First of all, both played well as Lakers. Regardless of changes (or lack of change in stats), they now definitely have better roles with better coaches.
Second, a more intelligent look beyond simple stats reveal changes, improvements, and evolution. Take for example this comprehensive, in-depth look into Ed Davis' play
http://www.blazersedge.com/2016/3/23/11288286/portland-trail-blazers-ed-davis-rebounding-scoring-stats-analysis.
Ed Davis is huge for the Blazers. He's part of their young core now. Forget stats, he's even gotten some notoriety as an enforcer, getting ejected for protecting Damian Lillard. Would love that kind of camaraderie on our team.
Jeremy Lin has been closing out games in the fourth quarter. That's a clear role, and trust from the coach. Unlike Scott, who benched him for a game to teach him some kind of lesson. Lin's been great for the Hornets on their surprising run this year. Clifford was on Jim Rome talking about how he attacks the paint and is a great defender - that's a coach supporting his player, not throwing him under the bus.
And when Kemba was hurt or playing ineffectively, Clifford gave the ball to Lin and had him take over - and that resulted in some huge victories. Lin has that other gear when his usage and role increase. I would love to see Huertas lift his team on his back and beat the Spurs and the Cavs. That didn't happen though.
But, back to the first point, they WERE good with us, despite the situations - that's why some were upset when they were let go, and replaced with worse options such as Lou and Hibbert.
Take Lou for example. His numbers indicate he's close to having a CAREER YEAR as a Laker. And he won sixth man of the year last year. Is his year with the Lakers so great? Was he even significant at all?
Robert Horry had garbage stats when he won championships with the Lakers. So did Rick Fox, compared to when he was on the Celtics. Did they play worse? What was more meaningful?
The reality is that Jermey Lin and Ed Davis would be our best point guard and big man right now. And they wouldn't be disruptive, because they've shown that they can accept a secondary role and excel at it. Moreover, they're both young, just getting into their primes, and are great values/assets for a rebuilding team. Lin is a far better backcourt partner to Russell than Clarkson. As a playmaker, defender, teammate, and professional. Ed Davis would be a far better mobile big man than Hibbert, and would be a much better fit with Randle, Nance, or Bass.
If one somehow thinks that our team would be worse for keeping them, I don't know what to say. I guess one liked what he's seen this year from our current players? The issue last year with Davis and Lin weren't their play. It was Scott. When he gave them minutes and a stable role, without trying to mess with their heads or their game, they were solid, sand sometimes very good.
Anyways, this argument is over, really. Most knowledgeable folks recognize their value. Ed Davis is a solid big man and Jeremy Lin is a solid guard. They're good players. Everybody's entitled to their opinions though.
“OH! Caruso parachutes in! You cannot stop him - you can only hope to contain him!” -Kevin Harlan, LAL-GSW 4/4/19
