In Philadelphia, where the 76ers have annually failed to compete while piling up picks and getting players (see Joel Embiid) healthy, THE PROCESS is working. You can even buy Trust the Process t-shirts in Philly, which essentially means you’ll tolerate embarrassing losing now for a chance at glory later. The Brooklyn Nets are in a similar place that the 76ers are in. The Nets GM Sean Marks, like Sixers coach Brett Brown, have Spurs pedigree and know patience and diligence are the keys to winning programs. With that in mind, and the Nets’ long term goals prioritized, here’s the quick reasoning behind keeping Jeremy Lin out for the rest of the season.
- A hamstring injury can debilitate a career fast, turning chronic. (Re-injury risk is 31%, says one study.) Lin has already injured his three times this season. The only know prescription is adequate rest. Conclusion: Lin should wait till next year.
- Lin simply can’t help the Nets this season. They won’t make the playoffs. And finding late season chemistry with the current Nets roster — which won’t look the same next year — has doubtful value. Conclusion: Lin should wait till next year.
- Lin’s passion to prove his prowess as a starter, while admirable, works against him right now. While Lin assured fans that he “checked all the boxes” before coming back, the results indicate he probably came back too soon. And he wants to do it again. Who can blame him? But it’s management’s job — not Lin’s — to look long-term. In Philly, Embiid is still on restricted minutes and he wants to play 48 minutes every night. Conclusion: Lin should wait till next year.
It’s The Process. The Nets haven’t given their plan an actual name that makes for t-shirt sales. But they should. Lin coming back for 20-some games to play 22 minutes a night so the Nets can go 16-66? That’s a bad process. Hard as it may be for Lin, he should be saved.
