Jeremy Lin brings a global contingent of fans with him wherever he goes. But something different is happening in Charlotte. Yes, the Linsanity millions who follow Lin’s every move are pumped to move into the Hornets hive. (Lin recently had to remind this group the franchise wasn’t in New Orleans anymore.) But Charlotte’s long-suffering fans — who previously had no particular reason to love Lin — are embracing the Lin signing too, for pure basketball reasons.
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Despite being a small market in the big NBA scheme, Charlotte is true and deep basketball country. We’re talking ACC country, home to many of the finest college basketball programs in history. These fans know their hoops, and it’s a great match between Lin and his newly acquired Carolina fans. For the first time in a while, the focus will be entirely on Jeremy Lin’s basketball. Not his stardom and celebrity — and it’s exactly what Lin wants. Pure basketball, — a chance to get to the next level, to contribute on a winner, to improve, to see how far he can take his unique skill set, to prove naysayers wrong. Jeremy Lin wants to become Michael Jordan’s best move since he soared over Craig Ehlo or crossed over Bryon Russell.
