Jeremy Lin says my responsibility after Steelers Taiwanese P. League+ loss to Braves

“I am so proud of my teammates for staging such a comeback, it was a really good performance,” Lin said.

The Taiwanese-American added that the loss was not related to his teammates’ abilities.

“They did not get to perform, but that was my responsibility as a guard,” he said. “How to bring up the players around me is something I need to figure out.

“It was the first time I experienced an opposing player following me the entire game. We have to adjust to the opponents’ strategy going forward.”

After losing 103-102 to the Steelers in Kaohsiung a fortnight ago – with Lin sitting it out due to sickness – the second-placed Braves were determined to notch one back.

Hsu Chin-che, the visitors’ head coach, designated four players to defend Lin in turns and wear him down.

Hsu’s tactic worked as opposing coach Cheng was forced to withdraw Lin with the Steelers still within reach.

“Jeremy certainly is important to our team,” Cheng said. “But in the last few games, our local players were relying on him far too much.”

“Such wrong thinking has to be adjusted immediately, otherwise Lin will become more and more tired.”

The 34-year-old Lin, who has averaged just under 40 minutes each game this season, has put up an average 25.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists in seven outings. He was also the most used player on Saturday.

Cheng lamented his team’s “missed opportunities”.

“We only had five free throws, and I thought it was just about right because no one was attacking the rim.

“Our local players were not aggressive enough because they were not reading the intention of defensive players. They just pass or shoot every time after receiving the ball.”

Lin paid tribute to an icon of Taiwanese basketball after his first encounter with Lin Chih-chieh.

The latter Lin, now 40, played in the Chinese Basketball Association with Zhejiang Guangsha Lions from 2009 to 2019, and was selected as a CBA All-Star seven times. He chipped in 14 points on the night.

“I can guarantee I will not be balling like him when I am his age,” Jeremy Lin said. “He is excellent playing at this level and it was interesting playing against him.”

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