Day: December 17, 2012

Jeremy Lin says season has been terrible so far

Jeremy Lin says his season has been terrible so far

On the eve of his return to Madison Square Garden, Jeremy Lin didn’t mince words. The ex-Knick point guard said he has been “terrible’’ this season, not living up to his potential and can’t wait to get the Garden game over with.

Lin’s rip job on himself occurred after yesterday’s Rockets loss in Toronto in which Lin scored just seven points with two assists while Raptors point guard Jose Calderon went off for 18 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds.

Asked to assess his season, Lin said: “Terrible. I think I’m not doing close to what I’m capable of doing and it’s a matter of figuring out how to get myself to play more like myself within the system with the change of scenery. I’ll be my harshest critic but I’ll go ahead and say it: I’m doing terrible.’’

The undrafted Harvard point guard is averaging just 10.8 points, 6.0 assists and shooting 39.5 percent. Lin had lots of fans yesterday in Toronto — which has an enormous Asian population and where he hit his most memorable shot as a Knick last season, a 3-point buzzer-beater to win a game against the Raptors.

— Reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post

Clutch Lillard shot helps Blazers edge Hornets

damian lillard

Rookie Damian Lillard hit a 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds left and the Portland Trail Blazers handed New Orleans its sixth straight loss with a 95-94 victory over the Hornets on Sunday night.

After trailing by as many as 16, Austin Rivers hit a 3-pointer for the Hornets to tie it at 92 with 50.9 seconds left. The Blazers then absorbed a blow when LaMarcus Aldridge suddenly came up limping and headed to the locker room with what appeared to be a left ankle injury, but Lillard came through to give Portland the win.

The winning shot appeared to come at the buzzer but a review put the fraction back on the clock. Lance Thomas made a layup for the Hornets as time ran out for the final margin.

J.J. Hickson had a season-high 24 points and added 16 rebounds for the Blazers, who have won three straight. Hickson has five straight double-doubles and 13 overall this season.

Ryan Anderson had 26 points, including seven 3-pointers, for New Orleans.

Aldridge, whose condition was not immediately available, finished with 20 points before leaving the game and Lillard had 16.

— Reported by Anne M. Peterson of the Associated Press