Jeremy Lin News: New York Knicks Has Had Enough of 'Linsanity'
Jeremy Lin is reportedly interested in returning to the New York Knicks, but his former team apparently has had enough of "Linsanity."
The Charlotte Hornets guard first shot to fame when he was playing for the New York Knicks and sparked the craze dubbed "Linsanity" three years ago. Jeremy Lin later on clinched a contract with the Houston Rockets as a free agent, but now he wants to return to New York, according to CBS Sports.
Lin's agent reportedly communicated with the Knicks to broach the option of resigning their former point guard. Unfortunately, the Knicks are not interested in experiencing Linsanity once again, the Latin Post reports.
"There was no conversation other than them telling me they weren't interested," CBS quotes Lin's statement to the Daily News on Saturday.
At present, Lin holds a two-year contract with the Hornets worth $4.3 million, but he has always said that he is open to rejoining the Knicks. From being a benched guard, he was able to lead the Knicks to so many wins in 2012, while Carmelo Anthony was not there. The so-called Linsanity led him to a three-year contract with the Rockets worth $25 million. While the Knicks had the chance to match that offer, they did not lift a finger so Lin opted to leave at the time, the report details.
There are several reasons why Lin would not be a good fit for the Knicks right now. First of all, he is not good in defense — a tactic that the Knicks considers a foundation of their identity, the report relays.
It was previously rumored that Carmelo Anthony was the reason why Lin did not remain a restricted free agent. Anthony has become the Knicks' main marketing face, and welcoming Lin once again would be quite awkward.
In addition, the Knicks do not need Linsanity anymore because of all the hype that Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis bring to the team. Lastly, the addition of Jerian Grant has already strengthened the team's performance, especially in the preseason.
Despite the New York Knicks' lack of interest in having Jeremy Lin back, the Hornets point guard said he understands the situation and that there is no bad blood between them.