Jeremy Lin revealed through a video posted on Instagram that he is working on his defense in the hope of helping the Los Angeles Lakers bounce back in the upcoming 2014-15 NBA season.
Lin, who was acquired by the Lakers in an offseason trade with the Houston Rockets, is expected to play heavy minutes for Purple and Gold next season. And with new coach Byron Scott putting emphasis on defense, Lin said that he wants to respond to the challenge.
"This offseason I have been working really hard on my defense, footwork, and explosiveness," Lin posted on Instagram. "A huge component that I needed to work on is my core stability (having good posture, being able to stay low in my defensive stance, and being able to stay balanced while absorbing contact). Only 19 days left till training camp...can't wait to get back on the court."
Lin, who averaged 12.5 points to go along with 4.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds for the Rockets last season, could be the Lakers' starting point guard in the upcoming season, especially if Steve Nash remains unhealthy.
Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders recently said that while the Lakers failed to acquire a big-name free agent this offseason, Lin's acquisition could work well for them in the upcoming season.
"Although the Los Angeles Lakers failed to catch one of the big fish from last July's free agency school, they managed to salvage quite a bit. The acquisition of Jeremy Lin is a low-cost, high-reward proposition, as the point guard position has been a void on this roster for quite some time," Hamilton wrote.
Basketball Insiders also pointed out that Lin is in a very good position heading into his contract year, saying that the 26-year-old point guard will benefit from the trade that sent him to the Lakers.
"Jeremy Lin is in the unique position of being in a contract year with an opportunity to lead one of the NBA's 'Glamor Franchises' as it attempts to rise from the ashes all while during the comeback and literal Swan song of the one of the more beloved players in the organization's history," Basketball Insiders noted. "If that doesn't make for a grand stage for a free-agent-to-be, we aren't sure what might."
