Jeremy Lin is back in New York, but he hopes his next stint in the Big Apple won't carry such a burden for him.
The point guard rose to superstardom overnight in New York City during an unforgettable 26-game run with the Knicks. Lin signed a multi-year contract with the Nets on July 7 to return to the city that never sleeps.
While Lin enjoyed much success during his last run in New York, he revealed it wasn't all positive.
"Everything happened overnight," Lin said Wednesday during his introduction as a Net, according to ESPN. "When it first started, I am not going to lie, it was cool. Then it became a burden because I didn't know what I had gotten myself into. I didn't know how big things had become. One, two, three years removed, every year I embrace it more, every year I am more appreciative, every year I love it more and that is where I am right now."
While Lin, who reportedly signed a three-year, $36 million contract with Brooklyn, enjoyed success across the East River with the Knicks, he doesn't want to be remembered for 'Linsanity.' The point guard is hopeful that the scrutiny of the New York media will look at what he can do now instead of what he did in the past.
"I will be myself but I don't really draw too many comparisons to 'Linsanity' the phenomenon," he said. "I am just going to keep playing. People will always kind of compare me to that. In a lot of ways, not in a negative way or a way that I am offended but it kind of dehumanizes me to refer to me as a phenomenon. I am going to be here, keep playing my game, do the best that I can and whatever you guys want to call it, that is up to you guys."
After bursting on the scene in New York back in 2012, Lin has had stints with the Rockets, Lakers and Hornets. He originally entered the NBA as a member of the Warriors.
Lin, who turns 28 in August, has averaged 11.7 points per game through 369 games in his NBA career.
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