FILE – Jeremy Lin #17 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 16, 2012 in New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines — For 35 games during the 2011-12 NBA season, New York served as Jeremy Lin’s home.
It was also in New York where he played his best basketball—moments that Lin will forever be grateful for—which is why the veteran point guard vowed to be there for the city especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Linsanity was the most special stretch I’ve had and believe me when I say you guys impacted me far more than I impacted you,” Lin, who now plays for the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association, wrote on Instagram Saturday.
“I wanna be there for you as were for me. Super thankful to the @nyknicks and #msgnetworks for #LinsanityWeek and airing all the games.”
Lin’s rise to stardom after being close to getting cut by the Knicks led to the birth of “Linsanity” one of the most unlikeliest phenomena that took the NBA by storm eight years ago.
For the past five days, the Knicks paid tribute to Lin by re-airing his best performances during that spectacular stretch.
“I hope the past few days and upcoming 3 days bring a smile to your faces and inspiration to the city! I will continue finding ways to give back to the city especially during this crisis,” he said.
“I miss the squad, the fans, the game of basketball. Stay strong and stay together. New York, from the bottom of my heart, I love you!!”
Lin’s remarkable run lasted for 26 games as it ended abruptly due to a knee injury. The Knicks went for 26 games during that span and made the playoffs before losing to eventual champions the Miami Heat in the first round.
The 31-year-old Lin, the first American of Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA, has already pledged up to $1 million to help in the fight against the deadly virus.
New York is the epicenter of COVID-19 in the United States with 308,000 confirmed cases as of posting time.