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Nets not aiming to replicate Linsanity, want to attract Asian fans

REUTERS/China Daily

The Brooklyn Nets have grand designs for Jeremy Lin beyond installing him as their point guard of the future.

Lin, an American-born player of Taiwanese descent, will be marketed toward the Asian fan base, team CEO Brett Yormark told TenCent QQ Sports in Beijing.

"I think he gives us an opportunity to tap into a new fan base," Yormark said. "Obviously, the Chinese-Americans throughout the tri-state area - there's over a million of Chinese Americans that reside (there) - many of which reside in Brooklyn. I think over 200,000.

"So to the extent that he can afford us the opportunity to connect to a new fan base, we'll take advantage of that. And I think it will be great to bring a new fan base into the the Barclays Center this upcoming season."

Yormark also dubbed Lin as Brooklyn's "prize" free agent, and hopes he can stabilize the point guard position for the Nets. Having played a bench role in his last three seasons, he'll get plenty of minutes and opportunities with the lottery-bound team.

Of course, the last time Lin got an opportunity to showcase his talents in New York, he quickly shot into superstardom as a member of the Knicks. But Yormark cautioned that the Nets aren't trying to recapture lightning in a bottle.

"We're not looking to replicating Linsanity. I think what you have to do based on his arrival in Brooklyn, let whatever's going to happen, happen organically. We'll let the fans dictate that," he said.

Having said all that, the Nets put out a T-shirt with the word "Linsanity" on it just this week.

- with h/t Netsdaily

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