New Lakers star Jeremy Lin arrives in Los Angeles

Mitch Kupchak introduces Jeremy Lin / Photo: Oliver Petalver

El Segundo, Calif. – With the Linsanity of his New York Knicks days behind him, and with his subsequent two-year stint in Houston now completed, Jeremy Lin has come back home to California, specifically, to the Los Angeles Lakers, following a trade between Houston and the Lakers.

At his introductory press conference with the media Thursday at the Toyota Sports Center, Lin's enthusiasm was obvious, as he stated that he is “100%” ready to take on his new role as part of the Los Angeles Lakers organization.

Lin expressed his excitement at becoming a Laker and playing before “such an incredible fan base.”  Lin appeared equally enthused about playing alongside and learning from one of the best point guards of all time in Steve Nash, as well global icon Kobe Bryant.

When The Daily Sports Herald asked Lin whether he grew up emulating Kobe or Nash, Lin smiled before stating he “definitely didn’t try to emulate Kobe because his skillset is clearly different.”

“I don’t think I have ever shot a fade-away jumper from the mid-post, ever,” joked Lin, comparing his game to Bryant's.  He noted, however, that “anybody who wins, and wins as much as he (Bryant) does, definitely has a mental edge on everybody else. I think that is something that I would love to learn.”

Lin believes that most fans don't appreciate the psychological challenges of playing at the highest level. “I don’t think people fully understand how much of a mental game professional sports are, or sports in general.”

Lin believes his own game has benefited from an improved mentality, and on a personal level, this has translated into making him a stronger person spiritually.  As a result, he is better able to deal with the pressures and anxieties he confronts on and off the court.

Jeremy Lin takes questions / Photo: Oliver Petalver

Learning exactly what it takes to win at the highest level is something Lin said he looks to gain from Bryant. "I have a lot of respect for him," said Lin.

With respect to Nash, Lin said he looks to learn a little of everything from his colleague, including how to take care of his body, be more aggressive, and be more efficient.

“One of the things that I will watch with Nash a lot is the off foot lay-ups, and just picking up on his left hand passing, the way that he reads pick and rolls, and the timing of his pass,” said Lin.

Lin admitted his tendency to take an extra dribble on the timing of his pass, while noting that Nash gets the ball out “at the right time.”

Playing alongside Steve Nash “maybe as an off guard, or somewhere where the ball is constantly moving, and he or I are pushing the pace, I think that will be really fun.”

Lin has already shared several back and forth text messages with Bryant, and has known and collaborated with Nash previously during a soccer charity game in L.A. and a YouTube video shoot.

A big weight off his shoulders, Lin said, was having placed the entire Linsanity craze behind him. “That is very important for me as a player . . .  I am not trying to recreate Linsanity.”

GM Mitch Kupchak and new Laker Jeremy Lin / Photo: Oliver Petalver

Lin indicated he is at his best when he plays in “attack mode” all of the time. He expressed confidence that he now knows what he wants to accomplish as a player and how to play the right way.  “I think as long as I can do that, I can hold my head up high and be proud of myself,” said Lin.

The first preseason home game at Staples Center for the Los Angeles Lakers is scheduled for October 9th, 2014, against the Golden State Warriors.

“I will be there if everything goes as planned, healthy and on the court. Hopefully I get to play right away,” said Lin.

He then added with a chuckle, “I don’t plan on delaying it, or showing up fashionably late. I think I am going to try to be there on time October 9th.”

By Felix I. Hernandez
Contributor to TheDailySportsHerald.com