Jeremy Lin says there will always be doubters; Admits ‘Linsanity’ got to him – NBA Update
Jeremy Lin took the basketball world by storm ever since he became the starting point guard for the New York Knicks last season. After being a bench warmer for much of his first year in the league, Lin had his opportunity to shine when he was given the starting position after injuries depleted the Knicks roster.
The guard responded by scoring at least 20 points in 9 out of the 10 straight games, and led the Knicks to a 7-0 winning streak. Since then, he has signed a new three year contract with the Houston Rockets worth a whooping $25 million. However, Lin has been under criticism as well, with many doubting him as a one hit wonder who got over paid on his contract.
“I will always, always have doubters. But I really want to reach my potential to bring glory to God. That is more motivation than haters and doubters. I want to work just as hard, give just as much, whether or not I have haters,” said Lin while talking to San Jose Mercury News.
Lin averaged 18.2 points and 7.7 assists in 25 starts for the Knicks last season, before being sidelined with a knee injury that forced him to miss the end of the season as well as the playoffs.
His rise in the basketball world was dubbed as “Linsanity”, and the point guard of Chinese and Taiwanese descent became an immediate celebrity. Media could not get enough of him and Lin even made it to the cover of Sports Illustrated.
“If I'm being honest, in some ways, yes. 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?’” said Lin talking about the effects his stardom had on him.
Lin became a restricted free agent in July and the Houston Rockets immediately offered him a three year contract worth $25.1 million, with $14.88 million to be paid in the final year. The back loaded contract was too much for the Knicks to adjust in their salary cap and they passed on matching it, after having said on numerous occasions that they would match any offer to keep Lin.
Lin was labelled as selfish and money hungry for going to the Rockets and even accused of playing both sides to increase the value of his contract. The Rockets had initially offered Lin a four year contract with Lin making a little more than $9 million in each of the final two years. But when the offer sheet was shown to Lin, the contract was for three years with the final year worth $14.88 million. Many people believe that the change in the offer came because the Rockets were worried that the Knicks would match the previous offer.
Lin will have much to prove to the NBA world when he takes the court late October for the new NBA season. He will have to prove his worth to the Rockets management, and will have to prove to the world that he was not a one season wonder.
But, at the same time, Lin gets the opportunity to be the point guard of the Houston Rockets, a position every aspiring NBA player would dream to have.
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