Sign in Subscribe
Lin, Jeremy

The Rise and Fall of Linsanity: A Journey Through Jeremy Lin's NBA Career

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a stunning turn of events, Jeremy Lin, the journeyman who electrified fans and the nation with his brief stint on the New York Knicks, announced his retirement from professional basketball. Lin's mesmerizing play propelled a moribund team into the playoffs, rejuvenated bored fans, and started a craze dubbed "Linsanity" in 2012. But the phenomenon was short-lived, and Lin's career took a tumultuous turn.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lin played for 15 years on N.B.A. teams and in leagues in Asia, including eight teams in the N.B.A. and a stint overseas in the Chinese professional league.
  • Lin's most iconic moment came during the 2011-2012 season when he led the Knicks on a seven-game winning streak and averaged 22 points a game before the All-Star break.
  • The public's fascination with Lin, dubbed "Linsanity," was so intense that seats in the upper level of Madison Square Garden were going for $150, and fans wore masks with his face and held up signs that said "Madison Square Guard-Lin."
  • Lin's jerseys sold out, and he became a sell-out ticket in the sports world, gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated twice and being named to Time magazine's most influential people of 2012.
  • Lin's journeyman career included a year with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he rejoined Kobe Bryant, and a stint with the Toronto Raptors, where he won a championship in 2019.
  • Lin's greatest career accomplishment came in 2019 when he won a championship with the Raptors, becoming the first Asian American player to win a ring.
  • Lin faced racism and prejudice during his time in the N.B.A., particularly after President Trump called the coronavirus the "China virus."
  • Lin's tea on his career came with a mix of emotions and struggles, as the fame and attention came with a dark side.

Statistics:

  • 15 years: the amount of time Lin spent on N.B.A. teams and in leagues in Asia.
  • 22 points per game: the average points Lin scored before the All-Star break in the 2011-2012 season.
  • $150: the price of seats in the upper level of Madison Square Garden during the height of "Linsanity."
  • Two: the number of times Lin was named to Time magazine's most influential people list.
  • 2012: the year Lin became a household name and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated.
  • 2019: the year Lin won a championship with the Toronto Raptors.
  • 38: the number of points Lin scored in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, various articles
  • Sports Illustrated, various articles
  • Time magazine, "Time 100: The Most Influential People in the World"
  • HBO documentary "38 at the Garden"
  • Jeremy Lin's social media account

Read more