Mike D’Antoni surprised New York Knicks did not retain Jeremy Lin – NBA Update
Mike D’Antoni was the person responsible for giving a chance to Jeremy Lin while he was the head coach with the New York Knicks. He quit the post a few games after, however despite his abrupt exit from the team, D’ Antoni has been
very interested in the situation currently going on with his ex-team and was surprised to find out that the Knicks have chosen not to retain Lin, there 26 game wonder from last season.
The decision from the Knicks management to not match the offer worth $25 million for three years puts an end to the Linsanity phenomenon in the Big Apple.
"No. Not when the kicker was they can match. I'm thinking, for sure," said D'Antoni. "Even when I was there, well at least we got him; we don't have to worry about him blowing up and us not being able to afford it."
Knicks had shown intentions of going to any lengths to bring back Lin for next season, however the lucrative offer made by Houston was deemed too expensive to match, eventually. Had the Knicks chosen to match the offer, they not
only would have paid $15 million in the third year but also face the possibility of paying double the amount in luxury tax.
There is also a fact that Lin’s performances in the 26 games may be sensational on paper however it is too small a time frame to judge his talent, and sign him for such a huge contract. However, D’Antoni thinks that Lin would have
gone on to improve and be a great prospect for the Knicks.
"For 20 games he was one of the best in the league and he was dominating from the headlines to even on the basketball court. So you can't discount that he'll never be able to do it, because not only did he do it, he did it at the
highest level possible.” – D’Antoni
However despite the popular demand for the Chinese born player to stay in New York, even from All-star Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler, Lin is on his way to Houston to join a team that waived him off before the start of last
season.
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