Kobe Bryant pushing Jeremy Lin to thrive defensively

"New Los Angeles Lakers player Jeremy Lin talks about the upcoming season before signing autographs for fans at a shoe store in Culver City, CA on Thursday, September 25, 2014. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze) "

“New Los Angeles Lakers player Jeremy Lin talks about the upcoming season before signing autographs for fans at a shoe store in Culver City, CA on Thursday, September 25, 2014. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze) “

The workload for Jeremy Lin seems as heavy as any advanced course he took at Harvard.

His first assignment entails Lin pushing to thrive defensively so the Lakers can significantly improve a problem that has plagued them in recent seasons. Lin’s professor involves Kobe Bryant, the Lakers’ star who has said he continuously pushes Lin into becoming that elite defensive stopper. Lin’s grade remains far from certain, the Lakers’ 120-105 preseason loss on Thursday to the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center revealing their defensive issues are far more complex than simply blaming former coach Mike D’Antoni.

“Jeremy’s biggest challenge, which he loves, is I’m really going to challenge him to be a great defensive player because he can,” Bryant said. “He has the speed. He has the length. He has the size. But he’s never had to take on that challenge to be a great defensive player.”

Lin faced a pretty hefty challenge against the Warriors, having the thankless task in guarding Golden State sharpshooter Stephen Curry and feeling left helpless after he posted 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3 of 4 from three-point range. Plenty of other problems faced the Lakers on defense beyond Lin’s difficult responsibility on Curry. The Warriors converted on 22 second-chance points. Lakers coach Byron Scott argued, “they worked harder than we did.” Even Lin’s mentor, Bryant, did little in stopping Klay Thompson from dropping 25 points on a 9-of-13 clip.

Still, Lin circled back to himself, cognizant that he spent the majority of his past offseason working on his defense, footwork and explosiveness so he could stop players of Curry’s ilk. Lin also seemed to echo the criticism from Lakers coach Byron Scott that his perimeter players did not challenge Curry and Thompson enough.

“It starts with me at the top and being aggressive and not letting the ball flow to the wings,” Lin said. “I have to be at the top of the key and not letting guys get comfortable and get in a rhythm.”

It sounds like this marks one of many tips Bryant has passed along to Lin.

“That’s pretty much all I talk to him about on the court,” Lin said. “He’s pushing me and demanding a lot from me. He’s definitely taking a mentorship role with me on the court. That’s something I don’t think I’ve had in my previous four years in the league. It’s nice to have somebody pushing me, helping me and teaching me the tricks. It’s also nice when he’s one of the best to ever do it, even on the defensive end.

Those are bold words considering Lin has played with many NBA stars in New York (Carmelo Anthony) and Houston (James Harden, Dwight Howard).

Beyond the age difference for the 36-year-old Bryant entering his 19th NBA season, Lin also noticed that vast experience has given Bryant insight on subtle tricks that both few fans and players would ever recognize. Lin reported Bryant encouraging him to angle his hands better and respond better on pump fakes, tools that could minimize a shooter from either taking a jumper or driving to the basket.

Yet, Lin’s responsibility goes beyond thriving on defense.

Scott threw Lin into the starting lineup against Golden State after unexpectedly resting Steve Nash to conserve his 40-year-old body. Though he never had practiced with the starters, Lin still finished with 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting. Lin technically may have become the Lakers’ starting point guard. But Bryant handled most point-guard duties.

“Kobe wanted to take the initiative to make sure we ran the offense and got into our sets,” Scott said. “He knows it a little bit better.”

Still, Lin correctly pointed out, “I don’t really worry about us offensively. I think we have enough weapons to make that work.” The Lakers’ defense, though? That remains a different story.

Hence, Bryant’s challenge to Lin.

“That’s important and something I love,” Lin said of Bryant’s presence. “It’s a blessing he’s here in the same locker room.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com