Linsanity was huge because Jeremy Lin was balling out. There may have been a perfect storm in play, he may not ever be able to specifically duplicate that run, and history may tell us that Mike D’Antoni had a bigger hand in orchestrating the whole affair than anybody’s ever given him credit for. But Jeremy Lin is still a good player. Maybe not an All Star, but certainly not a fluke. Or selfish, New York.
Here’s what Lin had to say on all that as he reflected back recently at his introductory press conference in Houston (via to the MercuryNews.com):
As he looked back on the craziest year he could imagine, Bay Area native Jeremy Lin conceded to the truth of hindsight. He did let Linsanity go to his head.
“If I’m being honest, in some ways, yes,” Lin told this newspaper. “I fought it every day. But I think subconsciously it had its effect, everyone catering to you. People were saying only good things for so long that when people said negative stuff, it was like, ‘Whoa, what’s going on?'”
After Lin signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the Houston Rockets, a lot of negative things were said. He’s selfish. He’s all about the money. His ego is out of control. And, to top it off, many deemed him a basketball fluke who already has maxed out his potential. But Lin is happy.
He said he is thankful for his time in New York with the Knicks, the ride of a lifetime. He said he is eager about his future in Houston and the possibilities with his new team. And he doesn’t seem too concerned with repairing his image or proving himself right. He said too much is going well to be worried about the negative.
“It’s not about who’s right or who’s wrong. I’m going to respond with love,” Lin said. “That’s why I’m in this position, to show love and become a better person. I’m trying to focus on the right things. I’m thankful for everything that’s happened. The Lord has blessed me so much.”
The NBA didn’t give Jeremy Lin an opportunity to earn a consistent wage in their League until Mike D’Antoni handed Lin the basketball. Mike D’Antoni gave Jeremy Lin his chance, not the New York Knicks. After handing him the ball and saying do whatever you want, the Knicks canned D’Antoni. Mike Woodson, maybe because he’s smart and enjoys employment, has aligned himself in the Carmelo Anthony camp. He’s gonna ride or die with Melo, and Melo never really was feeling the Jeremy Lin brand of basketball. Neither side would be right in this, and neither side is wrong either. Which is all why Lin made the best decision possible for both parties.
Whether he was selfish or not, Jeremy Lin needed to cash in as much as possible on his 15 seconds of proverbial fame. The Rockets can continue to capitalize on the Asian market that Yao helped develop, and maybe Lin ends up being the player that Daryl Morey thinks he can be. Lin wouldn’t have been that player in New York, because the ball is going back in Carmelo’s hands to stay. So Lin should be thankful for everything’s that’s happened, and the Knicks should be too. Linsanity would’ve ended in disaster if he stuck around Broadway any longer.
