Woodson said, "in the 4th quarter, I put the ball in Lin's hands, and he got us there". What kind of better praise do you want? Coach is not player's family or friend, they just have a working relationship. They need to have a trust between them - everything is for business, nothing personal.
Again, you can hate Woodson or Melo or the whole New York team or the city, all you want to. It's your freedom. But please don't claim you are hating him on behalf of Lin, I have an issue with that, as a fan of Lin, because Lin is NOT about that at all. He's about something really good.