Jeremy Lin has been out of a few practices lately with a sprained ankle. Though he has only played two preseason games for the Lakers, it would seem he earned his start out of circumstance. Steve Nash‘s injury from last year is beginning to haunt him once again.
Byron Scott said Steve Nash “didn’t feel quite right” tonight (different from just sitting out due to regular rest).
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 13, 2014
It’s always been more likely that Jeremy Lin would wind up as the PG starter, and you get as much as you can out of Nash off the bench.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 14, 2014
But, Jeremy Lin earned his start because of his play, not just circumstance.
Rewind back to the first preseason game. Yes, Lin shot a miserable 1 of 6 from the field, but also dished out 10 total assists. Five of those assists were directly to Ed Davis from well-executed pick-and-roll plays. Another three assists were handed off to Jordan Clarkson from spot-up three-point shots; a third-option from pick-and-roll play.
Lin looked to be more aggressive with his own scoring the next game. He came through. He knocked down his first shot of the game, a 3-pointer. When he attacked the basket, there was a better sense of timing and floor spacing. During the previous game, defenses were ready in the paint to block his layup attempts. This time, Lin was getting points in the paint and getting to the free throw line.
As an offensive unit, there are times when the Laker team looks lost on the floor. They run a few Horns plays and even one Sideline-Triangle set with limited effectiveness. In order to provide an effective offense, sometimes, executing simple plays can get a team going. This is where Jeremy Lin shines. He excelled under Mike D’Antoni with pick-and-roll play, and has a knack for getting high quality shots from that one play alone. In fact, it doesn’t matter where the screen is set. We’ve seen the screens set from behind the three-point line, along the baseline, and both extreme corners of the court. Lin looked effective from every direction.
Considering his scoring abilities and playmaking abilities, starting Jeremy Lin is a no-brainer decision. While we want to see a healthy Steve Nash for the rest of the season, that possibility seems out of his hands. Lin gives the Lakers an effective, multi-dimensional point guard that can generate offense, while Byron Scott slowly implements elements from the Princeton offense for the team.
Early on, he gives the Lakers the best chance of winning.
What do you think? Should the Lakers continue to try to start Steve Nash? Should Jeremy Lin start and play extended minutes early on?
Please leave comments below.