The Nets used to have for franchise players the likes of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and several more.
But it seems the mantle will be taken over by Jeremy Lin in the upcoming 2016-17 NBA season, or at least that is what New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony thinks.
On October 7, before the pre-season game between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets, Anthony was quoted as saying that Jeremy Lin is the face of the Nets franchise and subsequently adding the phrase believe it or not.
Anthony said that Lin came up and the Nets paid him so now the ball is in his hands. He said that he is happy for the 27-year-old Harvard graduate, who was previously his teammate with the Knicks. He said that he is also excited for him and how he would turn out to be with the Nets franchise.
While many are saying that what Anthony did was commend Jeremy Lin, critics believe that when he said the phrase ‘believe it or not,’ he was actually making a sarcastic remark and is downplaying the role of Jeremy Lin as the franchise player for the Nets, notes ESPN.
Not so much about being the franchise player
Jeremy Lin shrugged off the comment of Anthony because when he agreed to join the Brooklyn Nets during the offseason, it was not so much about being the franchise player for the team.
He said that the whole team wants to turn things around for the team together because that is what everyone signed up for. He explained that they know that it is going to be up to them as a team to get the work done.
Lin also said that he is not worried at all about the so-called franchise player moniker because he does not really think much about what people on the outside of the organization are saying, reports the New York Daily News.
He said that he was not even aware that Carmelo Anthony spoke of him in the way he did but such praises do not go into his head.
The Nets starting point guard also did not take Anthony’s words as a backhand compliment adding that he does not think that it is a big deal at all.
Lin also said that from his perspective, his relationship with Anthony is solid. He says that whenever he sees him, he always say what’s up.
He added that every time that he runs into him or had any interaction with him, Anthony has been really nice to him, and cordial too.
Lin explained that he has never had any personal issues with Anthony. They have never gotten into a fight or an argument or anything in person or through texts or anything. They never had anything remotely hostile with one another.
Resting the veterans
It could have been good for Jeremy Lin to play the pre-season game between his Nets and Carmelo Anthony’s Knicks but Nets coach Kenny Atkinson decided to rest his veterans in the game.
As a result, the Nets got a 116-98 drubbing from the Knicks. In the previous game against the Detroit Pistons, the Nets won and Jeremy Lin top-scored for the team with 21 markers.
Incidentally, Jeremy Lin is not just looking to become the court general and orchestrate the offense of the Brooklyn Nets, he is also looking to score since he is an offensive player, first and foremost.
The 27-year-old Harvard graduate said that he has become a better shooter because his shooting has vastly improved. He believes that with the improvement of his shooting, it will also open up much of his game.
He also believes that his being a starter with the Brooklyn Nets will also help solidify his yearlong attempt to remake his jumper.
Lin explained that he has been putting up 5,000 jumpers on a weekly basis to improve his shooting touch. Aside from driving the ball to the hoop, he has taken it to task to fire from long distance during his practice.