The Jeremy Lin free agency took an unexpected U-turn to New York. Instead of returning to the New York Knicks to play alongside Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose and Kristaps Porzingis, the Linsanity opted to sign with the Brooklyn Nets to take over his long coveted starting role in the roster. As the Asian basketball sensation settles down in his new NBA team, fans note that the longstanding rift between him and Carmelo Anthony stood in the way of his supposed comeback to the New York Knicks.
While the Linsanity was born in the New York Knicks, fans of Jeremy Lin had been well-aware of the rumored rift between their idol and franchise face Carmelo Anthony. Given that the playing style of the Asian superstar requires him to handle the ball in the hardwood court, speculations arose that the franchise face of the New York team did not appreciate being outshone. Hence, Jeremy Lin was traded later on to the Houston Rockets with a massive contract - a deal that Carmelo Anthony went on to call "ridiculous."
Did these issues push Jeremy Lin to choose the Brooklyn Nets over the New York Knicks?
"I am pretty far removed from that," said Jeremy Lin of his days with the New York Knicks. He added, "I don't forget about it like it's a bad memory. But for me, I am so far past that. In terms of expectations, when I talk about me growing as a person, one of those ways is the expectations for myself, from the team."
While the Linsanity era lives in the fans of Jeremy Lin, it looks like the Christian star is more than ready and eager to start the next chapter of his life in the Brooklyn Nets. In his years in the NBA, the Harvard alum is finally granted the chance to become a starter and potential face of the franchise.
"Expectations are going to be the same for me. I am going to go in and keep my mind right, keep trying to play for God. The last few years, I have been able to live with the results," said Jeremy Lin of his plans for his new team. Not one to hog the spotlight, the Linsanity appears to be open in sharing the load with fellow newly minted Brooklyn Nets stars and his other teammates.
Lin shared, "It's going to be collective, and Brook [Lopez] is going to be a big, big part of it as well as other players. But I'm definitely coming in [understanding] what my role is. I'm the playmaker. I'm the point guard. I've got to lead. I've got to be an extension of the coach, and I'm not shying away from that role at all."
What do you think? Was it right for Jeremy Lin to shy away from the New York Knicks especially in light of the entry of Derrick Rose to bolster the team led by Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis?
