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Five weeks after he went down with a strained hamstring, Jeremy Lin
finally returned to practice Friday. Kenny Atkinson did not provide a
timetable but said he would not play Saturday night in San Antonio vs.
the Spurs.

Atkinson said of Lin, "He looked good out there. He moved well. I was a
little nervous playing him because it has been so long.

"No timetable, I think we're just...after practicing today, we'll see
how he looks tomorrow and get feedback form our medical team and our
performance team. I think he's thrilled just to be out there jut to mix
it up a little bit."

It's not just about on-court performance, Atkinson added.

"His presence is huge for us. It's huge for us in the locker room --
he's been great, helping, very supportive of the guys, it's just
different when you're out there sweating with the guys, getting the
guys huddled together. You see that difference, not only playing but
the leadership ability. It's going to help us."

Lin went down November 2, when the Nets were 2-3. They played well
initially but then collapsed as both his back-ups — Greivis Vasquez
and Isaiah Whitehead joined him on the trainers table, Vasquez with
recurring ankle problems and Whitehead with a concussion. Vasquez was
later bought out when it was determined he needed ankle surgery.

The Nets are 4-12 since Lin went down.

Brooklyn has four games next week, vs. the Rockets on Monday away; the
Lakers Wednesday at home; followed by the Magic on Friday and the 76ers
on Sunday both away. Lin of course played for both the Rockets and
Lakers.

Meanwhile, Lin’s new backup, Spencer Dinwiddie, a 6’6" combo guard
called up from the D-League, practiced today as well.

"It's gives us another chance to look at a guy who's been good in the D
League. It was a smart move by Sean," said Atkinson of Sean Marks, the
Nets GM.

Barring any setbacks or new injuries, the Nets should be fully healthy
for the first time this season when Lin steps on the court.

Atkinson also praised Caris LeVert, who made his NBA debut on
Wednesday, grabbing four rebounds and garnering three steals in less
than 10 minute. He hadn’t played since last December when he broke his
left foot in a game at Michigan.

"For a kid who hasn't played in a long time to come out and look like
an NBA player, I look at that as a real positive," said the coach.

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