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NBA: 15 Candidates For Breakout Seasons In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket as Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) defends during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket as Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) defends during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts after scoring during the second half in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Jeremy Lin

Technically, Jeremy Lin already had his breakout season back in 2011-12, when “Linsanity” first came onto the scene during his stint with the New York Knicks.

But in the three seasons since, he hasn’t put up the same kind of numbers, he’s been demoted to a backup role three different times and he’s only now getting another chance to lead a team as its starting point guard. Resurgence, breakout year, call it what you want, but Lin is going to have the ball in his hands a lot this season.

On a Brooklyn Nets team devoid of real offensive talent outside of Brook Lopez, Lin will get a tremendous opportunity to put up career numbers. That may not lead to many wins on a team severely lacking in firepower, but Linsanity is finally returning to the Big Apple.

Putting Lin in a pick-and-roll with Lopez should be one of the main pillars of Brooklyn’s offense this season, putting both players in position to be successful. After averaging 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in a bench role last season, Lin playing starter’s minutes is only going to boost his numbers.

This will probably be a case of “great numbers on a terrible team,” but Jeremy Lin is a player to keep an eye on now that he’s back at the helm of an NBA team, where he’ll reunite with the same Kenny Atkinson who was an assistant in NY during the outbreak of Linsanity.