Lakers News: No Pressure on Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant Back?

By Arvin Donguines, Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Earlier in July, the Los Angeles Lakers made a trade with the Houston Rockets to acquire point guard Jeremy Lin for its 2014-2015 season in exchange for Sergei Lishchuck. According to the team's General Manager Mitch Kupchack, the trade could be the key to success for the team's rebuilding efforts.

"This trade allows us to acquire a solid player who will make us a better team, as well as draft picks to improve our team in the future, while at the same time allowing us to maintain financial flexibility," Kupchack said.

"In addition to what he'll bring us on the court, we think Jeremy will be warmly embraced by our fans and our community," he added.

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However, if Lakers fans are somewhat expectant for the return of "Linsanity" the player was once so celebrated about, they may be disappointed.

"I'm not trying to relive that banner season. It's been a huge weight off my shoulders," the 25-year-old told NBA reporters during an introductory press conference. "I'm not trying to recreate Linsanity or be that phenomenon that happened in New York. I just want to be myself more than ever."

But critics and enthusiasts speculated that joining Lakers could be an opportunity for Jeremy Lin to reinvent himself from that global icon persona and just prove himself as an essential cog for the team's overall improvement.

Meanwhile, fans of the purple and golden yellow can once again raise their high hopes up as manager Mitch Kupchack confirms Kobe Bryant's astonishing recovery, Sports on Earth reported.

"He's actually been healthy since May. He's ready, motivated. And he's engaged," the manager said.

"My window overlooks the court, and he comes in to work out from time to time. You would not know he's in his mid-30s. You wouldn't know he hurt his knee and had a torn Achilles. There's no limp. He's got a hop in his step. He's working hard," he added.