It looks like Jeremy Lin is going to get a one-year try out. In that one year, he needs to show that he’s a solid, consistent starter, and is willing to accept a solid offer from the Lakers. The Lakers are showing interest in multiple free agents, but the latest rumor is Goran Dragic or Eric Bledsoe.
Report: Lakers Likely Making ‘Hard Run’ at Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic http://t.co/REhsLkn1Ta. pic.twitter.com/ezQ52TFQjy
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) September 3, 2014
Goran Dragic is more of a cerebral point guard. He executes half-court sets well, pushes in transition, and is a very capable passer and shooter. He had a lot of development in Phoenix, which seems to be a point guard school. Great NBA players have come through that program. Kevin Johnson, Jason Kidd, and Steve Nash were all elite point guards. The latest development of Dragic and Bledsoe shows the continuing trend.
Eric Bledsoe isn’t as polished of a point guard as Dragic. He is a capable shooter behind the arc, but his NBA talent is based around is otherworldly athleticism. There are a handful of point guards that can keep up with him in terms of speed, quickness, and explosiveness altogether. He put up huge numbers while developing his point guard skills.
The NBA game has become a game of quickness and speed. Teams that can’t play physical defense need to rely on speed to force turnovers and dictate tempo.
The Lakers are trying to be a part of that trend. It started with the Mike D’Antoni hire, but he didn’t have the roster to execute his game plan the best. The Lakers acquired Jeremy Lin, who likes to play at 100 miles per hour and attack the basket at will. He’s a very talented player, but it seems the Lakers are looking for a more permanent solution.
While Dragic or Bledsoe would be tremendous free agent acquisitions, the focus should be based around a more consistent scorer. Kobe Bryant isn’t expected to average 27 points per game like he did in the past. Giving Jeremy Lin a great target in the paint or perimeter would be a solid foundation to build on.
The Phoenix Suns often ran with Dragic and Bledsoe on the floor at the same time. The dual-point guard set up was very effective in the half-court set, as well as getting out in transition. The skills and speed are there on the floor. Maybe Jeremy Lin will get a shot next to Eric Bledsoe? Who knows.
In any case, it looks like they want to start at the point guard spot and take it from there.