Jeremy Lin has modestly pointed out in the past that he’s an all-around player. Tired of hearing how his defense doesn’t measure up, the rejuvenated Charlotte guard brought out some data recently and said look, in one-on-one situations I’m the highest rated NBA point guard in blocked shots. That surprised people who weren’t paying attention. Lin’s first preseason campaign with the Hornets is full of similar surprises, not least that he can work in tandem with point guard Kemba Walker when head coach Steve Clifford wants to go quicker and smaller.
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But it’s Lin’s full range of skills — his ability to do the intangible (and quite tangible) things that help a team win — that are shining in Charlotte the way they couldn’t last year for the tanking Lakers. And it’s this all-around prowess that has Michael Jordan so excited to have Lin on his team. It’s just the preseason, of course, but the Hornets are 6-0. In Monday’s win against the Chicago Bulls, Lin had 18 points while Walker had 22. Lin also added a team-high eight rebounds and five assists.
