Jeremy Lin must take the blame for his departure from the New York Knicks. All those who are condemning the Knicks front office for not matching the Houston Rockets’ back-loaded offer must stop and read into it further. One word becomes apparent: Betrayal.
The undrafted point guard received a final offer sheet of $5 million in the first season, $5.2 million in the second and $15 million in the third from the Rockets. A “ridiculous” offer in the eyes Knicks All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony – an offer that if matched by New York, would’ve cost $35 million or more in luxury tax penalties.
Lin to Houston, Knicks owner Dolan fails again
Lin, after making $788,000 last season, said recently that he wanted to remain in The Big Apple yet signed the lucrative offer sheet with the team that originally cut him. Where was the loyalty to the team which gave him his big opportunity and the owner in James Dolan who told him, “We have plans for you.”
Knicks coach Mike Woodson reiterated the owner’s comment too, saying, “You’re going to be a starter, you’re going to be a big part of the team.”
So Jeremy, my question is this: Why would you go sign the Rockets final offer sheet? You said to ESPN recently that the signing of Raymond Felton was the first time you thought you might not be at the Knicks next season – I say they were just making an intelligent and sound business decision by covering their rear, both from a positional and financial standpoint.
I use the word “final” because Houston initially presented Lin with an offer sheet of four years, valued around the $28 million mark. New York continually conveyed to Lin that they would match the offer so, I ask again, IF Jeremy Lin wanted to remain in New York, why oh why would he go back to Rockets management and sign the revised contract offer?
One could sum it up as simple as this – Lin backed Dolan into a corner demanding more money and on the flipside, Dolan felt betrayed and was content to not match Houston’s offer. As ESPN analyst and insider Stephen A. Smith wrote on ESPN.com, “He (Lin) is not Chris Paul. He is not Deron Williams, Derrick Rose or Rajon Rondo. He’s no Tony Parker or Russell Westbrook, either. Until further notice, he doesn’t even measure up to Mike Conley.”
Smith added, “Jeremy Lin is a slightly above average player – one who excels outside of conventional offences, primarily when he’s allowed to run around like a chicken with its head cut off, and without the responsibility of being a floor general.”
I wholeheartedly agree with Stephen A.
Lin will take over as starting point guard in Houston, while Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd will be the top options for New York.
Enough of the past though. Here’s where it gets interesting.
Lin, who averaged 14.6 points, 6.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 35 games with 25 starts, may well be the attractive item for the most talked about player on the market, Dwight Howard. The All-Star big man has mentioned several times he would only sign an extension with the Brooklyn Nets and not with the Rockets.
Will we see a change there? It wouldn’t be a surprise if Dwight changed his mind once again.
Nick Jungfer
Roar Guru
You're just on fire Scotty B. You're bang on about about Screamin A Smith too, things like this are all he's good for: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQnu83R5CuM
Mushi
Guest
On the worth. Bit late for the Knicks to be value buyers. Carmelo and amare aren't max players (especially together) let alone factoring in chandler gallo et al. Then worth - given the cap situation in basketball terms as long as he's worth the tax payers exception then he's worth the value over replacement right? So is it commercial worth? Lin helps their media business more than any mid level player can. We've all seen the stock charts for what the market thinks lin's worth and it thinks you're crazy if you can't see how Lin can offset his tax bill. Purely as player you can get comfortable with his salary if the buyer believes there is upside? Yes he's only got a 25 game resume and whilst it is tough to believe he's going to continue as a 20 PER guy that sample size is large enough to suggest he can play at a level that can be effective. Plus he has a high turnover rate which normally indicates the ability to develop as a player and just went to a coach that let pgs run the show. If the options are mike Conley, dragic or Lin At that salary level i can see how some takes Lin if they're looking at three years from now and think he gives them the ability to pay luxury tax.
Mushi
Guest
A little bit of misdirection there cameron you said what jeremy lin has done is an act of betrayal. And apparently if you disagree you are in awe of Lin. You've presented nothing half way decent to support that. Yes loyalty does exist in pro sports. But let's consider the virtuous Knicks, the vestal virgins he has betrayed. He started just 25 games with them Let just also let go his best friend and longest serving player drafted by the Knicks from last years roster They fired the coach who gave him the start The star player labelled the idea of Lin being paid over three years what he will virtually get paid in one as ridiculous clearly valuing Lin as worth only a mid level They do not have single life time Knick outside of shumpert who is still on his rookie contract. How do you look at that situation and say hey they've built a culture of loyalty and support! Where is the loyalty for making the Knicks relevant again from Dolan? Yes loyalty exists but here 29 games is supposed to be the bonWorth that amount? Think for
Eric George
Roar Rookie
It's a bit dismissive to just pass off some very extensive and lucid arguments as "being in awe of Lin". I'm not convinced anyone is dismissing the cause of loyalty in sports, but rather that it doesn't really apply here! He only has played 35 games for the team, and was the beneficiary more from circumstance than any sort of goodwill or long term development on the Knicks behalf. As far as his value goes, is he not one of if not the most marketable stars in an Asian market that has been hugely important for the Rockets over the past decade?
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
To the owner, to the GM and coach, to the team, fair enough who wouldn't take that money however he isn't worth that amount. There is loyalty in pro sports and to say there isn't well you're just kidding yourself.
Mushi
Guest
Not in awe, just can't see on what planet he owes James Dolan anything.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Lin was a definate starter at the PG sport in NY next season. I think the way Lin emerged and went global still has everyone in awe of him and that is apparent in many of the comments. I do like a nice debate though.
Dave Edwards
Roar Pro
Agree with most of the comments here. Lin owed the Knicks nothing, let alone Dolan. Do you really think anyone owes the owner of an NBA franchise anything? Houston knows the (non basketball-related) value that Lin brings to the table from their days with Yao Ming. Dolan should have had a more far-sighted view, sucked up his ego and forked out for Lin... but rich guys who own NBA teams don't do sensible things like that.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
This is no loyalty in Pro sports particularly the all about me NBA. Lin would have been crazy not to sign that lucrative deal. Where is the betrayal. This is uttter nonsense. Yes the Knicks gave him a shot and he took it and fair play to him. Remember the has been cast adrift by several other teams and the one team that gave him a shot chose not to match the Rockets offer sheet, that's business. Who know's if Linsanity is a flash in the pan, the Knicks are gambling that he probably is while the Rockets are desperate to get a team together and paid overs to get him. He will start in Houston which may not have been the case in NY despite his hot streak.
Scotty Barby
Roar Guru
Betrayal? Huh? I think the whole Lin ordeal is simply a product of the CBA; The only way the Knicks could offer Lin a contract in the ballpark of his market value was to allow Lin to engage another team in free agency and then match that offer. Lin had no choice in this matter. None. Not without a competitive bid from another team first (unless he wants to keep sleeping on couches). For those who think that Lin owed the Knicks and should have settled for a deal that would have paid him significantly less (we're talking double-digit millions), please feel free to re-join us from 1978 and leave your agenda at the door next time. We're talking about a guy who has barely made a million dollars, church change by NBA standards and insulting given his production. Lin wasn't being greedy for engaging in the free agency process, he simply "followed the rules". Lin had to play ball with any team that showed interest. What this means is that Lin couldn't take a dump all over the negotiating team in order to stay with the Knicks. Once negotiations were underway basic protocol assumes that there's a chance Lin might actually have to play for the interested party in the future. Lin cannot talk with the Knicks at any point about any contract details as it's illegal. Lin wanted the Knicks to match but those words don't mean a single thing as Lin doesn't hold that decision-making power. The Houston Rockets offered whatever they felt was sufficient in order to gain Lin's services. If you think the Rockets would go out of their way to "screw the Knicks", who cares? Good on them. Whether you like it or not it has absolutely nothing to do with Jeremy Lin. The Rockets made a bid based on their perceived worth of Jeremy Lin's services, ruling out the "rumor" that it was Lin himself who forced the Rockets to up their original offer. Even if the Rockets did increase their original offer on their own accord, there is no law stating that they cannot. If anything, it's nothing more than a re-evaluated business decision, one that Jeremy Lin or his agent is not responsible for. The Knicks front office and coach Woodson handed Lin a nice shiny bike and told him to head out and find an offer, not the other way around, all the while stating that they would "match any price". This was one of many stupid moves, which I have no doubt encouraged the Rockets to up their original offer. Under the CBA structure, Lin was forced to sign the Rockets offer. Only one team made Jeremy Lin an offer. He was bound hand and foot, thus leaving it up to the Knicks to respond. Jeremy Lin didn't betray anyone in this process. Lin simply followed the same process as a thousand NBA free agents before him. Only the New York Knicks could turn something so simple into such an unwarranted mess. In order for Jeremy Lin to stay "loyal" as you claim he should, Lin would have had to forgo signing the Houston Rockets offer sheet and allowed the Knicks to offer whatever contract they wanted. Such a move would not only be foolish, it would make Jeremy Lin the dumbest person in the history of professional sports. Fortunately for Lin that title will remain with James Dolan and his New York Knicks. As for Stephen A Smith, there isn't a more worthless "basketball" mind in the media landscape. I would suggest ignoring him unless of course your sole goal is to be entertained by plain ridiculousness and gain a cheap laugh.
Woops
Guest
Betrayal? Please, loyalty is dead. It only takes one look at a re-run of 'the decision' to know that. Lin made a sound business decision. As evidenced by his injury this season, you never know that may end your career, and why not have a 28million dollar contract to fall back on? The Knicks pushed him away by signing Kidd and Felton. Imagine if someone hired 2 new employees to do the same job as you, and another firm was offering more cash. It's a no brainer. The real issue for the Knicks is the huge contracts they are committed to in that year. It will cripple the teams options, and Melo will be traded.
mushi
Roar Guru
Come on Cameron you can’t honestly believe this right. Are you becoming a Stephen A clone? Lin isn’t worth it: It staggers me that someone like Stephen A Smith, a vacuous shock jock whose stock in trade is the absences of analysis in favour of the controversial, thinks that the only place a player’s monetary value can be measured is via on court performance. That’s like ESPN employing Stephen A for insight rather than getting the blood flowing and the web hits up. He’s a more. Enunciated. Version of. Kyle. Sandilands. I wish I could say to even introduce comparisons to Chris Paul, Deron and other max players at that salary level is a new level of outright stupidity from Smith but sadly there are three or four other articles he’s written that you need to suspension of rational though more than a Die Hard movie. Of course he isn’t one of those players, but none of those players are playing for twenty five mil over three years. The Mike Conley comparison is the most apt. He’ll get paid around what Conely gets paid per year. Now Smith says until further notice… but he’s younger so potential can be factored in (especially when you consider he has a high turnover rate). So if you view the Conley and Dragic’s as fair then Lin is only marginally over paid for production / getting rewarded for potential. Also If it comes down to the credibility or Morey or Smith + Dolan in saying a player is worth that. I’m taking Morey. But here’s the biggest argument against “value” reasons for the Knicks. Even if you take the view he isn’t that quality of player the Knicks are capped out. They can’t now use that money elsewhere because it doesn’t exist in that sense. So for Lin they need to look at value over replacement which is either a fat guy (Felton) or Drunk old man (Kidd) hmmm… He is better than those guys (at this point in their careers). So for the Knicks it should have been - will we generate revenues of the $45 to $60m out of Jeremy Lin to offset his salary. The market says yes. Loyalty: The Knicks were forced to use him due to injury and it worked out. Then they fired the coach and installed a system that accentuated Melo and reduced Lin. They hardly had this massive show of faith in the guy. Yes he’s going back to the team that cut him, just like NY was rumoured to be about to do before Linsanity, but so what. The fact the guy doesn’t bear a grudge is some major character flaw. But he should say no because he owes a born into money billionaire a debt of loyalty because….he made said billionaire lots of money? If that’s the case why not just reintroduce slavery. They also told him to go out and get a contract and they’d match. Under the CBA the only way Lin could get any value above his early bird rights was back loading. Yes they revised the offer, surely Dolan saw that coming right? If not maybe he should sign up for ESPN insider and read someone other than Smith? At the same time his new contract backs himself to improve as a player and still be in the league in three years time. How does Carmelo, whose 64.5m contract for the same period of time, is far more responsible for that luxury tax bill and likely repeater offender status, get to say the contract is ridiculous? Then when they bring in a tire add and a drunken corpse to essentially cut into his minutes those are viewed as “sound business decisions” that Lin should just ignore (If Felton doesn’t lose weight he’s a sound business decision right out of the Thomas hand book) yet Lin’s actions are those of Betrayal . Even the system in Houston is more likely to be Lin friendly than Woodson’s IsoMelo.