The Rise and Fall of Linsanity: How Jeremy Lin Captured the NBA and Became a Global Icon
On February 10, 2012, Kobe Bryant was asked what he thought about Jeremy Lin, the New York Knicks’ backup point guard who had just begun to make waves in the NBA. Kobe’s response was dismissive: “I don’t even know what he’s doing. I have no idea what you guys are talking about.” But less than 24 hours later, Lin dropped 38 points on Kobe and the Los Angeles Lakers, cementing his place in basketball history. What followed was one of the most improbable and electrifying stretches of basketball the league has ever seen.
Jeremy Lin’s meteoric rise, known as “Linsanity,” captivated fans around the world. But his journey to stardom was anything but easy. From being undrafted and nearly out of the league to becoming a global sensation and ultimately an NBA champion, Lin’s story is one of perseverance, resilience, and the power of believing in yourself when no one else does.
The Early Struggles: Undrafted and Overlooked
Jeremy Lin’s journey began at Harvard University, where he set multiple school and Ivy League records during his four years with the basketball program. Despite his stellar college career, Lin wasn’t considered NBA material. Scouts doubted his athleticism and questioned whether his skills would translate to the professional level. Their doubts culminated in Lin going undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft.
“I was pissed,” Lin later admitted. “I went to Wingstop with my family. We ordered 100 wings and four things of French fries, and I just stuffed my face.”
To make matters worse, no team initially showed interest in signing him for training camp or even a summer league roster. That is, until Donnie Nelson, the general manager of the Dallas Mavericks, saw an opportunity. Nelson had recently partnered with Chinese investor Sonny Xiao to form a new NBA Development League affiliate and believed Lin’s Chinese-American heritage could help bring in fans. Lin was given a summer league spot, but it was clear that he was viewed more as a marketing tool than a legitimate NBA prospect.
At the Mavericks’ summer league training camp, Lin faced yet another uphill battle. The team was already loaded with guards, and Lin knew the odds of earning an NBA contract were slim. “Every year in summer league, there’s like three or four players who earn a legit NBA contract,” Lin said. “That’s it.”
But Lin’s fortunes changed during a summer league game against the Washington Wizards and their No. 1 overall pick, John Wall. When Dallas’ starting point guard went down with an injury, Lin was called off the bench. He played with an intensity that caught everyone’s attention, locking down Wall on defense and attacking the basket with confidence. Although the Mavericks ultimately decided not to sign him, Lin’s performance piqued the interest of other teams.
A Dream Come True: Signing With the Golden State Warriors
As a Bay Area native, Lin jumped at the chance to sign with the Golden State Warriors, the team he grew up idolizing. It was a dream come true for Lin, but his rookie season was far from easy. He spent most of his time in the D-League, where he dominated with averages of 18 points and 4.4 assists per game. However, when called up to the Warriors, Lin struggled to find his footing.
“If there is one word that could define my rookie season, it would just be anxiety,” Lin confessed. The pressure to prove himself, coupled with the weight of expectations from his family and friends, left him overwhelmed. Despite his best efforts, the Warriors waived him after his first season.
Cut Twice in Two Weeks: On the Verge of Giving Up
The 2011 NBA lockout delayed the start of Lin’s second season, but he spent the downtime working out three times a day to prepare for his next opportunity. When the lockout ended, the Houston Rockets signed Lin, but he found himself buried on the depth chart behind a long list of point guards, including Kyle Lowry, Goran Dragić, and Jonny Flynn.
By Christmas, Lin was cut by the Rockets. It was the second time in two weeks that he had been waived, and Lin was on the verge of giving up. “I called my agent and told him to just tell them to cut me,” Lin recalled. But his agent urged him to keep pushing, and Lin eventually landed with the New York Knicks. However, his contract was non-guaranteed, and he was one bad practice away from being out of the league for good.
Linsanity Begins
Lin’s opportunity finally came on February 4, 2012, in a game against the New Jersey Nets. With the Knicks struggling and running out of options, head coach Mike D’Antoni put Lin into the game. Lin responded with 25 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, leading the Knicks to a much-needed victory.
The performance earned Lin his first career start in the Knicks’ next game against the Utah Jazz. He didn’t disappoint, scoring 28 points and dishing out eight assists in another win. With injuries sidelining stars like Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, Lin became the focal point of the Knicks’ offense. Over the next two weeks, he put up historic numbers, including a 38-point performance against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.
Lin’s rise was unprecedented. He became the first player in NBA history to score at least 20 points and dish out seven assists in each of his first five starts. Fans around the world were captivated by his Cinderella story, and “Linsanity” became a global phenomenon.
The End of Linsanity
As quickly as Linsanity began, it started to fade. The return of Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire disrupted the chemistry that had fueled the Knicks’ winning streak. Anthony’s preference for isolation plays clashed with Lin’s pick-and-roll style, and his production began to decline. A torn meniscus ended Lin’s season prematurely, and the Knicks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
In the offseason, the Knicks decided not to match a three-year, $25 million offer sheet Lin received from the Houston Rockets. Rumors swirled that Anthony wasn’t interested in sharing the spotlight with Lin, and the franchise let him walk.
Life After Linsanity
Lin’s time in Houston was marked by ups and downs. He played well as the Rockets’ starting point guard but was forced into a secondary role after the team acquired James Harden. Despite flashes of brilliance, including a career-high 38-point game against the San Antonio Spurs, Lin struggled to find consistency. He was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
In Los Angeles, Lin had the opportunity to play alongside Kobe Bryant. But tensions between the two quickly arose, with Lin later admitting that he and Kobe didn’t speak for the final four months of the season. After one disappointing year with the Lakers, Lin moved on to the Charlotte Hornets, where he thrived as a sixth man and helped the team reach the playoffs.
Lin’s next stop was Brooklyn, where he reunited with former Knicks assistant coach Kenny Atkinson. Lin was finally given the keys to an offense, but injuries derailed his tenure with the Nets. A ruptured patella on opening night of the 2017-18 season marked the beginning of the end for Lin’s NBA career.
Becoming an NBA Champion
After stints with the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors, Lin found himself on the Raptors’ roster during their historic 2019 championship run. While his role was limited, Lin became the first Asian-American player to win an NBA championship. It was a bittersweet moment for Lin, who later admitted that he struggled with his confidence and felt like he didn’t fully belong.
The Legacy of Linsanity
Jeremy Lin’s NBA career officially came to an end in 2025 when he announced his retirement after stints in China and Taiwan. While his time in the league was marked by highs and lows, Lin’s impact on the game goes far beyond his stats. He broke barriers as the first Asian-American to play in the NBA in the modern era, inspiring millions around the world.
Linsanity was more than just a basketball phenomenon—it was a cultural moment. Lin’s story resonated with anyone who has ever been overlooked or underestimated. His rise from undrafted free agent to global icon is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and self-belief.
Jeremy Lin may no longer be playing in the NBA, but his legacy will live on as one of the most inspiring stories in basketball history.
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