During the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the Golden State Warriors Monday night, Jeremy Lin sat on the bench in the game’s closing minutes despite playing well to begin the quarter. Costly turnovers may have led to Lin’s removal as he committed two just before head coach Byron Scott went back with Jordan Clarkson.
— Think You Know Everything About Kobe Bryant? Take The Ultimate Kobe Quiz! —
Following Monday’s game, Lin says he has not talked to Scott about his turnovers according to Los Angeles Daily News’ Mark Medina:
I haven’t talked to him about the turnovers,” Lin said of Scott. “He hasn’t given me feedback on what he wants me to do to be better”
Lin also defended his playing style, via Los Angeles Daily News’ Mark Medina:
It’s a constant push and pull. Everything about the game is a balance,” Lin said. “I can sit there and play safe and not have any turnovers. But that means I won’t be myself as a player. I won’t be making plays that I make. I drive to the rim and to the basket really hard and put my head down. The majority of the time, I feel like something good will happen. But there will be times it won’t. To some degree, you have to live with some of those risks.”
Lin began the season as the team’s starting point guard, but Clarkson has been filling in recently. Since taking over, Clarkson has done well with his game continuing to grow. There’s still the possibility that Scott changes the lineup again before the season ends and puts Lin back in a starting role during the final ten games.
When Lin becomes a free agent after this season, his future with the team is unclear. It would be difficult to see him return as the Lakers seem to be invested in the young Clarkson. Additionally, the Lakers have a protected top-five pick and could draft Emmanuel Mudiay or D’Angelo Russell in June or try to lure Rajon Rondo or Goran Dragic in July when free agency opens.
[divide]Jeremy Lin After Lakers 22 Turnovers, "Everything Seemed Off"
Los Angeles Lakers(96) - Minnesota Timberwolves(103)