Michael Jordan calls Jeremy Lin the Hornets' 'biggest acquisition'
Michael Jordan believes that Linsanity could happen in Charlotte.
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1 min read
After missing out on the playoffs last season, the Charlotte Hornets made a series of moves in the offseason to ensure that their year removed from the postseason was just a fluke. Charlotte jettisoned Lance Stephenson to the Clippers for Spencer Hawes, traded Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh for Nicolas Batum, drafted Frank Kaminsky and signed Jeremy Lin.
While Hornets head coach Steve Clifford believes that Batum will be Charlotte's new number one option on offense, team owner Michael Jordan thinks that Lin is going to make a big difference.
From the Xinhua News Agency (via The Score):
Jordan made specific mention of Jeremy Lin, who joined in the Hornets from the LA Lakers this summer. Jordan saw it a successful deal, "We just got Jeremy Lin, who I think is going to be our biggest acquisition. His penetration, his shooting capability, his point guard savvy, he can really pass the basketball, his energy about the game of basketball something," Jordan said.
Out of all of Charlotte's new additions, Batum is the better player but Jordan has a point about Lin, whose popularity in Asia has instantly made the Hornets a popular team in countries like China and Taiwan. The Hornets can capitalize on Lin's popularity through apparel and ticket sales. And then from a basketball standpoint, Lin will help Charlotte's new offense which has a heavy focus on 3-pointers. Last season, Lin shot 36.9 percent from behind the arc.
Living up to Jordan's praise, Lin scored 16 points, dished out four assists and grabbed three rebounds in the Hornets' preseason victory over the Clippers on Saturday.
Although Lin's performance was in a preseason game, he should be able to play like this on a semi-consistent basis for Charlotte during the regular season. Lin may not actually become Charlotte's "biggest acquisition" but he will definitely be a key player off the bench for the Hornets.
