Jeremy Lin looks on as a member of the Hornets during a game last season in Charlotte. (Photo : Getty Images / Brock Williams-Smith)
Newly acquired Brooklyn Nets point guard has returned to the New York area, years after "Linsanity" erupted when he was a member of the New York Knicks. This time, he wants to his use position to become more of a role model and less of Linsanity the phenomenon.
In a news conference with ESPN, Lin said that he has grown mentally in the few years he's been away from the city of New York. Now that he's back, he said that he is in a platform to "influence" people and help them in "things that are affecting people's lives," which according to him, is not limited to Asians alone. He admitted that the violence and social injustices going on in the world are "much bigger than basketball" and that he is willing to embrace being a good role model.
In a report from the New York Times, Lin declared that he wants to be able to "inspire the next generation" and be more involved in the community. Lin, who is the son of Taiwanese immigrants, first emerged as an influential person with the Knicks, when superstar Carmelo Anthony was injured and Lin, who rarely played, was forced to do so and instantly produced All-Star level numbers for a few weeks, while leading the Knicks to several wins.
However, when asked about the return of Linsanity to Brooklyn, Lin played it down. He said that "it kind of dehumanizes me to refer to me as a phenomenon," before going on to say that he will keep playing his best and let the people refer to it in the manner they want to. He admitted that the comparisons are unavoidable but said he will just keep playing his game and let it speak for itself.
Lin was officially introduced to the media Wednesday in a news conference at the Nets practice facility along with five other new acquisitions - Anthony Bennett, Trevor Booker, Justin Hamilton, Joe Harris and first-round pick Caris LeVert. Lin is projected to be the starting point guard in new coach Kenny Atkinson's system, who is familiar with Lin since he was the assistant coach of the Knicks back when Linsanity first emerged.
Watch one of Lin's finest games during the Linsanity period below:
