Well, except for a month and a half back in 2012 when Lin was probably the best player in the world.
On February 4 of that year, an undrafted, Asian, Harvard alumnus (you don’t see that combo very often) was at the center of the basketball world. The then unknown player stepped onto the court that night for the New York Knicks, after sleeping on a teammate’s couch the night before, and started the most improbable 26-game stretch we’ve ever seen in the history of the sport. And in honor of what is most likely Lin’s final moments in the NBA spotlight, we take a look back at the best moments from the Linsanity era.
The birth of Linsanity
During the first 22 games of the 2012 season, Jeremy Lin was not a factor at all. He logged 9 DNP's (Did Not Play), was inactive for 4 games, and played for more than 10 minutes only once. But on February 4 of that year, Knicks' head coach Mike D'Antoni wanted to try something new after having lost 11 of their last 13 games. Lin was D'Antoni's gamble. That night, against star point guard Deron Williams, Lin played 35 minutes and collected a stat line of 25 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals.
It wasn't a fluke
Many dismissed the New Jersey Nets game as a fluke. It's not rare to see a bench player erupt for the odd 20-point game. But Lin was out to prove that he was not a flash in the pan. Two days after the Nets game, Lin went off for 28 points, 8 assists, and 2 steals against a visiting Utah Jazz.
The Black Mamba is introduced to Linsanity
Reporters: What can you say about Jeremy Lin?
Kobe Bryant: I have no idea what you guys are talking about.
Jeremy Lin: 38 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Kobe: ..........
Lin's version of "The Shot"
Lin would eventually win a championship with the Toronto Raptors. But against them on Valentines Day 2012, he took a cold-blooded three that would end up becoming one of the most iconic shots of his 9-year career. Let's call this one The Heartbreaker at Air Canada Center.
Taking down the greats
After basically humiliating Kobe Bryant, Lin went on to take down another legend in Dirk Nowitzki. At this point, the Knicks have lost only once in 8 games and Lin was averaging almost 25 points per game. Nowitzki may have scored more points but Lin dominated on both ends of the court to claim the win with 28 points, 14 assists, and 5 steals.
Well, except for a month and a half back in 2012 when Lin was probably the best player in the world.
On February 4 of that year, an undrafted, Asian, Harvard alumnus (you don’t see that combo very often) was at the center of the basketball world. The then unknown player stepped onto the court that night for the New York Knicks, after sleeping on a teammate’s couch the night before, and started the most improbable 26-game stretch we’ve ever seen in the history of the sport. And in honor of what is most likely Lin’s final moments in the NBA spotlight, we take a look back at the best moments from the Linsanity era.