Byron Scott may have already seen enough improvement from Jeremy Lin to put him back into the starting lineup. According to Lakers nation correspondent Serena Winters, the Lakers head coach confirmed the Asian-American star is expected to start for the remaining 14 games of the 2014-15 NBA season.
Lin, who is coming off his best scoring performance in purple-and-gold uniform after torching the Philadelphia 76ers with 29 points in Sunday's 101-87 win at Staples Center, will return to his original role as regular starter alongside fellow guard Jordan Clarkson, small forward Wesley Johnson, forward Ryan Kelly and center Tarik Black.
Returning to the Lakers starting five has been a goal for the 26-year old Lin since he was relegated to the bench 20 games into the season. Lin, averaging 11.1 points and 4.7 dimes this season, has earned Scott's trust following a series of scintillating scoring showcases, including a 29-point outburst against the Sixers.
"Obviously, I would love to be in the starting lineup, but nothing's guaranteed at this point," Lin said after their win over Philadelphia via ESPN. "I mean, 70 games into the season, I'm just trying to stay focused on doing what I'm supposed to do when I get in there."
Aside from upping his production on the offensive end, Scott was also impressed by Lin's development as a better ball facilitator and defender for the past few weeks.
"I thought he was great," Scott said during the post-game press conference via ESPN. "He made great decisions. On the offensive end, he got guys involved. Defensively, he was where he was supposed to be and he did a lot of good things at that end of the floor as well."
Playing in the final year of his current deal that pays him a career-high $15 million, Lin is expected to use the additional playing time to jack up his free-agency stock that reached rock bottom during the first half of the season.
On Tuesday, Lin and the Lakers will be taking on the hottest triple-double machine in the NBA in Russell Westbrook and the surging Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena.