Jeremy Lin (Photo : Hornets)
The Charlotte Hornets signed Jeremy Lin to a two-year deal with the hope of adding depth in their point guard rotation. However, there may be a possibility where Lin ends up as the team's starting playmaker with Kemba Walker leading the charge as the main gunner off the bench.
According to Baseline Buzz, the Hornets front-office, thought not much bullish on the idea, appears to be envisioning a future where Lin plays good enough to become their primary ball distributor and Walker turns into their own super-sub.
"Again, this is how the team is framing it publicly. The brain trust has doubtlessly imagined a future in which J-Lin returns to semi-Linsanity heights and re-signs as the team's starting point guard next July. The Hornets could begin to transition Kemba to his more natural sixth man role - where he could dominate both the ball and opponent's second units," via Baseline Buzz.
While Walker is by far the more explosive scorer blessed with the ability to create scoring opportunity out of nothing, the 27-year old Lin is the more natural playmaker between the two.
Indeed, Walker can drop 30 points on any given day, but his trigger-happy attitude (along with his 39 percent career field goal shooting) has been more of disruptive than productive to the team's overall offensive scheme. On the other hand, Lin isn't quite as athletic as Walker, but proves to be a more accurate shooter (44 percent career FG%, 34 percent from 3-points line) and better passer (4.8 apg).
Still, Walker's value with the Hornets won't diminish in the event he loses his job to Lin. As Baseline Buzz indicated, Walker is going to be a handful against opposing teams' second unit. By coming off the bench, the former UConn standout will have all the freedom in the world to jack up jumpers and attack the paint relentlessly, allowing the Hornets to have that sustained offensive onslaught.
Of course, Lin needs to deliver the goods first for him to get any consideration for a starting nod. After going through a bumpy ride during his stints with the Houston Rockets and then the Los Angeles Lakers the past three seasons, Lin will be facing immense pressure to perform with his new team. Yet, the idea of him taking over as the Hornets starter in a foreseeable future isn't far-fetched, as it actually helps the team make that first step towards contention.
