Lin The Player

[benhillboy]

When he got traded the thread was 99% team management related.  I don’t know nothing bout that, let’s talk on the flo’.

I’ve campaigned for him to come here a couple times when he was available.  I got a soft spot for guards who can rebound and/or are 200 pounds.

Linsanity left an impression on me.  Sure he played way over his head because of a magical fit for a couple months and it took some time for the league to adjust to a seemingly 200-pound Steve Nash they know nothing about (cmon Kobe).   But his IQ and team orientation as always shined brightly to me.

His trademark is a bull drive.  When he lowers his head and stampedes to the hole, it’s like a game of roulette:

draw a foul, make two FTs (outstanding .382 career FT rate, good conversion % at .805)...

And 1 (30% of career shots coming within 3 feet)...

non-assist pass out...

nice paint assist...

blocked shot....

awful shot.....

Or ugly turnover.

Unfortunately he rarely keeps his dribble because his size usually draws an extra defender and he feels he has to make a play immediately, hence the 2.4 TOs for a mostly career BU.  Kinda Baze-like.

Doesn’t have great vision but a good team passer and initiator.  Nice cross court tosses, looks for hockey assist opportunities.

Not a great on ball defender (sits down in his stance only when he wants to like most players) but again his sheer size makes plays for him.  1.4 steals and .4 blocks for a BU is gravy.  Fights over screens and closes out well enough to have an even career defensive box.

Doesnt have to be assisted on 3s (.296) yet shoots a respectable clip at a career .350.

All film and numbers show a very good BU player who kept his integrity on a lot of bad squads whether due to chemistry or fits.  His positive influence on Trae cannot be overstated.  

I know a lot of people don’t care for him one way or another and that’s fine.  Just thought his career warranted a thread about his game and what he’ll bring if/ when healthy.  

 

[nathan2331]

I'm not expecting much from him now, o can only hope makes sense positive impact on Trae's career, anything on court is s bonus. Honestly I'm more concerned about how much he'll cost after this year.

[TheFuzz]

It's a shame he's coming off a rough injury. In his prime I though he was a better player than Dennis, but his play style gets him injured

[frosgrim]

I'm happy to have Lin on the Hawks. Just what Trae needs, and what some of the young vets need as well.  Lin is going to come in and display a no-nonsense work ethic. I hope its contagious and even our gifted guys follow him. 

Lin, Baze and Dedmon are just what a young squad needs to develop good pro habits, even during this rebuild timeframe.

[EazyRoc]

I love him as a mentor. As a player, it’s hard to say what we’ve got. It’s looking like we could’ve gotten a dud and will likely be in the market when he either stinks it up or gets hurt. Of course, he could come back, play like he played 5-6 years ago, and be a solid average level PG. 

[Flight]

I think he and Baze are the type of vets you love to have on a team that's building the way ours is right now.

[capstone21]

He was a perfect fit in Charlotte and will play that role here

[benhillboy]

On 7/24/2018 at 4:48 PM, capstone21 said:

He was a perfect fit in Charlotte and will play that role here

True.  If I remember correctly he and Kemba used to hand the Hawks their asses more times than not.

[Jeffery123]

Jeremy was ballin in Charlotte and Brooklyn before he got hurt.  These players nowadays are bouncing back from injuries that would end a player's career before.  I expect Jeremy to play for the Hawks this year.  We may need his assists more than his point with this team.