DALLAS -- For those who went to the American Airlines Center to see Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin play against the Dallas Mavericks tonight, they were sorely disappointed.
Lin didn’t play primarily because Rockets coach Kevin McHale said: “We had planned on this already. This was his day off.’’
Lin created a huge buzz around the sports world last season when he had a breakout year with the New York Knicks. After that blockbuster success, Lin signed a three-year, $25 million free agent contract with the Rockets this past summer.
Lin, who had knee surgery in the offseason, hasn’t played in a regular season game since he had 13 points and seven turnovers in a Mar. 24 game against the Detroit Pistons. He missed the Knicks’ final 17 regular season games and five playoff contests before leaving unceremoniously to sign with the
Rockets.
In the Rockets’ first three preseason games, Lin contributed just 16 points, 14 assists and seven turnovers in 68 minutes while converting 4-of-19 shots. He also had only four points on 1-of-10 shooting during Sunday's 116-107 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
“He’s finding his way,’’ McHale said. “When you haven’t played for a long time, he’s getting his confidence back and trying to get his mojo going.
“I talked him (Sunday) night and a little bit (Monday) and I told him to relax and go out and play. Anyone who has had an injury that has come back, you go through a period where it’s just odd.’’
-- Dwain Price
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