Jeremy Lin (Photo : Elsa | Getty Images Sport)
Four years away from Linsanity, Jeremy Lin continues to generate buzz with his steady play as a reserve for the Charlotte Hornets. In fact, he's playing really well off the bench that he emerges as one of the front-runners for Sixth Man of the Year award half-way into the season.
Lin, who signed with the small market ballclub for a fresh start, has been a great pickup for the Hornets not only on the offensive end, but for defensive purposes as well.
Averaging 12.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 27 minutes per outing, Lin has been given flexible role this season, one that saw him transitioning from a defender in that given night to a scorer and floor facilitator in the next game.
According to Sportrageous.com, Lin is in good position to contend for the Sixth Man of the Year honor because of the impact he brings for the Hornets, who are very much in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.
There are at least five legit contenders right now with solid chance of nabbing the award at the end of the season. These are Lin, Denver Nuggets' Will Barton, New Orleans Pelicans shooter Ryan Anderson, Orlando Magic's Victor Oladipo and OKC Thunder center Enes Kanter.
Barton (15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds) and Ryan Anderson (17.5 points and 6.1 rebounds) have the better statistical lines among the five candidates, but the Nuggets and the Pelicans aren't a playoff contender right now and that could cost them the award in the end.
Kanter (11.8 points & 7.6 rebounds) could likely be Lin's strongest rival for the award, since the Turkish center has been the steady source of offense for the Western Conference powerhouse Thunder.
