Jeremy Lin has played some of the best basketball of his career for the Charlotte Hornets this season. The versatile Lin has not only been expert in spelling Kemba Walker, who’s having a career year, at point guard — but Lin is also playing well in the shooting guard slot. Lin’s only real drawback has been his trouble knocking down shots. All year he’s contributed in multiple ways including giving Charlotte excellent penetration on the offensive end. But Lin had trouble getting the minutes he needs, because some nights the basket has just seemed too small.
Not anymore. Lin followed up his 29-point Spurs-spanking outburst with 21 points in a victory against the lowly Brooklyn Nets. The most significant stat? Lin shot 8-of-12 from the floor — 66.7% percent. That’s double what he sometimes shot earlier in the season. The other significant stat? Lin again played 30 minutes, because his shooting simply allows Hornets coach Steve Clifford to leave him on the floor longer. Lin has proven this year he can take care of the ball better too. (He had just two turnovers.) But when the ball goes in the basket for Lin, he’s like a Vinnie Johnson or a Jamal Crawford off the bench. Hornets moved to 41-30.