Lin played well before his 3rd foul, and he was taken out afterwards. Earlier than his usual rest time or not, it was to protect him before his picks up a 4th before 4th quarter. After he was subbed in in 4th quarter, Lin immediately took his 4th foul, and 2 mins later, he fouled 5th time. Coach was forced to take him out, again to protect him. Later, in the crunch time, he was brought in to help team close the game. Again, he fouled 6th time only one minute later, and took himself out of the game.
Remember, Rockets didn't score when Lin was on the court, between his 4th, 5th, and 6th foul. During that period, you can't say how Rockets can't play without him, because Lin didn't help. As a matter of fact, he took himself out of the game, and therefore took the team out of the game.
You can argue all you want to how refs are retarded or biased, but players need to learn how refs are calling the games. If refs are calling ticky tacky fouls on visiting team, especially on you, you have to learn to adjust. You can't keep reaching and gambling. As I said many times, when I don't like about Lin's defense is he gambles too much. Sometimes, it's fine that he comes away with steals, but when refs are calling everything, he has to adjust. 3 fouls in 3 minutes led to fouling out is plain stupid.
I haven't figured out a way to blame this on coach, how Lin's fouling out is coach's fault. Someone please help me:)
Joke aside, this is where TD painfully missed. He could have helped with on-man defence later in the game.
Hopefully Lin can learn from this game. Lessons are always learned the hard way.
