Ex-Knick Jeremy Lin: In Some Ways, I Let 'Linsanity' Get To My Head
NEW YORK (WFAN) - Now that he's settled in as a Houston Rocket, former Knick Jeremy Lin is taking some time to reflect on what ensued in the past year of his life.
The Harvard alum came out of virtually nowhere and lit a fire under Madison Square Garden, taking New York City by storm and shocking the basketball world night after night.
Now that his Knicks tenure has concluded, what was the era known as "Linsanity" like for the 23-year-old Bay Area native?
In an interview with the San Jose Mercury News, the humble point guard said that his ever-increasing popularity did manage to get to his head.
"If I'm being honest, in some ways, yes," Lin told the San Jose Mercury News in regard to whether his success inflated his ego. "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?'"
Lin said that he wanted to return to the Knicks, but he ultimately chose to sign a lucrative three-year, $25 million deal with Houston. In the aftermath of his decision, reports emerged that Knicks owner James Dolan felt that he was betrayed by his one-year wonder.
Knicks coach Mike Woodson assured Knicks faithful that the team would match the Rockets' offer sheet, and that Lin would be the team's starting point guard. But ultimately, New York decided not to match Houston's offer.
The departure of Lin crushed the hearts of many Knicks fans, though many agreed with the move, arguing that Lin very well may have been a flash in the pan. In any event, the undrafted sensation knows that the critics will always be there moving forward, and that he can't let it distract him.
"I will always, always have doubters," Lin told the newspaper. "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."
The six-foot-three, 200-pounder averaged 14.6 points, 6.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 35 games played for the Knicks in 2012.
Does this admission change your opinion about Jeremy Lin at all? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below...
