Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets: Jeremy Lin Left Off SI’s Top 100

By Sandy Mui

Mar 25, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) walks to the bench during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 112-105. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) walks to the bench during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 112-105. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The acquisition of Jeremy Lin has created quite a buzz for the Brooklyn Nets. However, Sports Illustrated doesn’t consider Lin one of the top 100 players in the NBA.

More from Nothin' But Nets

The Brooklyn Nets and Jeremy Lin have faced skepticism all offseason. The media and critics don’t believe that the team can make it that far, despite the Nets’ evident improvement through their offseason moves.

Sports Illustrated released their rankings from No. 51 to 100 of the top 100 players today. Though not all of SI’s rankings are out yet, SI did publish another article discussing the biggest snubs from the list. This includes names like Derrick Rose, Joe Johnson, and one that Nets fans have heard all offseason: Jeremy Lin.

Rob Mahoney of Sports Illustrated explained why the six-year player was left off the list:

"Lin has charted an admirable course as a role player since his Linsanity days and found ways to improve every season. What he gave the Hornets last season was vital to their success; Charlotte finally got its offense moving by having multiple playmakers on the court at all times and sustained that play by ushering in Lin as Kemba Walker’s natural backup. The arrangement made sense and Lin carried his role well—making him one of the league’s best reserve point guards and a reasonable free agent target for the Nets this summer. Omitting Lin from the Top 100 isn’t a slight or an oversight. It’s merely an acknowledgment that Lin’s offerings in the last year were both helpful and a cut below some of the league’s most impactful players."

Clearly, Lin has a lot to prove with the Nets to gain the respect he deserves. The 28-year-old point guard has been doubted his entire career, and has faced many highs and lows. Oftentimes, Lin’s performance on multiple teams was overshadowed by the media’s portrayal of him.

Related Story: Jeremy Lin's Changing Role in the NBA

While Mahoney acknowledges that Lin was a huge influence on the Hornets‘ playoff run last season, he states that there were players that contributed far more to their teams than Lin. Indeed, Lin was vital to Charlotte’s success as a role player. He placed seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting.

Lin finished the 2015-16 season with averages of 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and three assists per game. For the most part, Lin was Charlotte’s sixth man (he started in only 13 games). He missed just four games last year, and averaged a total of 26.3 minutes per game.

Next: How is Sean Marks Picking Up the Broken Pieces?

In Brooklyn, Lin will run the point and provide leadership to the young squad. If he can help the Nets exceed expectations this season, then he just might be able to crack the Top 100 next year.