Jeremy Lin is no longer a force of one in NBA circles. And the Brooklyn Nets star swing-man couldn't be happier about losing his distinctive status. Lin wasted little time shouting out Chinese Basketball Association star Yi Jianlian on his recent return to the NBA, instantly taking to Twitter to celebrate his return as one of the few Asian born players in league history.

Back After Four Years

The 28-year-old seven-foot forward recently inked a one-year deal with the Lakers, marking the first time he has been a part of a NBA roster since 2012.

If only Jianlian can take advantage of his second NBA chance as well as Lin (12 points, four assists, three rebounds over his six-year career) has his.

After being taken as the sixth overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, Jianlian largely floundered, bouncing between five teams in five seasons, never averaging better than 12 points a game after being touted as the "next Yao Ming."

Meanwhile, after entering the league as an undrafted rookie with Golden State in 2010, Lin has never looked back since catching his big break with the Knicks two years later when the era of "Linsanity" was born.

Jianlian the new Lin? Numbers in China

If his most recent season with Guangdong of the Chinese league is any indication, Jianlian may finally be ready to cash in on all his promise. He averaged 27.7 points per game and 10.9 rebounds for the Southern Tigers during the 2014-15 season.

Prepping for their first season of the post Kobe Bryant era, the Lakers signed Jianlian to an incentive laden deal that could be worth as much as $8 million.

It's a short time to make a fast impression, which could just be the kind of added motivation Jianlian needs to finally carve out his own NBA niche, just the way Lin has.

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