“Before free agency started, I didn’t think there was any chance I was going to any other team. All I wanted to do was go back to New York and play in front of those fans who embraced us this past season, and at that time, all I was hearing was “you’re gonna be a Knick”
Fans were stunned when the Knicks decided to move on without re-signing global phenomenon and fan favorite, Jeremy Lin. Now it’s time to see how Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony feels about Lin ‘moving on’.
“Everybody knows what he did for us as a team, what he did for him, and what he did for basketball. For me to see him move on, I don’t want to say sad, but I didn’t want to see him leave so fast.”- Carmelo Anthony
July 19: Jeremy Lin arrived in Houston yesterday for a team physical. His introductory press conference will be held today at 4 p.m. on ESPN.
(via @linlinmamy)
“I loved this past year with the Knicks and truly appreciate the opportunity that New York gave me. The way the fans fully embraced me and our team was something I’ll always cherish forever. It was an extraordinary and unforgettable time that was easily the best year of my life. Now I am excited to be back with the Rockets. They made a very compelling pitch in terms of what I could bring to the team and for the city. I am also impressed with Mr. Alexander and the management’s commitment to improving the team. I’m excited about contributing to the Rockets winning tradition and competing with my new teammates.”
- Jeremy Lin
Hours after unexpectedly becoming a Houston Rocket, Jeremy Lin spoke to Sports Illustrated. Here are some quotes from the article, some of which are hard to swallow for Knicks fans:
On which team he preferred: ”Honestly, I preferred New York. But my main goal in free agency was to go to a team that had plans for me and wanted me. I wanted to have fun playing basketball. … Now I’m definitely relieved.”
On having dinner with Woodson in late June: Woodson was saying, ‘You’re going to be a starter, you’re going to be a big part of the team. I came away really excited.”
On finding out about Felton to Knicks while surfing internet: ”Felton’s signing was the first time when I thought, ‘Oh, wow, I might not be a Knick. The next time he heard from an executive in the organization, it was to tell him the Knicks were letting him go.
On sitting out Game 5 vs. Heat: ”Every single vet on our team that has been in the league longer than five years pulled me aside and told me that I shouldn’t play. And I had arguments with them about why I should.”
The decision is in, and the Knicks spokesman has confirmed earlier reports that the Knicks will not match Houston’s offer sheet for Jeremy Lin. They have opted to leave his 3-year/$25.1M contract in the dust, and move on using 39-year-old point guard Jason Kidd, and 28-year-old point guard Raymond Felton instead. Lin’s proposed contract, which included a $14.8 ‘poison pill’ in the third year, was not in their best interest as their decision was reported to of been a financial one.
The Knicks had every reason to keep Lin- he was young talent with potential, a fan favorite, a winner, and most importantly (to the Knicks)- he would of sold more merchandise than we’ll ever know. As reported this morning, the ‘stretch provision‘ would of also given the Knicks an easy way out financially if Jeremy Lin didn’t live up to his expectations, but either they didn’t get the memo, or just didn’t care. The fact that they were prepared to match at all costs, and suddenly decided by 4 p.m. on decision day that they would part ways means one thing to me- that there’s more to the story.
Howard Beck of the NY Times reports the Knicks have finished deliberations. According to those with knowledge of the deliberation, as of 4 p.m. the Knicks have decided not to match Houston’s offer for Jeremy Lin. Though the deliberations were said to be over, this is not an official announcement. The Knicks, who have until 11:59 EST tonight, are expected to announce their decision this evening.
Beck also reports it was ultimately a financial decision as the revised offer, which paid out $5M in year one, $5.2M in year two and the ‘poison pill’ of $14.8 in year 3, was just too much for James Dolan and the Knicks to take on. Lin would of cost the Knicks an estimated $43 million in 2014-15, which most people, including the Knicks front office, thought was too much.
Jeremy Lin’s career took off with the Knicks during a stretch of games titled “Linsanity“. Saving the Knicks from a subpar season, he led them on a 7-game winning streak- putting them back on the map. Since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976, no player has scored more points in their first 5 starts than Jeremy Lin with 136. But it wasn’t just his underdog story, or his talent that made people “Lin-sane” over Jeremy- it was the fight, excitement, and energy he brought to Madison Square Garden each and every game. It will surely be missed as Jeremy Lin is expected to be a Houston Rocket.
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