Will Jeremy Lin Crack Charlotte Hornets’ Starting Lineup?

Both Jeremy Lin and the Charlotte Hornets organization know a thing about high expectations. And unfortunately, both know about falling short of said expectations.

Both had rapid and unexpected ascensions that took the NBA by complete surprise, yet both have fallen short of their projected ceilings.

Naturally, the two were destined to meet. This offseason, that fated unification became a reality when Lin inked a two-year deal with Charlotte worth $4.4 million (with a second-year player option). The hope is that the two parties form a mutualistic relationship and ascend — hand-in-hand — from the Association’s expectations gutter.

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There is, however, one potential obstacle standing between universal success: Lin’s minutes cap.

This isn’t to suggest that Lin should be a 48-minute-per-game player; he hasn’t earned that by any means. Having said that, Lin’s production over the course of his five-year career has been solid — starter solid. And thus far, Jeremy Lin’s play through Charlotte’s first six preseason games affirms the idea that he does, indeed, belong in this club’s first unit.

Career averages of 11.7 points and 4.8 assists per game don’t jump off the page, but perhaps the most remarkable part of Lin’s success has been his consistency.

Save for the 2010-11 season in which he appeared in just 29 games, the Harvard alum has averaged double-digit scoring figures every season, never dipping lower than his 11.2 points-per-game mark from last year’s stint with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He’s maintained a solid field goal percentage that’s hovered around 44 percent, and he’s steadily improved his three-point shot with each passing season.

What’s more impressive is that the starting-caliber numbers he’s been putting up have never been accompanied by starter’s minutes. Lin played a career-high 32.2 minutes for the Houston Rockets in 2012-13 and put up 13.4 points a contest while serving as the third option, behind both James Harden and Chandler Parsons.

For the Hornets, inking Lin to a low-budget deal was a power move. In terms of salary alone, it’s perfectly justifiable to keep a $2 million man coming off the bench, which appears to be the plan right now. Still, if it makes sense to start Lin from a win-loss perspective, that’s what has to happen.

Considering both roster ailments and Lin’s offensive repertoire, inserting him into the starting five should be a move that’s on Steve Clifford’s to-do list.

Charlotte’s current starting point guard, Kemba Walker — while far from perfect — has proven more productive (individually) than has Lin. The former is a near-impossible cover when his jumper is falling and he is taking smart shots. He has advantages over Lin in athleticism, offensive creativity, ball handling, and (on some nights) shooting.

But while Walker’s skill is indisputable, time has demonstrated that his offensive abilities may be better suited for an off-guard rather than a full-time floor general. Incidentally, Lin is perfectly suited to run an offense.

Though an adept scorer and a decent athlete, Lin is the typical ‘do-it-all’ point guard. He’s a proven threat from all areas of the floor, a maestro in the pick-and-roll, and a savvy veteran who understands his role. The importance of Lin’s offensive patience cannot be overstated.

He is always looking to make the correct play, which makes him an absolute must-have for Charlotte’s first team. The 2013-14 Bobcats featured Josh McRoberts as a starter for the same reason; McBob knew the offense well enough to consistently get the ball to where it was supposed to be.

As a power forward, McRoberts’ role was somewhat unorthodox, but with Lin, Charlotte can have that same luxury coupled with a guard’s ball handling, speed, and improved shooting.

The Hornets did, of course, add Nicolas Batum — another utility player — over the summer, but Charlotte’s offense last year was hindered considerably by their lack of ball movement; the team averaged 20.2 assists per game, good for third-worst in the Association.

Needless to say isolation isn’t the Hornets’ answer, and the more willing distributors they have working together, the better off they’ll be.

Passing has proven the recipe for success; last year’s league leader in assists was eventually crowned champion, and it’s no coincidence that of the bottom-15 teams in assist numbers, only two (Brooklyn and Toronto) made the playoffs, both in the Eastern Conference, mind you.

So, assuming Clifford comes to his senses and decides to give Lin a shot a running his offense, what does that mean for Walker? It could mean the bench, which may indeed be a better role for the volume-scoring guard, but it may not.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist‘s injury opens up a spot in the starting lineup, and though Marvin Williams is projected to replace MKG, Charlotte may well employ a Lin-Walker backcourt after all. That would allow Nic Batum to slide down to small forward, his natural position, while Cody Zeller and Al Jefferson sure up the front line.

Thus far, the Walker-Lin backcourt has shown both upside and results. Lin’s debut as a preseason starter saw the Hornets annihilate the Los Angeles Clippers by more than 40 points. Walker’s 22 points headlined Monday’s convincing win over the Chicago Bulls, but Lin (18 points, five assists, eight rebounds) was Charlotte’s unsung hero.

Ultimately, there’s no telling what Charlotte’s lineup will look like on opening night. Clifford seems to be open to keeping Lin as the permanent starter, but understandably, he refused to commit to anything this early:

This could be the long-anticipated turnaround year for both Jeremy Lin and the Charlotte Hornets, and better yet, they have a chance to do it together. It’s tough to do much wrong by signing someone like Lin, especially for such a low price tag, but the Hornets have an opportunity to do so much right; will they capitalize on it?

They’d have to be Linsane not to.

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