It is only expected that I make my Spectrum article debut on a subject that I care passionately about. This subject, or rather, person, has (in my life at least), become synonymous with “legend.” I first discovered him at the end of last year, and it’s only safe to say that he spiced up my otherwise cold and dreary winter days. Turning on the television during a Saturday night procrastination break, his agile limbs flashed before my eyes, and the chiseled jawline of his body spun 360s before my eyes. I hear Madison Square Garden erupt, and Mike Breen’s magnetic voice rings through my sound system. “LIN FOR TWO!” That’s right ladies’ and gentlemen – Jeremy Lin.
He swept the city of New York by storm, and the rest is history. Undeniably, “Linsanity” plagued the world; Asians idolized him, and Americans marveled at the underdog. For weeks, Jeremy put up points that established him as a rising star, and his ethnicity only fueled his popularity.
It’s hard not to like the guy; he’s smart (Harvard grad), funny (check out his YouTube vids), athletic, and extremely modest. He blames himself when something goes wrong, and shifts the limelight to the other plays when the Knicks when a game. All in all, a fantastic guy. One who increased Knick merchandise and gross value, and saved a dying team. And then the trade happened.
Walking in the steps of ex-NBA player Yao Ming, Lin has reportedly singed a 27 million deal with the Houston Rockets for 3 years. But many are skeptical about Jeremy’s skills, and question whether the Rockets overpaid the point guard. Expectations for Lin are higher than the usual player, and his preseason shortcomings are reflective of the coming season. In his 5-preseason games, Lin has posted averages of 5.0 points, 6.2 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game. While these numbers are impressive for any point guard during the preseason, for Jeremy, the stakes are infinitely higher.
The critics seemed to be split into two – those who deem him as an overrated player who had his time, and those who perceive him to be a solid point guard who will only improve with experience in the league. Although there are many who would love to see him fail, Lin’s preseason slash line certainly tells another story. He will be a player that overcomes elevated defensive pressure, and become one of the most prominent guards in the league.
To evaluate, Jeremy’s turnovers – one of his biggest problems – have certainly decreased. Compared to an average of 6.2 assists, Lin has turned the ball over just 2.8 times per game, suggesting that he has definitely learned from his mistakes in the NBA. He’s definitely a team player – his assists can attest to that. Bleacher Report states “What this preseason has shown us is that Lin now knows how to find success when his shooting is off. It proves that he is just as capable of facilitating an offense as he is leading a team in points.”
Finally, it seems as though Jeremy Lin has become a rounded player. It’s definitely going to an interesting season.
