Usually high expectations don't follow a team into an NBA season in which they finished 27-55 the previous year, but for a franchise that has won 16 NBA Finals, Los Angeles Lakers fans always expect the best.

The Lakers are entering this upcoming season with a revamped roster and a new head coach as they aim to return to the NBA playoffs after failing to make the postseason last year. Their biggest addition was point guard Jeremy Lin, who has already expressed his desire to play with the team. The Western Conference is as tough as it gets, so the Lakers will need every bit of Lin to make the postseason.

Here are five ways Lin can help the Lakers this coming NBA season in their quest to return to the NBA playoffs:

Passing

Passing is the single most important trait for a point guard. Lin isn't the second coming of John Stockton, but his passing has helped multiple teams. In the 2011-12 season with the New York Knicks, Lin averaged 8.3 assists per 36 minutes.

On the other hand, Steve Nash's assists per game average have decreased the last four consecutive seasons. Nash and Lin could be a great off-court combination with Nash teaching Lin many of his moves and secrets.

Scoring

Lin isn't an elite scorer, but he's shown he can hit shots at will when given the ball. Unfortunately, Lin has only started more than 35 games in a season one time, so we don't know his full scoring potential just yet. Lin is also a good free throw shooter at over 80 percent.

We've seen Lin take over games many times with 30-point performances and draw double teams from opposing defenses. Of course, Bryant will be "go-to" guy in Los Angeles, but Lin can offer many scoring assets, as well.

Effort and Intensity

Go ahead and say "it's cliché," but with Lin on the team, the Lakers will be more energized than last season. The Lakers haven't missed the postseason in consecutive years since the 1974 and 1975 season. Meanwhile, many people feel as if Lin wasn't given a fair chance in Houston or New York.

Here is a great chance for both parties to "right the wrongs" and prove doubters incorrect. There's no denying that Lin will give his full effort in every game he plays, even when it's not his best performance.

Endurance

With Steve Nash now 40 years old, a lot of NBA experts expect Lin to be the starting point guard eventually. Nash is Hall of Fame-bound, but his best days are behind him. Lin is 14 years younger than Nash, and the Lakers will need every bit of his youth this season.

Five-time NBA Champion Kobe Bryant will be playing in his 19th season in the NBA. If Bryant is going to have a successful and healthy season, he's going to need Lin by his side.

Excitement

For a franchise that has won 16 championships and five since 2000, things seem much worse. Injuries, coaching changes and poor performances have overshadowed any signs of great play. Bringing in Lin will certainly revamp the entertainment at the Staples Center for the Purple and Gold. With the Clippers currently the best team in Los Angeles, Lin will be needed to bring the Lakers back to greatness.

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