A specialist said there’s a possibility that Brooklyn Nets point guard Jeremy Lin will not be able to regain his full form after rupturing his right patellar tendon in their season-opener against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Dr. James Gladstone, an orthopedic surgeon and co-chief of sports medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told the New York Post that many things should be considered in Lin’s season-ending injury. Gladstone said that the injury must first heal back into place and second, the tendon should have the right tension when it heals.
If it stretched out when healed, it may not generate the same force through the knee, the doctor added. Gladstone added that the rehabilitation process will be longer and more involved for an athlete like Lin.
Lin could end up like Victor Cruz
Lin's doctor said that while the injury is the same as what New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz went through, some individuals tend to heal very differently. Gladstone said Lin could make a 100 percent recovery or he might end up like Cruz, who regained only 80 percent of past potential after suffering the same injury. Cruz tried to return to the NFL this season with the Chicago Bears but was cut in the preseason. Last season, Lin signed a three-year deal worth $36 million with the Nets.
However, he was limited to 36 games due to hamstring troubles, averaging 14.5 points, 5.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game. Previously, Lin suited up for the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nets eyeing Jameer Nelson
According to Clutch Points, the Nets are eyeing veteran Jameer Nelson as a replacement for Jeremy Lin.
Nelson was recently waived by the Denver Nuggets and could become available after he clears waivers Friday. As a 13-year veteran, Nelson could become a reliable playmaker and mentor for the Nets’ young players. The Nets have $3.4 million in available cap space to sign Nelson but they have to release a player just to accommodate the veteran, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN Insider Bobby Marks.
The Nets can also apply for the Disabled Player Exception for Lin, where they can get an additional $6 million cap space to sign another player. With Lin’s injury, the Nets will bring back D’Angelo Russell to his previous position at point guard, while Isaiah Whitehead and Spencer Dinwiddie will back him up. The Nuggets released Nelson after they acquired veteran Richard Jefferson days before the start of the regular season.
