Lakers News and Rumors: Jeremy Lin Can Improve Next NBA Season by Doing These Things
If the Los Angeles Lakers and Jeremy Lin have one thing in common, it's this: the need to rebound from a less-than-stellar season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off one of their worst seasons ever, having lost a franchise record 55 games last year, and major changes have been made.
The team introduced new head coach Byron Scott as well. One of the biggest decisions the team made was trading for point guard Lin.
The player that created the media frenzy known as "Linsanity" in 2012 has been an extremely exciting player since he emerged with the New York Knicks, but he isn't perfect. And he's coming off a season where his point production and minutes dropped from the season before.
Many people believe Lin will get a lot of playing time this upcoming season, and he has asked for it. But Lin will have to work on these five things this offseason to ensure a successful NBA season:
1. Dribbling With Left Hand
Lin is capable of making great plays, scoring and passing wise. His basket-attacking abilities are also very high. If Lin is going to help this Lakers team to the fullest, he's going to have to improve his left-handed dribbling. The 25-year-old point guard is an above-average dribbler, but for a point guard on the Lakers, above average won't cut it. If Lin can perfect his dribbling, his offensive game can be almost unstoppable, outside of three point shooting.
2. Listen to Steve Nash
Nash's physical game may be in the past, but he still has the mental attributes of an all-time great point guard. Lin has a great opportunity to learn from Nash, who has the third most assists in NBA history with 10,335. There's a very good chance that Lin will start a lot of games next season, and receiving advice from Nash would be very beneficial. Nash could tell Lin how to operate the Lakers offense efficiently, and when to use the kickout.
3. Learn the System
This will be Lin's fourth NBA team since being signed by the Golden State Warriors in 2010. He's played with a lot of different players, coaches and different systems in different locations. Watching game tape of last year's team is vital for Lin. Lin needs to be on the same page as Kobe Bryant at all times when on the floor. Practices and preseason will be extremely important, so that Lin learns the Lakers basics.
4. Improve Defense
Aside from left-handed dribbling, Lin's offensive game is pretty much set. His defense, however, is going to have to improve if he is going to start for the Lakers on a consistent basis. Although the team no longer has four-time NBA All-Star Pau Gasol, they did bring in Carlos Boozer, who is younger and a better rebounder. The Western Conference is far superior to the Eastern Conference, and the offensive squads are much tougher. Lin is capable of playing good defense, and we've seen him do it before. He just has to execute it consistently.
5. Improve Endurance and Stamina
In his four-year career, Lin has only averaged 27.3 minutes played per game. Only once has he started more than 35 games in a season, which came in the 2012-13 season. Lin has said numerous times he wants more minutes, and if that truly is the case, he better be prepared. Obviously, Nash can't help in this category because of his age, but it's going to be up to Lin to prove to the Lakers coaching staff that he really wants more playing time. A constant dedicated offseason workout and preseason is just what Byron Scott is looking for.
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