Brooklyn Nets: Kevin McHale Praises Jeremy Lin’s Work Ethic

There may not be a coach in the NBA who knows Jeremy Lin‘s game better than former Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale. McHale recently praised Lin, and broke down his game.

The Brooklyn Nets were thrilled to sign Jeremy Lin to a three-year, $36 million deal this offseason. Lin comes to the Nets in a role where he will be expected to lead and produce at high levels.

Kevin McHale, Lin’s former coach in Houston, spoke to the New York Post about Lin and broke down the point guard’s game.

“He has high effort,” McHale said of Lin. “He’s going to make mistakes, but they’re going to be mistakes of effort. You’ll never have to encourage him to go full blast, maybe to go a little slower. He’s very aggressive, that hasn’t changed. That was the way he was in Houston. I think you’ll see the same thing with the Nets.”

McHale’s assessment of Lin is accurate. Lin has a high motor. You rarely, if ever, see him slacking off on the court, regardless of the situation. Lin has proven that he will give all of his effort while on the floor, and that’s all the Nets can ask for.

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It will be interesting to see during the season if Lin’s number gets called during crunch time. If it does, McHale said, Lin will be ready. “He’s not afraid of the big shot, not afraid moment. He plays very close to the reckless side. That’s what makes him a good player. He still plays hard. I don’t think a lot will change. But he’s a better player than when I saw him , and he’s become content being Jeremy Lin, not Jeremy Linsanity.”

The last part of that quote is telling. McHale was coaching the Rockets when Houston signed Lin away from the New York Knicks after his “Linsanity” run. McHale knows Lin very well, and by his estimation, Lin is more comfortable now than in the past.

McHale also assessed how Lin’s game has evolved over the past few years. “He’s a better shooter, a better defender,” McHale said. “He’s more disciplined, a better decision-maker. He’s a better shooter, which sets up his ability to drive more. All those he got better in. He’s much better in a lot of different ways.”

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Over the years, Jeremy Lin has improved in various aspects of his game through hard work and dedication. As a result, he is now poised to be a leader and a main contributor on the Nets. Brooklyn will rely heavily on their prized offseason acquisition, and Lin absolutely seems ready for the challenge.