If you do not watch basketball, or did not start watching basketball until the 2012-2013 season, you were missing out. Linsanity truly shocked the world, as Jeremy Lin, a benchwarmer, led his team to an incredible winning streak while dazzling the crowd nightly. Although he no longer has the same confidence as he did that season, Lin's offensive arsenal is eye popping, and his defense continues to improve. Can he once again become the player he was in 2012? This is unlikely, especially since defenses no longer forget about him and head coaches repeat: "watch out for Lin" before every matchup with him. But since anything is possible, I have decided to take a look at the factors affecting Lin's success and determine whether or not he can be the same person who created a movement which almost every Basketball fan recalls.
The Environment
An injury riddled superstar?check. A large, big market city with a tradition of winning?check. A team that is currently in a long, painful rebuilding process?check. All of these factors certainly apply to LA, as they do to New York City, which just happens to be the place where Lin began as a player nobody has even heard of sleeping on his teammates couch and finished off as an unquestionable superstar. If he could repeat that success in an eerily similar environment, Lin might even become an all star- as he finished 4th in voting last season. In addition Lin has become a Laker at the perfect time, as he has still yet to reach his prime and can learn many things from legendary point guard Steve Nash. Also, Kobe Bryant is far enough along his fall from stardom to understand that having the offense run through him is all that matters. Lin has arrived at the right place at the right time. If he takes advantage of this, he is poised to have another one of his exceed all expectations seasons.
The Coach
In his documentary, Linsanity, Jeremy Lin stated that the offense Mike D'Antoni ran during his time as a Knick was "Tailor made" for him. Lin's new coach, Byron Scott, runs a very similar offense. Like D'Antoni, Scott puts high emphasis on the point guard position and encourages an unselfish, high paced offense. Scott used this mentality to coach 2 New Jersey Nets teams to the finals, where they unfortunately lost twice- once to an unstoppable Lakers team and the other to the far superior Spurs. Scott could use Lin the same way he used Jason Kidd in New Jersey- as a high level facilitator and on-court leader. He will not be relied on to score, which will only increase his shot at a breakout season, as Lin works best without high expectations.If Lin is unable to establish his stardom in a system like Scott's, then he is most likely doomed to serve the rest of his career as a role player.
The Environment
An injury riddled superstar?check. A large, big market city with a tradition of winning?check. A team that is currently in a long, painful rebuilding process?check. All of these factors certainly apply to LA, as they do to New York City, which just happens to be the place where Lin began as a player nobody has even heard of sleeping on his teammates couch and finished off as an unquestionable superstar. If he could repeat that success in an eerily similar environment, Lin might even become an all star- as he finished 4th in voting last season. In addition Lin has become a Laker at the perfect time, as he has still yet to reach his prime and can learn many things from legendary point guard Steve Nash. Also, Kobe Bryant is far enough along his fall from stardom to understand that having the offense run through him is all that matters. Lin has arrived at the right place at the right time. If he takes advantage of this, he is poised to have another one of his exceed all expectations seasons.
The Coach
In his documentary, Linsanity, Jeremy Lin stated that the offense Mike D'Antoni ran during his time as a Knick was "Tailor made" for him. Lin's new coach, Byron Scott, runs a very similar offense. Like D'Antoni, Scott puts high emphasis on the point guard position and encourages an unselfish, high paced offense. Scott used this mentality to coach 2 New Jersey Nets teams to the finals, where they unfortunately lost twice- once to an unstoppable Lakers team and the other to the far superior Spurs. Scott could use Lin the same way he used Jason Kidd in New Jersey- as a high level facilitator and on-court leader. He will not be relied on to score, which will only increase his shot at a breakout season, as Lin works best without high expectations.If Lin is unable to establish his stardom in a system like Scott's, then he is most likely doomed to serve the rest of his career as a role player.
The Fan-base
This might be the only factor not working in the 25 year olds favor. Lakers fans are brutal, and they will expect nothing less than a championship. They will look for an all star caliber contribution from day one, and if Lin cannot provide that then the Lakers will have no choice but to limit his role. There are two ways Jeremy Lin can face this. He can crack under the pressure and whine about how brutal it is to be a Laker like Dwight Howard, or he can look at it as a challenge, as Kobe did when he first became a Laker. If the man who began Linsanity takes all the boos as an opportunity to prove himself, then expect a big money contract this offseason.If not, then expect to see a lot of mad Lakers fans this season.
This might be the only factor not working in the 25 year olds favor. Lakers fans are brutal, and they will expect nothing less than a championship. They will look for an all star caliber contribution from day one, and if Lin cannot provide that then the Lakers will have no choice but to limit his role. There are two ways Jeremy Lin can face this. He can crack under the pressure and whine about how brutal it is to be a Laker like Dwight Howard, or he can look at it as a challenge, as Kobe did when he first became a Laker. If the man who began Linsanity takes all the boos as an opportunity to prove himself, then expect a big money contract this offseason.If not, then expect to see a lot of mad Lakers fans this season.
The Verdict
Lin will have another huge season, and will become a building block in the lakers post- Bryant future. He will learn a lot from the veterans on the Lakers roster and will vastly mature as a player.
Projected stats: 16.5 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 7 assists per game, 1.6 steals steals per game.
Lin will have another huge season, and will become a building block in the lakers post- Bryant future. He will learn a lot from the veterans on the Lakers roster and will vastly mature as a player.
Projected stats: 16.5 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 7 assists per game, 1.6 steals steals per game.