Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, Jeremy Lin stay in communication
As the Houston Rockets tried to clear cap room and dealt point guard Jeremy Lin, a future first round draft pick and a second round draft pick in 2015 to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for in exchange for the rights to Sergei Lishchu, who will likely never play in NBA.
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Most thought it was simply a move to gain assets, but the Lakers say they have been after Lin for some time. Lin is excited to play for the Lakers and believes the communication between he and guard Kobe Bryant will lead to excellent on-the-court chemistry.
“We’d exchange texts,” Lin said of his communication with Bryant via Yannis Koutroupis of Basketball Insiders . “I was in Shanghai at the time, we’ve talked a little bit here or there. The one thing he told me is we have a lot of work to do and I think that’s 100 percent accurate. As long as we come in with that mindset of really having to work and earn everything, I think we’ll be okay.
“I think [the chemistry with Kobe] will be great. I’ve had the opportunity to play with a few really great players. I’ll be able to learn a lot from him; he’s been there, done it and won at the highest level. I’m excited to learn from him, to be honest, and see how he approaches things. I’ve made my own structure and rhythm to what my workouts look like for the season, but I’d like to see what his look like as well.”
Lin averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 44.6% from the field, 35.8% from beyond the arc and 82.3% from the free throw line in 71 games. Bryant appeared in only six games last season, averaging 13.1 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 42.5% from the field, 18.8% from beyond the arc and 85.7% from the free throw line. In his storied career, he has averaged 25.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 45.4% from the field, 33.5% from three and 83.8% from the charity stripe.