Lakers Draft Evaluations: Comparing Then & Now
By Nate Edelman
Mar 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) drives the ball around Charlotte Hornets guard Brian Roberts (22) during the first half at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jeremy Lin
NBA Comparison: Zabian Dowdell
Strengths:
“Noticeably has a quick first step… Has nice touch around basket, he’s just very crafty with the ball, excellent at changing direction… He sees a lane and takes it, and he’s not afraid to get fouled… Uses on-ball screens very well with an ability to explode to the hoop, solid handle, above average crossover and shows the ability to split double teams with ease… Can get in the paint and make plays for others…Great awareness and reaction time… Has shown the ability to step up in big games and make clutch plays…”
Weaknesses:
“Lacks a true position… His dribble is too high making it easy for opponents to strip the ball away… Doesn’t seem to have much of a mid-range game, has the ability to shoot the 3 but definitely not a strength… Does not seem confident at all when taking a jump shot, passes on wide open shots at times which he won’t be able to do at the next level… Much more effective spotting up than creating shots off the dribble… Plays in a very weak conference (Ivy League) so his lack of competition and experience on a big stage is a hurdle…”
How accurate was his evaluation?
Linsanity, that one month back in 2012 when Lin looked like a star. That one bizarre month when Lin arrived on the national stage with the help of coach Mike D’Antoni. If Lin didn’t have Linsanity, he may not be in the NBA. After his one month of fame was over, Mike Woodson was hired and Lin was never the same player again. Lin’s WS/48 and PER in his one year with the Knicks were outliers when compared to his other years in the NBA, as Lin finished with a WS/48 of .140 and a PER of 19.9. Lin’s DBPM has also decreased in every year since he has been in the NBA, most recently finishing with -1.3 with the Lakers. Zabian Dowdell, (like Lin) went undrafted and bounced around overseas. Lin may have a similar fate, as his status in the NBA went back down to “uncertain” after his abysmal season in L.A.
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