With Ronnie Price banged up, Jeremy Lin to start at point when Lakers open vs. Rockets
Oct 26, 2014, 9:30 PM EDT
Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Lakers There was some logic behind the seeming madness of Lakers’ coach Byron Scott in talking of starting journeyman Ronnie Price over the superior Jeremy Lin at point guard, as he did in the Lakers last preseason game. First, the starting unit will see the ball in Kobe Bryant’s hands a lot, and Lin is not a guy who does much for a team off the ball. Plus, Lin’s aggressive attacking off the pick-and-roll has shown some chemistry with backup big Ed Davis in the preseason (and without Nick Young until December the Lakers’ bench needs scoring punch).
But alas, injuries have the Lakers changing their plans at the point guard spot. Again.
Price has an injury so Lin will start against his old team the Rockets Tuesday when both teams tip off the NBA season, Byron Scott announced Sunday.
Despite denying it, I have no doubt Lin would love to show Houston what they gave up, but he is likely to have a rough opening game with one of the best defensive point guards in the game, Patrick Beverley, as his opposite number. Rather, look for the Lakers to find ways to exploit James Harden’s defense with Kobe Bryant.
Of course, the focus Tuesday will be on Kobe vs. Dwight Howard. Kobe thinks Howard leaving was a positive the Lakers as a free agent was a positive. Howard is trying to prove he and Harden can lead a team to contention and that he has moved past this Lakers drama. Plus, Lakers fans still hate Howard with a white hot passion.
However, the Lakers maybe outmatched opening night. Lakers.com reporter Mike Trudell lays out the Lakers injury issues this way.
Rough way to start the season.
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- csbanter - Oct 26, 2014 at 9:41 PM
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Lin should have been named starter in the first place after Nash was ruled out. Cmon Byron get it together.
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- arrondior - Oct 27, 2014 at 10:12 AM
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I actually like what Scott was doing. Kobe will be dominating the ball in the first unit and trying to shoot his way back to his old self. With that in mind, its better to have Lin come off the bench with Davis and provide good scoring efficiency for the second team. The coach’s job is to find the best match ups and make sure the team is as efficient as possible and minimize player weaknesses. Lin would be getting the same minutes whether he started or not. Regardless, this should be a good experience for Jeremy, although I don’t think he will be setting the world on fire (he’s an above average point in the league).
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- plansmaker - Oct 27, 2014 at 1:36 PM
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This is deja vu of Jeremy Lin in New York Knicks then Houston Rockets. Now it happens again.
What Byron Scott doing is terribly disrespectful to a very capable starting level NBA point guard, make him play off from the bench. Lin may not be CP3 or Tony Parker yet, but very capable point guard and a perfect team player.
Lakers great Magic Johnson has it right, Jeremy Lin should be the Lakers starting point guard in absence of Steve Nash. Lin is second best player on Lakers squad with Kobe Bryant been the best.
By NBA convention, you pick your best offensive players as starter. Lin is Lakers best point guard by wide margin. Why Scott wants Ronnie Price, a NBA castaway, 4th string PG to start over Lin is very bizarre without conventional logic.
The only rational behind “anybody but Lin” is Kobe Bryant, who may wants to run first unit without Lin been the primary playmaker. Bryant may overruled Byron Scott’s decision to start Lin. If this is the case, Lakers will have a very shaky season from the start.
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- andrewwiggins22 - Oct 26, 2014 at 9:46 PM
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Linsanity is back! From NY, Hou and now to LA!
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- 00maltliquor - Oct 26, 2014 at 9:49 PM
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Should have been the starter from the jump.
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- blogsk3tball - Oct 26, 2014 at 10:49 PM
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Why was this even in question. Lakers already down to 10. Can this get any worse.
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- 00maltliquor - Oct 27, 2014 at 7:06 AM
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It’s like the last two years all over again! Poor Gary Vitti got his work cut out for him.
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- ebecks34 - Oct 27, 2014 at 11:15 AM
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Let’s bet on who will lay down on the bench this season!
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- blue18hutthutt - Oct 27, 2014 at 4:52 PM
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I hate how Lin fans see him not being the starter as some perceived slight against him
It makes sense because he is at his best as the primary ball handler, not playing off-the-ball (which would be putting it lightly with Kobe)
I love Lin but even I’m realistic about his level of talent in the NBA and coming off the bench to lead the 2nd team or a Ginobili type role is really in his best interests
