Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott has been critical about point guard Jeremy Lin all season long. On Saturday, the former purple and gold enforcer took another dig at Lin, saying the Asian-American star hasn't done anything to surpass incumbent starting playmaker Ronnie Price in terms of toughness.
Scott, known for his physicality during his Showtime Days with the Lakers in the 80s, stressed the 26-year old Lin still hasn't transformed into a tough player, and it may take more time for the Harvard alum to learn to play the game the rough way.
"I'm pretty much one of those guys that believes that you're either tough or you aren't," Scott told the Los Angeles Times after Friday's lost to Utah Jazz, 94-85. "I don't think it's something that you can inherit all of a sudden. You are what you are.
"I'm not saying that [Lin] is soft or anything like that. But Ronnie Price is a tough kid. Period. He's always been that way. I don't think you can make Ronnie anything other than what he is. And I think the same with Jeremy."
Aside from questioning Lin's mettle, Scott also talked about Lin's progress this season and his struggle to become a consistent player on both ends of the floor.
"I don't think he's been great. I don't think he's been terrible either. He's had his moments, but he still has to continue to get to that point where he is playing much more consistent basketball. And that's on both ends of the floor."
Lin, who was acquired by the Lakers in an offseason trade with the Houston Rockets, is averaging at least 10 points and 4 assists in 25 minutes per game this season. He started the 2014-15 NBA season as the Lakers starting point guard, but Scott eventually replaced him with Price to give the team a better defensive starting five.
Lin is earning roughly $15M this season, the final year of the three-year, $25MM deal he signed with the Rockets in 2012, though he's facing uncertainty in next summer's free-agency due to his up-and-down play.
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