Lin’s most memorable run came the following season with the New York Knicks. The Knicks claimed Lin off the waiver wire in late December once injuries started to pile up.
With the Knicks on a downward trend heading into a February 2012 contest against the New Jersey Nets, New York head coach Mike D’Antoni opted to give Lin a shot at real minutes. Jeremy rewarded his coach’s trust with 25 points and 7 assists on 10/19 shooting off the Knicks’ bench.
That game officially kick-started “Linsanity.” Over an 11-game span in February 2012, Lin led the Knicks with 23.9 points and 9.2 assists per game on 50% shooting. New York went 9-2 during that stretch with Lin as the team’s focal point. Lin went from sleeping on his friend’s couch to becoming the biggest attraction in the “Big Apple.”
Lin was able to get a big contract with the Houston Rockets in the offseason thanks to the international attention he received during “Linsanity.” Lin played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks after spending two years in Texas. The Toronto Raptors, the 2019 NBA champions, were Lin’s previous team.
In the hopes of getting another chance at the NBA, he carried on with his career playing abroad in China and Taiwan. However, that chance never materialized.
Over nine NBA seasons, Lin averaged 11.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 43.3% from the field. In the hopes of getting another chance at the NBA, he carried on with his career playing abroad in China and Taiwan. However, that chance never materialized.
