Jeremy Lin: Knicks Star PG Must Improve to Reach Stardom

New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin had an outstanding 2011-2012 NBA campaign, taking the league by storm. The Harvard product came out of nowhere to reach supreme notoriety, not only for the New York Knicks, but league-wide.

In looking at the stats, Lin's popularity is completely warranted. In his first season as a starting point guard in the NBA, Lin logged nearly 27 minutes per game. In that time, he averaged over 14 points and six assists per game, showing his ability to contribute offensively. 

More than just the stats, Lin is a respectable, likable guy. He is a media darling that is very hard to dislike. However, despite the solid stats and great personality, he still needs to improve in some areas to reach stardom.

The first area of his game that needs to be addressed is his outside shooting. His three-point percentage was relatively low for a guard, at 32 percent. Imagine if Lin had an outside shot that made defenders think twice about playing off him. It would open up even more driving opportunities, thus increasing Lin's point and assist production.

While 32 percent is not horrible, it is a part of his game that would make him a certified star. Proving he can consistently knock down threes would add another dimension to his game that would give defenders fits.

Furthermore, Lin needs to cut down on turnovers to become a star in the NBA. It can be pointed out that several established stars have more turnovers per game than Lin, but they also have more points and assists which contribute to the score.

When pressure is increased, Lin begins to turn the ball over more. At nearly four turnovers a game, if he were able to slash that total in half, his game would be unbelievable. 

If Lin is to cut down on turnovers and add a more consistent long-range jumper to his arsenal, his stardom is guaranteed. Lin is a rare talent that combines skill, humility and the underdog status that gets fans behind him.

Time will tell how big Lin's stardom could be.