Jeremy Lin Says Houston Rockets Will Contend For NBA Title With The Entry Of Dwight Howard

Jeremy Lin predicted that the Houston Rockets will be a serious title contender in the upcoming 2013-14 NBA season with the entry of superstar center Dwight Howard.

Lin, who has been working out with Howard under the guidance of Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon, said that Howard will give the team a different dimension on both ends of the floor. He believes that as long as Howard can fit into their puzzle, the Rockets will be a force to reckon with next season.

"I think Dwight Howard himself is already pretty deadly of a player," Lin said in an ESPN report. "For us, it's just a matter of getting on the same page and buying into the system, and I think adding Howard as a piece to the puzzle, it's incredible. I think we're all extremely excited and we know what we have, and he looks healthy, he looks explosive, and he's looking better and better in terms of recovering from his back surgery."

Howard bolted from the Los Angeles Lakers and signed a four-year, $88 million contract with the Rockets. With Howard and James Harden leading the Rockets along with a deep supporting cast, the Rockets are expected to improve significantly next season.

On the other hand, Lin is also expected to make up for his disappointing performance last season.

The 25-year-old point guard, who signed a three-year deal worth $25.1 million that was not matched by his former team New York Knicks last year, failed to duplicate "Linsanity" in Houston.

Lin admitted that tremendous pressure affected him last season. But with the addition of Howard, Lin agreed to Olajuwon's previous notion that he will play more pressure-free in the upcoming season.

"The majority of the pressure is leaning on other guys, and it's going to give me a little bit more space and a little bit more freedom to be able to just be myself, and I think that's something that I'm looking forward to for sure. For me, I have high expectations for myself, and in no way was I satisfied with my year last year. But the fact that other people think it was a disappointing season to me is somewhat of a compliment that they think I might be able to do more," said Lin, who averaged 13.4 points and 6.1 assists per game last season.