Jeremy Lin (Photo : REUTERS)
Jeremy Lin joined the Charlotte Hornets hoping the team's renewed interest to a more offensive oriented approach would allow him to recapture his 'identity' on the court.
With Kemba Walker expected to run the first team's offense next season, any scenario of Lin starting again is highly unlikely. He will be backing up Walker most of the nights with the possibility of playing off-guard in some occasions.
However, despite the nature of his role with the Hornets, Lin has all the opportunity to make a big impact next season. As far as upside is concerned, Lin's ceiling is still pretty high. How high is it? Well, as high as Lin turning into one of the better 6th men in the league, if not a legit contender for the end-of-the year honor for reserves.
In last week's podcast conversation on the Hive Talk Live Stinger, Charlotte hoops beat writer Nick Denning discussed the Hornets' acquisition of Lin (on a two-year, $4.3MM deal) and what he can bring to the table in a revamped Hornets roster.
Aside from the benefits of playing for a small market team, Denning believes the 26-year old Lin will thrive in Steve Clifford's system because he provides what the Hornets were lacking off last season, when they ranked 28th in the league both in average points per game (94.2 ppg) and assists per game (20.2 apg).
Lin, who averaged 11.7 points, 4.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 27 minutes per game over his five-year NBA career, has carved a reputation as one of the league's finest pick-and-roll operators.
He's also a very efficient finisher when attacking the rim, converting 52 percent of his shot at point blank range with the Lakers last season. Moreover, his much improved three-point shooting (career-high 37 percent from beyond the arc last season) and decision-making (career-low 2.2 turnovers per contest) would make Lin a more valuable piece for the Hornets than most people had expected.
After scoring most of the points at the post last year, the Hornets added more dimensions to their game by bringing in shooters like Nicolas Batum, Jeremy Lamb, Spencer Hawes and rookie Frank Kaminsky. These players will not only provide the Hornets a much-needed outside shooting, they will also create a lot of space for Al Jefferson to operate down low.
Speaking of Jefferson, the Hornets could squeeze more production from him if paired with Lin. A Lin-Jefferson pick-and-roll game would be a beauty to watch as the two are regularly in the upper-half of pick-and-roll efficiency leader board every year.
Thanks to his versatility, Lin can also play off-the-ball when needed. Denning even thinks that there will be moment where Lin and Walker shares the floor together, especially down the stretch where having at least two ball-handlers is necessary.
All of these qualities in Lin should be enough to believe that he's going to have a terrific campaign next season. After three seasons of duking it out with the elite point guards in the Western Conference, a weaker Eastern Conference guard rotation would make things a lot easier for him.
He has the chance to average at least 15 points and 6 dimes in 25 minutes per game, which would put him in contention for the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Before the free-agency began, Lin said he would want to join a team where he can 'fit in.' Perhaps, after a long journey, Linsanity finally found a place where he truly belongs - at the Hive.
