Last season didn’t end the way Jeremy Lin wanted it to. Lin ended up on the bench in favor of Patrick Beverley and the Houston Rockets were bounced in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers after Damian Lillard’s incredible game-winner in Game 6.
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Fortunately, Lin has been given an opportunity to turn things around as a result of being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Along with returning to his home state, Lin will have a legitimate shot to be the starting point guard next season. Lin talked about the possibility of becoming the starter in Los Angeles after his wax figure unveiling at Madame Tussauds in San Francisco on Thursday:
“There’s a possibility, but again I think one of the things that I have learned in Houston is not necessarily that,” Lin told Lakers Nation. “Watching the way the Spurs did, and watching what Ginobili did, I just think starting is great but that’s a lot lower on my priority list now that I’ve been through it.”
With an often injured Steve Nash and rookie Jordan Clarkson being the only other point guards on the roster, the obvious choice for head coach Byron Scott is to start Lin. Nash could ultimately get the nod to get the season underway, but Lin will likely emerge as the better option if the 40-year-old continues to deal with injury problems.
As for Clarkson, Scott has said that he intends to use the rookie as a combo guard. Clarkson has shown an ability to play both positions while becoming an offensive force in the backcourt.
Last season, Lin averaged 12.5 points and 4.1 assists per game with the Rockets. Lin’s shooting percent was much improved at 35.8 percent from beyond the arc and 82.3 from the charity stripe.
[divide]Lakers Jeremy’s Lin’s Wax Figure, Plus Says He’s A ‘Subplot’ Of Kobe Vs. Dwight
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