Trust the man with six NBA championship rings!
Charlotte Hornets team owner Michael Jordan claims that Jeremy Lin is the biggest acquisition made by the team off-season.
"We just got Jeremy Lin, who I think is going to be our biggest acquisition. His penetration, his shooting capability, his point guard savvy, he can really pass the basketball, his energy about the game of basketball something," Jordan was quoted as saying by The IUSB Preface.
Jeremy "Linsanity" Lin made his National Basketball Association (NBA) career with the New York Knicks that earned him the monicker "Linsanity" because of his strong presence on the court. However, many critics are claiming that that 2012 Linsanity was just a temporary fad, and he started losing playing time as his game deteriorated the past three seasons.
Lin then moved to the Los Angeles Lakers but still the 27-year-old former Harvard University standout failed to make his mark with that team. He was traded to the Hornets August this year as The Charlottes starting point guard to help star player Kemba Walker in scoring and facilitating, believing there is still some spark left with him.
Despite a decline in his performance, Lin is still contributing above average statistics with an average of 15 points and five assists per game. Lin has a 44 percent shooting percentage from the field and 34 percent from the three-point area. Coupled with his playmaking skills, Linsanity could be a big boost for Charlotte, team insiders said.
According to reports, Charlotte is looking to create its offensive and defensive strategies revolving around Walker and Lin. With his speed and agility, Walker could dominate the opposing teams' secondary units and act as an explosive backup guard. Lin's height could give the team an advantage and can play as starting point guard to direct the offense and at the same time boost the Hornet's offensive rhythm.
Jordan's observation about Lin is shared by the Charlotte Observer, who believed that the Lin-Walker backcourt tandem is already paying early dividends for the Hornets.
Scott Fowler writes, "But the Hornets have found that player in the backcourt who can team with Walker. His name is Jeremy Lin. He costs about a quarter of what Stephenson did. And he has already made Charlotte a team that is way more fun to watch. I'm already wishing the Hornets had Lin under a guaranteed two-year deal. Instead, the second year is at Lin's option, which means if Lin has a great year he could leave for bigger money elsewhere."
For his part, Lin believes that a good working relationship makes a lot of difference. He commented, "The biggest thing is - and that's not just me and Kemba (Walker), it's any basketball relationship - you have to want to see the other person succeed. I've been very impressed with who Kemba is as a person and how down to earth and humble he is. We've been able to get along off the court and carry that onto the court, and it's been fun. I love playing with him."
Walker agrees, "It takes a lot of pressure off me. I don't always have to go back for the basketball every time. When he's out there, he's helping me with the pace, with the tempo. He's very unselfish, and he can score the basketball very well. So that's fun."
