NBA star Jeremy Lin shared about his sentiments leaving the Houston Rockets to join the LA Lakers at a press conference in Taiwan on Friday. Lin arrived in Taiwan on Thursday for a one-week visit.
Lin said that his two years with the Houston Rockets was different than what he expected. He did not know that big stars like James Harden and Dwight Howard would join the team nor did he think he would be a bench player. But he is happy about joining the Lakers.
"I’m very excited about going to the LA Lakers. I hope I’ll play a more important role there," said Lin.
Lin said that Kobe Bryant has won NBA championships with the Lakers, and that Steve Nash is one of the NBA’s best point guards who he can learn from. This is what Lin said when reporters asked how he feels about working with Kobe.
"I think Kobe wants to win, and I want to win. I know Kobe wants his team to train hard, and I think I’ll train hard," said Lin. "I hope that he respects me and see how I train and play. I believe we can work together well and I hope he will respect me," he said.
In a gesture to welcome free agent Carmelo Anthony earlier this month, the Rockets put up promotional images of him wearing a Rockets No. 7 jersey, which was Lin's number. Lin said he wasn’t angry but he hopes that the team gives some respect.
But he also believes that God has the perfect plan for him. He’s not who he was 5 years ago when he entered the NBA. He used to be stressed out every time he played, but now he is more mature, and is playing for God.
He also said he used to be shier because he couldn’t speak much Chinese. But now that he is able to speak more, he’s not as nervous about facing the Chinese media anymore.
Lin will host youth basketball camps and participate in charity and promotional events during his visit. He is scheduled to leave Taiwan on Wednesday.