Brooklyn Nets 2016: Year in Review

July 7, 2016 – Nets sign Jeremy Lin to three-year deal

Getting beyond Lin’s paper mache hamstrings, this was a great signing. He’s only appeared in 12 games this year, which is a huge bummer, but he’s putting up his best numbers since his Linsanity days with the New York Knicks. Lin’s ability to penetrate and work the pick-and-roll makes him the perfect point guard to run Atkinson’s offense since the floor is perpetually spaced.

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He’s averaging almost six assists a night and 13.9 points, but he’s shooting 47 percent from the field and a staggering 54.9 percent of his two-point attempts. Furthermore, he’s been an outstanding defender. It’s not enough to make up for the team, but Lin’s opponents shoot 34.5 percent when guarded by him — 9.2 points less than their average, according to NBA.com.

When the Nets are without him, they miss a leader. They have Lopez, but Lin is an extension of Atkinson on the floor, someone who can put guys in places they need to be on both offense and defense.

Hopefully, his health issues clear up soon because this is something that’s never happened to him before. For the bulk of his career, Lin has been able to stay healthy, and it’s puzzling because he doesn’t have to bear such an excruciating load for extended periods of time. Atkinson is very methodical with his rotations, and Lin’s averaging just 25 minutes a night — granted, not wanting to re-aggravate the hammy is always in the back of the coaches’ minds.