Jeremy Lin Must Step Up for Houston Rockets to Be Dominant in 2013-14

During his lone season with the franchise, Jeremy Lin served as a solid if unspectacular point guard for the Houston Rockets. He’s going to need to crank that up a notch if the team is going to be a true powerhouse during the 2013-14 season.

Lin averaged 13.4 points, 6.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds while starting all 82 games last year, but was derailed by injury—and inconsistent play as a result—by the time the playoffs came around.

The Taiwanese-American superstar has the potential to be great, which must be unearthed now that he’s established himself with the organization and will have a full training camp with his teammates.

Aside from having James Harden, Chandler Parsons and most of the 2012-13 supporting cast back for another go, the Rockets made the notable addition of Dwight Howard—who decided to take his talents to H-Town in free agency.

D12 is one of the premier pick-and-roll big men in the modern NBA and should be an excellent running mate for Lin.

When the Harvard product is running the offense, he’s going to need to make quick decisions and get the rest of the team involved from the inside out.

Although Harden—a terrific playmaker in his own right—will likely handle the rock and often run the pick-and-roll with Howard, it’s Lin who will be tasked to drive-and-dish to snipers like Chandler Parsons out on the perimeter.

Due to Lin’s ability to get to the basket and score, he must force defenses to respect that aspect of his game and then start creating opportunities for everyone else.

As evidenced by his time with the New York Knicks and last season in Houston, Lin is at his absolute best when he’s taking what the defense gives him—whether it’s clean looks at the basket, a dump inside to the big man or a dish to the corner for an open trey.

Lin is a multi-dimensional talent that cannot be afraid to get his own buckets, but he must avoid trying too hard to drop dimes on every possession.

The 24-year-old has the experience under his belt, the knowledge and right teammates to transform the Rockets into the NBA’s team to beat.

It’s just a matter of whether or not he can stay healthy, focus his efforts and let his talents blossom during the upcoming campaign. The world will certainly be watching.