Jeremy Lin Could Play Best Basketball of Career with Lakers

Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin believed he hasn't reached his peak yet, stressing he's still about to reach his prime.

In an interview with Basketball Insider Alex Kennedy, the 25-year old Lin insisted that he's still developing into a better basketball player despite seeing his career go up-and-down during his stay with the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets.

"I definitely don't think I'm close to my prime yet [...] I think because of the way things have happened, people always think I'm older [...] I guess people have been very quick to write me off just because they saw how it started and then they saw what I was like in Houston, but I have to just keep reminding myself it's a marathon," Lin told Kennedy.

Lin, who averaged 12 points and 4 assists in a reserved role for the Rockets last season, could get major playing time under head coach Byron Scott at the point guard, especially with the 40-year old Steve Nash trying to preserve his body for the tough grind next season.

However, despite getting the vote of confidence from his coach, Lin believed he could learn a ton of things from Nash and Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant to further sharpen his game.

"It's really exciting," Lin said of playing with Bryant and Nash. "What can't you learn from them? People have been asking that question a lot, and it's kind of, like, I want to learn everything. Kobe is a little different just because he's a different position, but there's just so much from a mental aspect and from like a recovery standpoint and so many different things like footwork [that he can teach me]."

"There are things that both of them can teach me, so I'm actually really, really excited. I'm hoping our team gets out there early or something before camp so I can start spending more time with them right away."

In his recent interview, Scott really expressed his enthusiasm of finally mentoring what he considers one of the fiercest competitors and most intelligent basketball players in the game in Lin.

"The thing I like about Jeremy is that he's feisty," Scott said. "He's tough. He competes. I've coached against him in a number of games, so I know how he is. He's a competitor. The point guard position in this league today, on the defensive end, is vital."

"Guys don't have to be great one-on-one defenders, but they have to go after you. They have to just continue to be persistent at that end of the floor. I think Jeremy is like that, and offensively, obviously he can shoot the ball, he can push the ball up and down the floor, he gets to the basket and he's a very, very intelligent basketball player. After coaching against him for a few years, it's going to be fun to coach him."

Acquired by the Lakers in a trade with the Houston Rockets last July, Lin will play a big role for the new-look Lakers, which also have veterans like Carlos Boozer, Ed Davis, Nick Young, Xavier Henry, Wesley Johnson and rookies Jordan Crawford and Julius Randle.

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