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Brooklyn Nets: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 8, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) goes up for a shot against Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the first half at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) goes up for a shot against Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the first half at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brooklyn Nets
Mar 22, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts after a three point shot against the Brooklyn Nets during second half at Barclays Center. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Brooklyn Nets 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Brook-Linsanity

With a shortage of quality point guards in the 2016 NBA free agency class, the talent-starved Nets got their first substantial victory under their new general manager. That’s right, folks: Linsanity is back in New York!

On a three-year, $36 million contract, Jeremy Lin will return to New York and piss off just about every Knicks fan by playing for their cross-town rivals. Coming off one of the best seasons of his career as a backup for the Charlotte Hornets, Lin only averaged 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on 41.2 percent shooting from the field and 33.6 percent shooting from three-point range.

That being said, Linsanity was back in full force last season for the first time since he first exploded onto the scene in New York back in 2011-12. His Per 36 Minutes numbers were as high as they’d been since his peak with the Knicks:

  • Knicks Per 36 Minutes:  19.6 points, 8.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 steals
  • Hornets Per 36 Minutes:  16.1 points, 4.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.0 steals

He also thrived playing alongside Kemba Walker in the backcourt, averaging 17.5 points and 4.8 assists per game in 17 starts last season.

In Charlotte, Lin found a true niche in the league for the first time since the beginning days of Linsanity. In Brooklyn, he’ll get the chance to do what he’s been wanting to do for years now: lead his own team as the starting point guard.

Another X-factor in this deal: new Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson was an assistant for the Knicks during Lin’s rise to prominence five years ago. Lin even credits Atkinson with helping developing him into the star he became in New York, so a reunion here makes perfect sense.

On a bargain price of $12 million a year (with a $12.5 million player option for the third year), the Nets snagged an underrated point guard off the market.

Even though the arrival of Lin doesn’t change Brooklyn’s gloomy outlook for 2016-17, it does make them more interesting to watch and there’s no denying his status as a global icon just gained the Nets millions of new fans.

Get ready for Brook-Linsanity, everyone.

Grade: A

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