NBA Los Angeles Lakers

5 Reasons Why Jeremy Lin Will Fail With Los Angeles Lakers

5 Reasons Why Jeremy Lin Will Fail With Los Angeles Lakers

Jeremy Lin
Jayne Kamin Oncea- USA Today Sports

Jeremy Lin’s rise to stardom with the New York Knicks solidified his name in the NBA, and when the time came for Lin to hit the free-agent market, the Los Angeles Lakers pounced on the opportunity to sign him. Coming off a disappointing stint with the Houston Rockets, Lin is looking to bounce back with one of the most storied franchises in the league, but there is the potential that it won’t happen. Here are five reasons why Jeremy Lin will fail.

5. Statistical Decline Since 2012

Jeremy Lin
Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

5. Statistical Decline Since 2012

Jeremy Lin
Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

Since his breakout year with the New York Knicks, Jeremy Lin has seen a steady decline in almost all of his averages. Considering he averaged more minutes playing for the Houston Rockets, Lin hasn’t lived up to the statistical hype he boasted in his first year with the Knicks. It’s hard to imagine this trend suddenly disappearing this season while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

4. Struggles On Defense

Jeremy Lin, Chris Paul
Gary A. Vasquez- USA Today Sports

4. Struggles On Defense

Jeremy Lin, Chris Paul
Gary A. Vasquez- USA Today Sports

As a starting point guard in this league, Jeremy Lin should be averaging far more steals and rebounds. His lack of bulk and speed prevent him from fulfilling these typical duties of a point guard. This also affects Lin’s ability to cover other opposing point guards.

3. Poor Shooter From Beyond The Arc

Jeremy Lin
Andrew Richardson- USA Today Sports

3. Poor Shooter From Beyond The Arc

Jeremy Lin
Andrew Richardson- USA Today Sports

Lin will not be the primary ball-handler in Los Angeles. That duty will belong to Kobe Bryant, which means Lin will have to learn to become a spot-up shooter, especially from beyond the arc. Although Lin’s three-point shooting percentage has increased slightly over the last three seasons, it is still under 36 percent, which doesn’t exactly make him a three-point marksman. Lin’s inaccuracy from beyond the arc will hurt the Lakers' offense.


2. Overpaid On A Team Already Lacking Depth

Jeremy Lin
Jayne Kamin Oncea- USA Today Sports

2. Overpaid On A Team Already Lacking Depth

Jeremy Lin
Jayne Kamin Oncea- USA Today Sports

Lin is due to make .37 million this season from the Los Angeles Lakers. The types of numbers Lin averages aren’t worth what the Lakers are paying him for. This team lacks depth, and if Lin could have come at a cheaper price tag, who knows what kind of role player the Lakers could have added to the roster.

1. Too Much Pressure Starting Alongside Kobe Bryant

Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant
Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

1. Too Much Pressure Starting Alongside Kobe Bryant

Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant
Troy Taormina- USA Today Sports

With the return of Kobe, a lot of pressure will be back on the Los Angeles Lakers to perform well in the Western Conference. With Steve Nash’s career all but over, Lin will have a good chance at starting the majority of the season, and if the team begins losing consecutive games, a lot of the blame could be focused on Lin. The pressure could end up being too much for the young point guard.

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