Despite Jeremy Lin’s scorching preseason, he did not do enough to snag the starting shooting guard spot across from Kemba Walker in the Hornets’ 2015-16 season opener. Instead, it looks like former Tar Heels standout P.J. Hairston is getting the nod.
Lin gained steam as a potential starter at two-guard once small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffered a torn labrum and was lost for the season. Projected SG Nicolas Batum seemed a natural fit for the small forward spot because of his size, while Lin could share ball-handling duties with Walker, who is a scoring point guard rather than a distributor. Instead, head coach Steve Clifford is turning to the mercurial Hairston for his athleticism on the perimeter.
“I think P.J. will end up at (small forward), then we’ll just have to figure it out from there,” Clifford told the Charlotte Observer. “I want to be able to play four out (four perimeter shooters surrounding center Jefferson in the post) as much as we can. I would say P.J. with the first group gives us space shooting and a defender who can guard primary scorers.”
Clifford said that the decision doesn’t reflect on what he thinks of Lin. In fact, he praised Lin, and thinks that a second unit featuring him is one he wants to develop chemistry with, rather than mixing and matching the starting five.
“The group that has been so good is Jeremy Lin and Jeremy Lamb with another perimeter player, plus Cody and Spencer (Hawes). What you like to do is get to groups where they can develop that chemistry. That’s why I don’t like starting different guys on different nights.”
Lin has never been a very good defender, but Hairston has proven very little at the NBA level, and was known as a scorer and 3-point shooter in college with North Carolina, not a defender. Hairston, however, said Clifford is not looking for him to be a primary scorer.
“He wants me to step up to be a defensive role-player and make some shots. He told me in the preseason it’s not all about me making shots, that he wants me to be a defensive stopper,” Hairston said. “He’s just giving me my chance and I want to make the most of it.”
Look for Lin to play big minutes this year, but not start. Clifford clearly sees more value in Lin coming off the bench vs. reserves as a second unit’s primary option.
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