Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott appears to have no plans lifting off the hard cap on Jeremy Lin's playing time despite already losing superstar Kobe Bryant with a season-ending injury.
With Bryant out of the season with a torn rotator cuff, Scott has shifted its focus on developing young talents by inserting second-year forward Ryan Kelly and rookie playmaker Jordan Clarkson to his new starting lineup.
Clarkson, a 6-foot-5 combo guard taken in the second round out of Missouri, is putting up encouraging numbers in his first three starts, averaging at least 12 points and 3 assists in 30 minutes per game. The rookie recently recorded a career-high 18 points along with three assists and three rebounds in a 98-92 loss to the Washington Wizards.
Clarkson's development has become Scott's main focus for the remainder of the season with the Lakers not anymore in playoff contention. However, as Clarkson continues to pile up more mileage, Lin's playing time keeps going south as well.
Averaging at least 10 points and 4 dimes per game, the 26-year old Lin is still the best offensive weapon the Lakers have outside Bryant. Although his numbers are definitely disappointing this season, USA Today writer Adi Joseph thinks Lin is capable enough to lead the Lakers in the second-half of this season and save it from becoming downright pathetic.
"Lin is the player the Lakers need right now, need if they're going to stay competitive with a roster that looks like a No. 8 seed's bench. He's not Bryant, but he is more amenable and humble, and letting him run the show could open things up for big men Jordan Hill, Ed Davis and Tarik Black," according to Joseph.
Unfortunately, Scott has already made up his mind. Barring injury, Clarkson will continue to be the Lakers' starting point guard while Lin has to settle with 20 to 25 minutes off the bench. In short, Scott is throwing away the very reason why the Lakers acquired Lin in the first place.
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