Positional Power Rankings: 30 best point guards in the NBA

Mar 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) pushes Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) away from LA Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeremy Lin

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It is a dark time to be a fan of the Brooklyn Nets. Owner Mikhail Prokhorov mortgaged the team’s future in an extreme win-now move when he acquired Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry from the Boston Celtics back in 2013. Brooklyn proceeded to earn a No. 6 seed and an No. 8 seed in the East the next two seasons. Now that they are terrible, they are in the rare position of being terrible and not having their first round draft picks. Last year’s third overall pick, another high pick this year, and likely one next year will be going to Boston.

Jeremy Lin was brought in to be the Nets point guard last summer. He developed a good relationship with new coach Kenny Atkinson during their time with the Knicks, and their connection was supposed to pay dividends on the court. Lin fits the uptempo, pick-and-rol- heavy Nets’ offense perfectly. However, the season came and he has failed to stay healthy; a factor in the Nets having the worst record in the league.

Though Lin has started only 22 games for the Nets, he has played well and made a difference in his time. They are 7-15 in his starts; a winning percentage of 31.8 percent compared to 17.0 percent without him. The Nets’ recent run, winning five of their last 12 games, has come mostly with him playing. His 13.7 points with 4.9 assists and veteran point guard play make a difference. Though Nets fans are probably disappointed that they didn’t see more Lin this season, he inspires some hope for next season. And any amount of hope is a good thing in Brooklyn right now.

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