Jeremy Lin started and scored the first ten Charlotte Hornets points in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Shanghai. Lin has been buoyant — both in attitude and on the floor — since joining the Hornets this summer in what team owner Michael Jordan called his “most important” off-season acquisition. Lin finished with 13 points, playing just 16 minutes in a 113-71 victory that was never competitive.
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Originally brought in to back up point guard Kemba Walker, Lin appears to be carving out a starting spot for himself alongside Walker in the backcourt. Hornets head coach Steve Clifford has likened playing the two guards together to the championship formula employed by the Golden State Warriors with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. It was talk when Clifford first mentioned it this summer, but it was reality in Shanghai. An unfortunate injury to Charlotte forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, out six months after surgery to repair his right shoulder, will also force Clifford to try various combinations early in the season. Lin, who has worked tirelessly on his outside shooting in the off-season, should continue get major opportunities to make an impact in Charlotte.
