Lin says he was open to Knicks return, team wasn’t interested

Turns out, Lin was actually open to returning to the circus act this summer as a free agent… but the Knicks were flat out not interested. Winning 113-71, the Charlotte Hornets and L.A. Clippers played in Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz Arena to a capacity crowd.

Jeremy Lin was open to the idea of returning to New York for the upcoming 2015-16 National Basketball Association season, but the Knicks did not express interest in acquiring their former playmaker.

The Hornets remained unbeaten in the preseason as they pulled away late in the fourth quarter to tally a 97-93 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday, October 17 in Charlotte. But the 27-year-old believes those feelings aren’t reciprocated by the Knicks. I’ve always been open to it, ever since I, you know, I don’t want to say I necessarily left, ever since [they decided they didn’t want to re-sign me]. Going back to Lin would send a weird signal to Anthony, who has been the team’s focal point from a marketing standpoint.

In year one with the Houston Rockets, Lin shared the ball-handling duties with James Harden, averaging 13.4 points, 6.1 assist but continued to struggle with turnovers, committing 2.9 turnovers per game.

The Knicks are filled in their point guard spot with Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant and Langston Galloway. Emotions man. I’ve been to World Series and Stanley Cups and Playoff Football and I’ve been to nearly every Hornets/Bobcats/Hornets game that has come to the New York and New Jersey area but that game will be in my all time favorite list. So as much as a few fans would have liked a repeat of Linsanity, it was never a realistic option.

Lin, 27, is optimistic about his new role in Charlotte. Frank Kaminsky, who was the Hornets’ ninth overall pick, had a good night, finishing with 11 points, eight boards and three assists.

Cleanthony Early had 17 points on 7 of 12 shooting.

Three years after Linsanity dominates at the Garden – and the headlines – Jeremy Lin is now on his third team.

“It was very hard for various reasons. I’m not too shocked knowing how these guys play”.

“I felt a little bit of jet lag, but it was good to get back out there, especially to play in Charlotte”, Zeller said.

“When I was a rookie, I put myself through mental torment”.

Batum, who plays small forward, is by and large considered the better player, but the Hornets could use Lin’s popularity in China and Taiwan in terms of ticket sales and apparel, as well as with the Hornet’s new heavy focus on three point shots. “And honestly in this system it’s at times interchangeable”.