The Toronto Raptors have been dominant this season and seem to have cemented themselves as the No. 2 seed in the East with a 43-16, trailing only the 43-14 Milwaukee Bucks.
The Raptors have a very strong starting lineup led by Kawhi Leonard, and a very reliable bench that is easily among the best in the NBA with Fred Vanvleet, Jeremy Lin, Norman Powell, OG Anunoby, and Marc Gasol.
Lin, who was recently acquired after his buyout from the Atlanta Hawks and clearing waivers, looks ready to form one of the most dangerous backcourt combinations in the Eastern Conference along Kyle Lowry. During Lin’s debut against the Washington Wizards fans were able to see how good these two can be when playing together.
Lowry and Lin shared the floor several times throughout the game and they displayed great chemistry together despite the fact that they didn’t have a chance to get any practice time together. They played well off each other and seem to complement well due to their playing styles.
Lowry has become more of a distributor this season for the Raptors, while Lin seems to be a scoring kind of point guard. In the game against the Wizards Lowry twice found Lin with gorgeous passes, once in a fast break play and the other being on a cut. This has been possible in part because Lin has become a very good off ball player as his career progressed.
Lin had to learn to play more as a shooting guard when he was with the Charlotte Hornets to play next to Kemba Walker and has also improved his cuts and three-point shooting. Those assets combined with Lowry’s playmaking and vision should allow Lin to get some easy buckets playing in an off-ball role.
Lin can play the point too and do some playmaking when needed, with Lowry playing off the ball next to Lin in spot-up shooter role. Lowry has been a solid three-point shooter for his career although he’s struggled a bit this season.
Lin is a fantastic driver to the rim and has great vision to kick it out to Lowry, or any other open perimeter players, when he draws multiple defenders.
While Lin is a bit undersized for a shooting guard, he can still guard opposing shooting guards very well as proven against the Wizards, where he did a solid job of defending Bradley Beal.
Lowry’s a tough and physical defender at the point guard position and along Lin, will provide solid perimeter defense.
Overall these two should evolve into one of the most dynamic and dangerous backcourt combinations as they improve their chemistry to help the Raptors make a run at the NBA Finals.
