Jeremy Lin: Former Lakers’ Guard Thriving in NBA Playoffs

Jeremy Lin is yet another ex-Laker thriving for a different franchise

When the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Jeremy Lin, a future first round draft pick and the 2015 second round pick that ultimately turned into Anthony Brown for practically nothing, fans were ecstatic.

Despite struggling and falling out of grace with the Houston Rockets in his final year, many held onto hope that a change of scenery was all that Lin needed to recreate Linsanity in Los Angeles. Ironically, a change of scenery was exactly what he needed, just not to LA.

This year in Charlotte, Lin has played a crucial role for the Hornets, fueling their current playoff run despite posting comparable numbers to past seasons. The gamble of pairing him with star-in-the-making, Kemba Walker, has proven invaluable, as their synergistic relationship has pushed the UCONN product to new levels.

In his playoff games with Buzz City, Lin has improved his scoring from the regular season by over three points a game, hitting clutch shots down the stretch, leading the Hornets to their first two playoff wins in 14 years.

To be completely honest, Lin never got a fair shot in Los Angeles as his role with the team was muddied by head coach, Byron Scott, who failed to lay out any sort of expectation for what he wanted from the once dominant, traditional point guard — a fact that is attested to by Lin’s current success with the Hornets.

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For Lin, it was always about confidence, not only in himself but from his coaches and teammates, paired with opportunity that was responsible for his meteoric rise in New York. Now that he’s regained this, his game is speaking for itself.

This isn’t the first time that the Lakers have let go players who have gone on to have success elsewhere. Off the top of my head, Patrick Beverly, Kent Bazemore, Gerald Green, both Gasols and Hassan Whiteside come to mind. That said, the same claim can likely be made about any other team in the league if you look hard enough.

As a Jeremy Lin supporter, it’s good to see him back doing what he does best, playing basketball and proving people wrong, as opposed to answering questions about why the Lakers are so terrible after every single game.

Next: How the Golden State Warriors' System Could Thrive in LA

The Hornets are set to take on the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the series at 5:00PM at American Airlines Arena in Miami on Wednesday night, so watch make sure to watch for a chance to witness Lin’s reemergence for yourself.