Newly-acquired playmaker Jeremy Lin could start alongside Kobe Bryant when the Los Angeles Lakers begin their campaign in the upcoming 2014-15 NBA season.
According to NBA analyst Mike Trudell, Lin, who was traded from the Houston Rockets to the Lakers earlier in the offseason, will likely start at point guard for Los Angeles.
Trudell said that aside from Bryant, Lin is the "next most likely starter" for the Lakers, pointing out that the 26-year-old point guard will be a perfect backcourt partner for Bryant, who will be entering his 19th season in the league.
Lin, who will be playing in the final year of his contract that pays him $14.9 million next season, averaged 12.5 points and 4.1 assists in 71 regular-season games with the Rockets last season.
Lakers head coach Byron Scott, who was named to replace Mike D'Antoni this summer, said in a recent interview that he likes what Lin brings to the table for the team. The veteran head coach is confident that Lin has all the tools to become a perfect fit to the system that he is expected to use next season.
"Jeremy is a guy who I like," Scott said of Lin last week via NBA.com. "I coached against him, and I love that he's not afraid of the moment. He doesn't mind taking big shots, and he's very gritty, tough and intelligent. Those are all things I think will fit well with things we're trying to do."
Scott added that Lin's ability to break the defense down would give the Lakers a lot of scoring options next season, while also adding that the former Harvard University standout is the type of player that he is looking for to execute their pick-and-roll plays.
"I love that. He's a triple threat type of player, and can be very effective out of pick and rolls as a result. He can shoot, finish at the rim or make plays for other guys," Scott said of Lin.
Steve Nash, a two-time Most Valuable Player, could also start at point guard next season, but Trudell indicated that Lin won't move to the bench should the veteran point guard get a starting job, listing Lin as the team's starting shooting guard.
Nash, who holds a career average of 14.3 points and 8.5 assists, is still one of the best playmakers in the league, but the 40-year-old guard remains a big question mark for the Lakers after missing 67 games last season due to an ailing back.
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