Jeremy Lin of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after making a basket against the San Antonio Spurs. (Photo : Getty Images/Streeter Lecka)
The New York Knicks are expected to go after high-profile free agents once the free agency period starts in July. One of the glaring weaknesses in their line-up is the point guard position and to fill that hole, the team is rumored to go after their former pride, Jeremy Lin.
Lin did a wonderful role spearheading the Charlotte Hornets' reserves as his penetrating ability enabled his teammates to shoot uncontested perimeter shots. He also averaged 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3 assists. This was enough for teams to consider him not only as a vital player off the bench, but also a potential starter. In fact, Lin's former coach Mike D'Antoni praised the point guard's elite point guard mindset.
"The biggest thing is, he's got a point-guard mentality," D'Antoni told The New York Times. "He has a rhyme or reason to what he's doing, and you can kind of play off that."
With the recent changes in the Knicks' coaching staff, Lin is said to be a perfect fit to incoming head coach, Jeff Hornacek. The former Suns coach is known for running a fast-paced tempo brand of basketball and Lin is known as a great transition finisher.
"With the triangle out, the Knicks will need a traditional point guard," CBS Sports reported. "One rival executive suggested Thursday that the Hornacek hiring could pave the way for Linsanity Part II; Hornets point guard Jeremy Lin has a player option this summer in a massive free-agent market and is coming off his best season since leaving New York as a restricted free agent in 2012."
Now, it will all depend on Lin if he will be leaving the Hornets for greener pasture despite saying that he will take a pay-cut just to remain with Michael Jordan's team. For him, less pressure and expectations make it easier for him to contribute and focus more on what he does best. In New York, all eyes will be on him once again and that is what he is trying to avoid.
Here are some highlights of Lin during his heydays with the Knicks.
