Jeremy Lin‘s play this season has been nothing short of disappointing. However, a role on the bench as the leader of the second unit could spark the Lakers to recover from their tumultuous start.
The are historically bad this year. With their loss Tuesday night to the Suns, they are officially off to their worst start in the franchise’s history in Los Angeles. Three more consecutive losses and they’ve set an all-time franchise mark, surpassing the 1957-58 Minneapolis Lakers 0-7 mark to start the year.
Part of the problem for LA is the lack of production outside of Kobe Bryant and, in recent games, Jordan Hill. The biggest problem with the starting unit is the clash of play-styles, namely with Bryant and Lin. Both are ball-dominant guards who have not had successful careers playing off-ball.
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For Lin, his problem lies in his lack of consistency more than anything else. On Tuesday, he came out aggressive and he and Bryant both scored eight points in the first quarter. However, Lin disappeared from the game for the next two quarters, scoring four points and looking like an average point guard at best.
Fourth quarter Lin, however, attacked the rim and looked aggressive again, drawing a handful of fouls and going 6-6 from the line in the final frame. However, if you needed a picture/video of the Lin-Bryant partnership through five games, it came late in the fourth quarter. With every Laker deferring to Bryant on every possession, when Lin couldn’t get Bryant open off a screen, he panicked and forced up a bad shot when the Lakers needed a bucket.
In short, the Lin-Bryant partnership isn’t working.
On paper, it looks like a solid pairing. On the court, there’s too little room and just one ball, limiting both players to less than full effectiveness. The answer? Move one of them off the court.
Not starting Bryant would be insane and out of the question. However, bringing Lin off the bench is not insane and not out of the question. In fact, it was something done with success in the preseason. And it would have many benefits to the Lakers.
Against Phoenix, the Lakers bench was outscored 53-17, albeit against one of the best benches in the league. Nonetheless, you won’t win many games losing a battle like that. Moving Lin to the bench, however, could help supplant that problem. It frees up shots for him to take, with the Lakers lacking scorers off the pine with Nick Young out.
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Flashback even more to the preseason when Lin came off the bench. He seemed more comfortable with the role, dishing out 10 assists in his first game and making the second unit look like a solid bunch. Having Lin leading the way for the second unit also places him against second-string point guards, which he could have more luck against. He’d provide the Lakers a scoring punch when Bryant is out, as well.
Even if he’s not starting, Lin could also finish games as well, which could be the case with his great free throw shooting this year. It would allow both Lin and Bryant to get a rhythm during the game, possibly making them more comfortable to close the game together.
We saw how effective Swaggy P was last year, coming off the bench and dropping in buckets while still playing in the end of games. Lin could have the same type of response off the bench, helping him break out of the slump he appears in right now.
Right now, with the Lakers in search of their first win, anything should be considered, and Lin coming off the bench should be near the top of the list.
Next: Lakers Hall of Famer Questions Jeremy Lin’s Killer Instinct