New Taipei Kings Jeremy Lin in the EASL.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
LAPU-LAPU CITY—Jeremy Lin and the New Taipei Kings are hoping to display their own brand of basketball against the favored Chiba Jets in Friday’s East Asia Super League (EASL) Final Four clash here.
The Kings will try to mount an upset triumph over their Japan B.League counterparts, who rolled into the pinnacle stage of the continental tournament by winning all six games in group play.
“They are a tremendously high-powered offensive team,” said Lin after Thursday’s practice at Hoops Dome, acknowledging how the Jets can score in bunches behind Japan national team standout Yuki Togashi.
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Jeremy Lin and the New Taipei Kings hold practice here at Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City on the eve of their EASL Final Four matchup with Japanese side Chiba Jets. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/At49HNbU6H
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 7, 2024
“But we got a lot of good players and we gonna play New Taipei Kings basketball. We don’t really change our basketball based on who we play. We just kinda stick to our blueprint and identity which is defense first.”
Lin is among the highly-anticipated figures for the EASL Final Four, given his pedigree as a former NBA player.
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The ex-New York Knick played in the country last January when the Kings scored a road win over the Meralco Bolts at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
But a possible drawback is Lin’s health status as he had missed several games back in Taiwan’s P+League due to a foot injury.
Lin took part in the Kings’ practice session but stressed the importance of managing his condition.