Jeremy Lin didn’t start, but he got 20 minutes and ten points in his return to action. Lin and the Nets chose the Houston Rockets for his comeback, a friendly place where Lin is familiar, currently coached by Mike D’Antoni who coached Lin during the Knicks’ Linsanity moment. Another reason for the Rockets timing? Defense is what’s usually hardest to get back after an injury — with stamina, timing, and instinct often lagging behind enthusiasm and effort. In a Rockets game defense is always secondary, so Lin could find his way while the shots flew. The 122-118 Rockets victory didn’t produce much in the way of defensive highlights on either side.
Lin shot 4-of-8 and just 1-of-4 from the free throw line. Was it difficult to be back? Did he feel strong out there? “The shots, the feel and getting back out there… you practice all these shots. But I got in there and it felt like I was shooting a football.” 50% from the field with a football is pretty good. When Lin starts shooting basketballs again, Nets fans might be very happy indeed.
