Lakers' guard Jeremy Lin is not enjoying his time in Los Angeles. On Sunday night, he told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that this season been "one of the toughest situations I've ever been in ever since I've started playing the game of basketball."
Jeremy Lin calls Lakers’ benching ‘toughest situation’ of career
The point guard was removed from team’s staring lineup Sunday and admitted he’s having trouble dealing with the situation.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The quote came in response to Lin losing his starting point guard job to Ronnie Price. Carlos Boozer was also benched by Lakers' coach Byron Scott, in favor of Ed Davis. The changes were announced prior to the Lakers' Sunday night matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, which they lost, 104-87, dropping their record to 5-16.
Lin played just 19 minutes in the loss, recording three points and four assists. Price had three points and three assists in 25 minutes of playing time. Following the game, Lin was asked about Scott’s decision and what he thinks has been the root of the Lakers’ problems.
Jeremy Lin: "We have so much going on. So many new people, coaches, playing with Kobe. Trying to figure out everything, all at once."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 8, 2014 Lin is averaging 11.5 points, 4.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game on the season. He’s shooting 45 percent from the field and 34 percent from behind the three-point line. According to Sherlbune, Lin was told by Scott to “work on being in the right place defensively and creating offensively.”
The Lakers' 111.9 defensive rating is the worst in the league, and, according to NBA.com, that number jumps to 116.5 with Lin on the court. The Lakers are being outscored by 13-7 points per 100 possessions with Lin in the game, the 11th-worst mark in the league among players who play 20 or more minutes per game (via NBA.com).
Scott said he plans on sticking with this new starting lineup for 10-15 games.
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