Lakers News, Rumors 2014: Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer, Kobe Bryant, Wayne Ellington

Lakers News, Rumors 2014: Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer, Kobe Bryant, Wayne Ellington
Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) talks with referee Marc Davis (8) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014. The Lakers won 100-94. AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt
Zachary Stieber
Zachary Stieber
Senior Reporter
|Updated:

The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for their next game as the news and rumors ramp up.

Check out the latest buzz below.

Lin, Boozer Respond Differently to Demotions

Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer were recently replaced in the Lakers starting lineup, but they’ve responded differently to the demotions.

Lin requested a meeting with coach Byron Scott and called it “one of the toughest situations I’ve been in.

Boozer went to general manager Mitch Kupchak and also expressed anger over the move.

But it’s their on-court play that has differed the most, with Boozer greatly improving. He’s averaging 15.2 points and 10.2 rebounds after getting benched, and shooting 54.2 percent from the field.

“That’s exactly how you want him to respond,” Scott said. “After a game or so, it seemed like he just said, ‘OK, this is how it’s going to be. I’m going to roll with it.’”

Lin has slumped badly, averaging six points and 4.6 assists while shooting only 28.6 percent. That included an 0-6 night in the recent loss to the Indiana Pacers.

I don’t know. He’s just been up and down,” Scott told the Los Angeles Times. “Sometimes he has nights like this.”

The Times notes that Lin, who was portrayed as a possible player to build around for the Lakers, “feels more and more like a one-year rental.” His contract expires after this season. 

On the other hand, the Lakers could swing a deal for a point guard because Lin’s replacement Ronnie Price isn’t doing much better, averaging just 2.4 points and 2.8 assists since becoming the starter.

Players Could be Dealt

Los Angeles Lakers' Nick Young (0) celebrates after hitting the winning shot against the San Antonio Spurs during overtime of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, in San Antonio. Los Angeles won 112-110. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Los Angeles Lakers' Nick Young (0) celebrates after hitting the winning shot against the San Antonio Spurs during overtime of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, in San Antonio. Los Angeles won 112-110. AP Photo/Eric Gay
Zachary Stieber
Zachary Stieber
Senior Reporter
Zachary Stieber is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times based in Maryland. He covers U.S. and world news. Contact Zachary at [email protected]
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