DOES LIN DESERVE AN NBA CONTRACT?
Guard, 32, averaged 19.2 points, 6.4 assists for Santa Cruz
Former NBA guard Jeremy Lin was minutes removed the Santa Cruz Warriors’ season-ending loss in the NBA G League semifinals Tuesday night when he let the question sink in. Did he think he had done enough?
It wasn’t a game question, it was a big-picture question. Did he think he had done enough to warrant a return to the NBA?
“It doesn’t matter what I think,” said Lin, after scoring 20 points vs. Lakeland with a plus-8 rating Tuesday, both team highs. “It’s about other people breaking down what happened here, what I did, and what they think. It’s not in my hands, but I’m proud of the fact I was able to put my best foot forward.”
Lin announced in mid-September that he was leaving the Chinese Basketball Association’s Beijing Ducks — and his $3 million salary — to chase his dream of returning to the NBA. In January, he signed with the NBA G League’s Warriors, hoping to open the eyes of NBA executives in the Orlando bubble. He wanted to show his game was more than sufficient and that he could make contributions at the world’s highest level — even at age 32.
Limited to 11 games this season due to back tightness, Lin reached double digits in scoring nine times and scored 20 or more points six times. The nine-year NBA veteran and former NBA
champion averaged 19.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 3.7 turnovers.
He finished the regular season ranked seventh in the league in points per game and fourth in assists per game.
And there was more than what appeared on the stat sheet. Teammate Isaiah Reese said Lin’s leadership and mentorship was invaluable.
“He’s just a good leader out there,” Reese said ahead of the playoffs. “Him being on the team is helping all of us.”
Lin did everything within his power to remain a viable contributor on the court during the COVID-19 shortened season. His off-court therapy included stretching, pool and ice bath sessions, and cupping treatments, among others. During games, camera crews captured Lin wearing an oversized electronic belt used for back treatment when he was on the bench.
The visual begged another question: After missing 40% of the regular-season game in the abbreviated season, did Lin return to the court at less than full strength as a last-ditch effort to impress?
Warriors coach Kris Weems paused when asked if Lin returned to the court at less than 100%.
“My take on it is, at 32 and with a lot of mileage, nobody’s 100% at that point,” Weems said. “And he’s had to fight through some back issues.
“The thing that’s 100% is up here,” Weems said, touching his head with his right index finger. “His brain and then his heart. He believes he can can still play and he showed it. He showed he can still play. “
Lin was also asked if he returned to the court too early. His answer was no.
“Honestly, I feel great right now,” he said. “This is our fourth game in five nights. The first thing Axel (Toupane) said to me is ‘How are your legs tonight?’ Four games in five nights, guys are going to feel it. For what I felt it was, I actually felt pretty good. I felt like I was moving pretty well. My body feels great right now.”
Lin may have lost a step from yesteryear, but he has incorporated years of experience to create space and opportunities on offense. On defense, he employed similar tactics to guard faster and younger players.
“Down to the core of who I am, I feel like I’m a playmaker and I care and contribute to winning,” Lin said of what he can offer an NBA team. “And that’s what it’s about. That’s it, both ends of the floor.”
Did he do enough? Time will tell if he lands a 10-day contract to further showcase his skills. As of Wednesday morning, 16 NBA teams had at least one vacancy on their 15-player roster opening, according to hoopsrumors.com.
Either way, Lin is content with his G League showing. In addition to trying to audition for NBA brass, Lin also said he wanted to help his team win games and have fun in Orlando. Mission accomplished, he confirmed Tuesday night.
“I really was on a team that was all about the team — and I loved that,” Lin said. “I don’t want to play on teams anymore where it’s not about the team, it’s not about winning, it’s not about playing basketball and rooting for the guy next to you. We did that here and I’ll lose in the semis with them any day, any night because that’s how basketball is supposed to be. You don’t always see that in the G League.”
Now the waiting game begins, though Lin has plenty to keep him occupied.
He runs a basketball school with more than 10,000 students in China, has a signature shoe and apparel line, and has his named attached to foundations in both the U.S. and overseas.
“I got a lot going on,” he said.
He also plans to get further involved in social justice issues, particularly involving Asian-American issues in the Bay Area, and philanthropic work.
“It’s just waiting and see if teams feel like I deserve or played well enough to be part of their organization,” he said.