Lin-Consistent: Why Jeremy Lin has Struggled and How to Fix It

Nov 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard

(17) falls to the floor during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Lin leads his team with 18 points. The Mavericks defeated the Lakers 140-106. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Lin has been given the keys to the car, but sometimes he prefers to ride shotgun.

As the Lakers starting point guard, acquired from the Houston Rockets in an offseason trade, Lin has struggled this season to find consistency. Some games he’s aggressive, hits open shots and drives to the basket regularly. Other times he hides in the shadows, blends in with the crowd and doesn’t contribute much. The Lakers, already lacking in talent, need Lin to be the floor general and run the offense while he’s in the game. Kobe has publicly and privately been hard on him, but that’s only because he sees potential in Lin’s game. Let’s take a deeper look at the areas he’s struggled in and propose a solution to his woes:

Disappearing Act in the 4th quarter. Lin usually plays a strong first half, getting to the basket, running the offense and hitting open shots. But when the 4th quarter comes around he morphs into a different player. Lin readily defers to Kobe in the half court offense via pass or off-the-ball screen. He doesn’t look to penetrate, run plays or demand his own shot. For defensive purposes, Ronnie Price is a better defender so when Lin isn’t being aggressive it behooves the Lakers to have Price close out games because he’s a pesky defender on-the-ball.

Lack of Aggression. Observe towards the end of close games, Lin literally clams up. He dribbles the ball up court, usually passes it to the top of the key, then screens for Kobe to take a contested shot. If Lin were a threat on offense, defenses couldn’t help on Kobe and he’d probably be wide open for a baseline 3-pointer or back-cut to the basket. Instead Lin slows down the offense to where the defense can predict Kobe will get the ball and is satisfied spectating. Lin is most effective when he initiates an uptempo game whether on a fast break or in the half-court. When Lin is not aggressive during crunch time, it’s questionable why he’s ending games.

Whipping Boy. Throughout his career his superstar teammates find it acceptable to yell at him. Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and now Kobe Bryant. Lin doesn’t have a confrontational personality which isn’t the point, but he appears to be a doormat at times. Lin needs to assert himself at those times and earn the respect of his peers. His stats so far this season are: 12.5 points, 5.1 assists and 85% from the line. That’s nothing to scoff at, yet his assist to turnover ratio is a bit under 2 to 1 proving his decision making ability hasn’t been stellar. In post-game interviews his mood is usually somber. He’s good at articulating where he can improve, but his body language communicates a lack of confidence. It even carries over in games where referees don’t give him the benefit of the doubt because of his emotional reactions after calls. It’s almost like the officials don’t respect him. It’s a theme that has to stop if he’s to be successful in L.A.

So with that evidence, what’s the solution?

Simple. Penetration.

When Lin penetrates on offense he’s a better player. Think back to Linsanity in New York where he had scoring bursts with driving to the basket as the catalyst. He’s a good passer, but an even better slasher with the ball. When Lin slows down and walks the ball up-court defenses can get set and he’s ineffective. Instead even after a made bucket by the opponent, he needs to either get in the lane by himself or call for a high pick-and-roll to get near the basket. Lin’s strength isn’t to initiate the offense by passing, his game is based on speed and moving without the ball to hit open shots. When Lin doesn’t move, his game becomes stale. That’s why penetration is the starting point for all good things when it comes to Lin. He’s a much more aggressive defender when he’s contributing on offense. Kobe is a willing passer when teammates cut to open spots and don’t watch him. So far Nick Young is the only teammate Kobe trusts in the clutch because Swaggy wants the ball. Lin is a solid 3-point shooter and great in the pick-and-roll, but he’s got to stay aggressive in the 4th to enhance winning basketball. As a Harvard graduate, so far it’s been mental mistakes that have hurt Lin the most in the crucial minutes. He’s capable, but the question is: is he willing?

Only Lin can answer that. Not with his words, but only by his actions on the court. The Lakers need Lin to be a steady contributor on a nightly basis for the Lakers to get back into playoff contention.