Lakers News: Jeremy Lin Feels Bad for Losing Starting Role; Brands Benching Career’s Toughest Situation

Lakers point guard Jeremy Lin is not in a better position than he was with the Houston Rockets.

In a report by SB Nation, Lin was transferred to the bench from being in the starting five on December 7, Sunday.

He said to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, "We have so much going on. So many new people, coaches, playing with Kobe. Trying to figure out everything, all at once."

He said in an article by NYPost.com, "I believe I can be a starting point guard in the league, and I want to be. That's been a goal of mine for a long time. I'm not going to lie. It was disappointing when I heard about it." He continued, "I know what I need to do moving forward."

He added, "This is one of the toughest situations I've been in ever since I played the game of basketball. It's tough. But I believe God has me for a reason and I just keep working ... I believe God (has a reason). There's a reason for everything. There really is even when the situations, they do look bleak, he turns it into something I didn't expect.''

Ronnie Price was placed in the starting point guard position in lieu of Lin. Lakers coach Byron Scott allegedly told Lin to "work on being in the right place defensively and creating offensively."

Scott also put Carlos Boozer on the bench and put Ed Davis in his place. The adjustments were announced before the Lakers played against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 7, where they lost 104-87. The Los Angeles Lakers are 5-16 at present.

SB Nation also reported that Lin only played 19 minutes during Sunday night's game against the Pelicans. He had three points and four assists. Price, on the contrary, also had three points and three assists while playing 25 minutes.

According to Lakers Nation, Scott said that Lin felt better about the situation the next day. He said about Lin, "Not really. We talked afterwards in my office this morning and he was okay with it."

In the same report by Lakers Nation, Boozer was unhappy about being benched but still managed to score 12 points and grab six rebounds during the game. Boozer did not speak to reporters after the game at Staples Center. According to Scott, he plans to keep both Lin and Boozer on the bench in the next 10 to 15 games.