Kobe to Lin: “…You Run the Offense…”

Kobe knows he can’t be scoring 31 points a night.  Jeremy Lin, Better Off The Bench? (video)” href=”https://lakeshowlife.com/2014/10/30/jeremy-lin-video/”>While Jeremy Lin has a more clearly defined role off the bench, with evidence shown from the preseason, Kobe Bryant demands more of him.

That quote says it all.  As stated in an earlier article, Jeremy Lin thrives in pick-and-roll plays and needs spacing to do it well.  He needs a big man who can screen and finish. He needs shooters around him.

It looks like Kobe Bryant is willing to be the shooter.

Usually, being a catch-and-shoot player isn’t an easy transition for a franchise players. Franchise players are the shot-creators, the playmakers, the isolation kings.  Kobe Bryant has been all three, and he’s giving the keys to Jeremy Lin to run that offense.

The last time this was tried in New York, it wasn’t effective.  Carmelo Anthony and Jeremy Lin have two contrasting styles of play.  Many will say that “Linsanity” was just a phase that couldn’t last a whole season.  I say, it’s winning basketball.  After all, the Utah Jazz ran the pick-and-roll to perfection with Stockton and Malone.  The Phoenix Suns did the same for over a decade with Steve Nash and Jason Kidd.

So why not choose Jeremy Lin?  He looked like an absolute superstar as a New York Knick, but was earth-bound once superstar players were placed on his team.

Jeremy Lin can set the table.  He just needs finishers.  Superstar players are tremendous finishers.  It just so happens that they need the basketball in their hands more often. Kobe Bryant is willing to give it up.

As Kobe Bryant is releasing the responsibility, we as fans are watching the beginning of the transition.  Kobe Bryant knows who he is.  He knows what is best for the team and franchise.  He can spark up the occasional 30-point game, but someone else has to generate the offense.

He just gave Jeremy Lin his new role.

He’s the playmaker.