Analyzing Why Jeremy Lin Will Struggle to Succeed with Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets dropped a boatload of money on restricted free-agent point guard Jeremy Lin this summer and will now look to lean upon Linsanity in 2012-13 in order to reach the postseason.

Although it's debatable whether Lin is an NBA superstar after just 25 starts in the league, it is not nearly as uncertain that he will face hardship next season with the world watching his every move.

Let's analyze why Lin will struggle to recreate the magic of Linsanity with the Houston Rockets. 

Plays Out of Control

What made Linsanity great last season in New York was the entertainment factor that Lin brought to every game he played in. Whether he was pulling up for a dagger three-pointer or making an incredible drive to the basket, Lin was perfectly out of control and playing the game as if he was fooling around with friends at a local court.

Despite averaging 6.2 assists per night last season with the Knicks, Lin threw the ball away nearly four times per game. 

Lin's assist/turnover ratio of 1.71 last season ranked 40th among all qualified NBA point guards and was worse than both former Rockets point guards Kyle Lowry and Goran Dragic. Only four other qualified NBA point guards finished the season with a worse ratio.

Lin also shot 32 percent from three-point range last season, hitting just 24 of his 75 attempts.

Lin's style of play is his biggest strength at times, but next season in Houston, he will need to show restraint if he and the Rockets are to have any shot at success.

Lack of a Dependable Superstar

Jeremy Lin will not have a Carmelo Anthony or Amar'e Stoudemire to bail him out when he gets into trouble in Houston. The Rockets have not had a reliable superstar on their roster since the days of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming.

Instead of going after a big-time scorer in free agency, Houston opted to pay Omer Asik more than $8 million next season to rebound and protect the paint. Asik joins Lin now among the top-three highest-paid players on the team's roster heading into 2012-13. 

The highest-paid player on the Houston Rockets' squad is Kevin Martin. The 29-year-old started 40 games for Houston last season, averaging 17.1 point per game. Unfortunately, Martin's team-leading scoring came at a cost. He shot 41.3 percent from the field in 2011-12 and under 35 percent from beyond the arc.

Although Houston diehards would rank Martin among the NBA's top shooting guards, he is a bit above average, and nowhere near superstar-caliber. 

Surrounded by Youngsters

Lin is only 23 years old, but that's nothing compared to the incredible amount of youth on Houston's roster. The Rockets drafted two 20-year-olds in Jeremy Lamb and Terrence Jones in the first round of June's draft and will bring 21-year-old big man Donatas Motiejunas over from Europe this upcoming season.

None of the three have any NBA experience and will need to be a part of the Rockets' rotation if they are to capitalize on their investments and contend in the Western Conference. 

As of now, the oldest player on Houston's roster is Kevin Martin (29), meaning that leadership will not be the Rockets' strong suit in 2012-13. If Lin struggles early on, which is a very real possibility given the disparity of talent out West, then the lack of veteran presence in Houston could cause Linsanity to implode by season's end.

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