I might be one of the few people out there that still think Jeremy Lin is a good player.
After Linsanity died out last season, I was still Linsane. I did and still do believe that Super Lintendo is a legitimate NBA point guard. Many people, unlike me, didn't originally buy in to Jeremy Lin. Many people thought he was just a sports comet that came into view and would soon disappear in the sports universe.
Lin was scary good for the New York Knicks last season until he got injured and ended up missing the rest of the season including the playoffs. Then, the Houston Rockets offered him a big contract and he was gone just as quickly as he appeared in New York.
Many people think he didn't deserve the contract, or at least couldn't live up to expectations. And I challenge them saying WHY NOT?! Or why can't he? I have friends that doubt he is even an average player, let alone a good one.
First, lets look at his stats. Lin this season is averaging 12.6 points, 6.2 assist, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 2.9 turnovers per game. He is also shooting 43% from the floor and 79% from the line. Good stats right? Not the flashiest of numbers but very solid. He has averaged that while playing 32.7 minutes per game. He has played in and started every game this season so far: 55/55. And your telling me he's not good?
Let's look at last year's stats during his brief and electrifying stint in the Big Apple. On Feb. 4, 2012, Jeremy Lin made a big impression on the basketball world. He clocked 36 minutes against the then New Jersey Nets and shot 53% from the field. He scored 25 points and logged 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and only 1 turnover. From there he would go on to record in the next 12 games:
After Linsanity died out last season, I was still Linsane. I did and still do believe that Super Lintendo is a legitimate NBA point guard. Many people, unlike me, didn't originally buy in to Jeremy Lin. Many people thought he was just a sports comet that came into view and would soon disappear in the sports universe.
Lin was scary good for the New York Knicks last season until he got injured and ended up missing the rest of the season including the playoffs. Then, the Houston Rockets offered him a big contract and he was gone just as quickly as he appeared in New York.
Many people think he didn't deserve the contract, or at least couldn't live up to expectations. And I challenge them saying WHY NOT?! Or why can't he? I have friends that doubt he is even an average player, let alone a good one.
First, lets look at his stats. Lin this season is averaging 12.6 points, 6.2 assist, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 2.9 turnovers per game. He is also shooting 43% from the floor and 79% from the line. Good stats right? Not the flashiest of numbers but very solid. He has averaged that while playing 32.7 minutes per game. He has played in and started every game this season so far: 55/55. And your telling me he's not good?
Let's look at last year's stats during his brief and electrifying stint in the Big Apple. On Feb. 4, 2012, Jeremy Lin made a big impression on the basketball world. He clocked 36 minutes against the then New Jersey Nets and shot 53% from the field. He scored 25 points and logged 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and only 1 turnover. From there he would go on to record in the next 12 games:
Opponent Jazz Wizards Lakers Timberwolves Raptors Kings Hornets Mavericks Nets Hawks Heat Cavaliers | Points 28 23 38 20 27 10 26 28 21 17 8 19 | Assists 8 10 7 8 11 13 5 14 9 9 3 13 | Rebounds 2 4 4 6 2 5 2 4 7 2 6 5 | FG% .588 .646 .565 .333 .450 .667 .444 .550 .389 .545 .091 .500 |
All of these games were in February. In that month, starting with his breakout game against the Nets, he averaged 22.3 points, 9 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game and shot 48% from the floor.
In March, he played 13 more games and averaged 14.6 points, 6.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals per game and he shot 43% from the field. The Knicks went 19-7 with Lin running the offense before he got injured in March.
Now those are some very good stats. Yes, he did have A LOT of turnovers. But remember, he was playing with a team without Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. The Knicks were fielding a team with Landry Fields, Steve Novak, Toney Douglas, Tyson Chandler, Jared Jeffries, and Bill Walker playing major minutes. Please tell me how that team went 19-7 in 26 games? Oh yeah, JEREMY LIN.
Many people were very critical of Lin's turnovers. But I think everyone is overlooking one major piece of information. Jeremy Lin can still be considered a rookie! Lin has only started 80 games in his career and has played in 119 total games.He is only averaging 25.4 minutes per game in his career and he is 24 years old. He does not have a lot of experience and yet people are over critical with his play. He is averaging good stats for a rookie. He's a rookie who had to figure it out on his own in New York last season.
And finally, many considered great players in any sport to be someone that can elevate the play of those around them. These players help their teams win games and simply play better overall. And that's exactly what Lin did in New York last year and is doing so in Houston now. Lin came in last season and made an immediate and palpable impact. He started the Knicks on a 7 game win streak. And now, Houston is in position to make the playoffs (with credit also due to James Harden of course).
Jeremy Lin is a good player and better than most people realize. He may not be the flashiest, the biggest, or the most charismatic, but he is making an impact on the stat sheet and on the court.
So to answer my own question, no, I am not Linsane.
In March, he played 13 more games and averaged 14.6 points, 6.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals per game and he shot 43% from the field. The Knicks went 19-7 with Lin running the offense before he got injured in March.
Now those are some very good stats. Yes, he did have A LOT of turnovers. But remember, he was playing with a team without Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. The Knicks were fielding a team with Landry Fields, Steve Novak, Toney Douglas, Tyson Chandler, Jared Jeffries, and Bill Walker playing major minutes. Please tell me how that team went 19-7 in 26 games? Oh yeah, JEREMY LIN.
Many people were very critical of Lin's turnovers. But I think everyone is overlooking one major piece of information. Jeremy Lin can still be considered a rookie! Lin has only started 80 games in his career and has played in 119 total games.He is only averaging 25.4 minutes per game in his career and he is 24 years old. He does not have a lot of experience and yet people are over critical with his play. He is averaging good stats for a rookie. He's a rookie who had to figure it out on his own in New York last season.
And finally, many considered great players in any sport to be someone that can elevate the play of those around them. These players help their teams win games and simply play better overall. And that's exactly what Lin did in New York last year and is doing so in Houston now. Lin came in last season and made an immediate and palpable impact. He started the Knicks on a 7 game win streak. And now, Houston is in position to make the playoffs (with credit also due to James Harden of course).
Jeremy Lin is a good player and better than most people realize. He may not be the flashiest, the biggest, or the most charismatic, but he is making an impact on the stat sheet and on the court.
So to answer my own question, no, I am not Linsane.