In hindsight, we all probably should have seen this coming.
After all, this hasn't been the first time that Jeremy Lin did something like he did in front of a stunned and energized crowd.
His team's best player, James Harden, on the shelf for the night? Check.
Facing a deep and talented team with a bevy of star power? Check.
Being faced with the reality of having to step up or be stepped on as his team's best scoring chance? Check.
The venue may have changed, but the story that made fans around the world fall in love with Lin was the same as "Linsanity" took off--for real, this time--in Houston on Monday.
After getting off to a turbulent start to the season, averaging just above 10 points for most of this season, the line was stunning for Lin at the end of Monday night--38 points, seven assists, three rebounds, two steals, and two blocks over 42 minutes of play.
A 51 percent shooting average from the field. A perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line. Going 4-for-5 from downtown three-point territory.
The Spurs ultimately prevailed in that 134-126 overtime thriller, in part thanks to Lin's rival point guard counterpart Tony Parker's first career triple-double, but the message that Lin sent to his teammates and to the rest of the league was loud and clear:
"Linsanity" was far from dead.
Prior to Monday's game, critics had been openly vocal regarding Lin's sub par start, the 24-year-old point guard visibly struggling with his shots this season with a shooting average in the 30s through 19 games in Houston.
And while he averaged well above 20 points during several parts of his now-legendary February stretch in New York, finishing up with 14.6 points for the 2011-12 season, Lin's average of just over 10 points a game this season--now 11.3 thanks to his performance Monday--was a far cry from what fans were expecting when he arrived amid much fanfare and effort by Rockets front management during the offseason in July.
And there was endless speculation as to what was causing Lin's scoring woes, as well.
Could he not play as well with Harden now part of the team? Was his surgically repaired meniscus in his left leg affecting his game more than he was letting on? Worse--was the scoring display he put on in New York a fluke?
At least one of those questions appeared to have been dispelled on Monday thanks to Lin's phenomenal game at the Toyota Center, which, while a losing effort, likely felt like a victory for Rockets fans in some ways...the most important one, being that Lin could indeed still bring a big time game while wearing a Houston Rockets uniform.
It was a game that was eerily reminiscent of one of Lin's hallmark games last season--which was another 38-point outburst against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 10. Specifically, 38 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and two steals.
The comparisons can't be ignored.
Like in the February showcase Lin put on at the Garden, Lin was driving to the basket on Monday, attacking the hoop with fervor and purpose. Like he did against the Lakers, Lin's shot was falling well, connecting on 13-of-23 shooting. And in another key stat, Lin got to the free throw line often that night, netting 10 of 13 free throws.
Noticeably, Lin's shot numbers have declined in Houston, with Lin opting to pass out to his teammates instead of creating his own shot. But perhaps this is not the formula that the Rockets need.
Whether it is a self-confidence thing that had made Lin limit his shooting, a mechanics problem that he needed to fix in his shooting, or an adjustment thing as he continues to learn how to play with Harden, it's no longer of any consequence.
Ultimately, for the Rockets to get to where they need to go--the playoffs, a chance to compete for the Southwest Division crown--Lin must be willing to take the lead on offense more often.
Rockets Coach Kevin McHale says he wants to get the ball in Lin's hands more, even with Harden on the floor, in order to get Lin going.
And perhaps more importantly, Lin must learn how to be consistent of the offensive side of the floor. So far, he hasn't looked comfortable out on the floor this season, specifically when trying to find the range from the floor.
"For me, it's been a work in progress," Lin told the Chronicle. "If you saw my shot my rookie year, you'd see how long I've come. For me, it's a matter of believing, continuing to believe in the shot and in the work we put in in the summer. Those (points of emphasis) are little adjustments, like following through, or snapping your wrist. I wouldn't consider them a tweak. More a reminder thing. I know I'm supposed to do it, but I get away from it."
Regardless of that, Lin has shown emphatically that he can be as explosive a scorer as Harden. Now, the ball is in his court as to whether he will be.
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