Wow…all this free agency news is really keeping me on my toes. So in a surprise move, the Knicks sign Jason Kidd and the Lakers get Steve Nash. (I wonder how the Raptors are feeling right now???? Maybe something like this???)
And the image below may be a familiar sight next season, instead of the Knicks’ blue and orange. It has also been confirmed that Jeremy plans to sign Houston’s offer sheet for 4 years and $28.8 million on July 11th. The Knicks have until July 14th to match that offer. I have no doubt that the Knicks will do everything they can to match Houston’s offer. It will be tough though, since Houston backloaded their offer and the Knicks already have the expense of Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, and Iman Shumpert, which equals to about $64.2 million…on top of matching what Houston is offering Jeremy for his 3rd and 4th year.
I wish I could have been a fly on the wall at the meeting between Jeremy Lin and the Rockets’ management team. Can you imagine cutting a player and then 8 months later offering him almost $30 million dollars?! I wonder how many times did Daryl Morey apologize and how hard did they grovel at Jeremy’s feet?! And I’m sure Jeremy remained humble the whole time…because that is just the type of guy he is.
I honestly think Jeremy is playing it smart and keeping his options open, which is a good thing, but that he still wants to remain with the Knicks. And if the Knicks are playing it smart, they will not lose Jeremy to another team…no matter what it will cost them. (Screw the luxury tax!) The Knicks and sadly other teams, like the Dallas Mavericks, know how thin the options are for a good point guard.
So what do you all think about this situation?
Reblogged this on Girls Talking Sports and commented:
I am just a surprised.
-M
He’s a restricted free agent – he’ll become a Rocket ONLY if the Knicks choose not to match the offer Jeremy got in Houston.
The Knicks Mgmt should not have toyed with Jeremy.
The sent Woodson to give Jeremy a signal that they cherished him, but then humiliated him with not having offered anything since July 1. On the contrary, they were chasing Nash so hardly and totally ignored Jeremy. They said nice that they wanted to land Nash as Jeremy’s mentor, now the same saying about landing Kidd. This is absolute not the drama. Dolan is used to using stars to fulfill his championship dream. It never exists in his mind about helping young player develop.
Woodson said all the time that Jeremy would be his starter. But Woodson is not the one making the call. He is a small potato. Jeremy would not buy it even having the dinner in the fancy steakhouse. When the Mgmt stays the same, their star players stay the same, their head coach stays the same, whoever joins in will not help the Knicks win a title.
Why Nash takes less money and joins Lakers? Because Kobe wants him. That’s the point because Nash would not join a team that he was not sure if he could make the stars cooperate with him. Anticipating Kidd to dominate on the court and integrate Melo and Amare does not encouraging anything because it’s unlikely to happen. I don’t believe Melo will listen to a 97M/3 year old man on the court whatever credentials he has possessed (cannot compete with Nash’s at all). Tyson has a ring and he is the only star who has no chemistry problem with the others. But those who have no rings are the trouble makers. This is a nasty environment for Jeremy to stay. Being so believing in God, he has been tortured so much. I’d rather believe that’s test again and again from his God, and after each test (torture), he can get to a higher point.
But why those cunning ones like to toy with such a sincere and graceful person like Jeremy? I always believe, though Jeremy has raked in such a fortune for Dolan, that they in deep of their mind still think Jeremy is a underdog. Some still believe he is a one-year-wonder. But that should not be a justified reason to play him and humiliate him. I honestly believe Knicks wanted to get rid of him when they thought they could land Nash. Even now Knicks still consider those left on the market. I hope Jeremy goes to Houston. He has to prove his capability by accepting challenges in different environment. If he ends up staying in New York because Knicks matches the offer, that’s OK. He is undaunted!
One NY Times columnist said if Knicks fails to keep him, he will come back and bite!
Just one thing… Kidd also has a ring…. he was on the same team as Chandler remember?? And he’s a future HOFer, tho not as weighty as Nash, still not far behind
Tho yes I’m frustrated that New York, like rest of the league is still treating jeremy like an underdog…. how much more does he have to show before ppl don’t think he’s a one hit wonder? Sigh
I think Kidd will be a better fit for the Knicks than Nash would…so that ended up being a better outcome. Though I wonder how the Raptors feel now that their plan to get Nash backfired and I hope they don’t take their frustration out on Landry.
And as for Woodson…I don’t care for him too much. And you are right ic…he is not the main decision maker but also just another pawn. And Dolan is just a greedy person! When he looks at Jeremy or any of the other players…he doesn’t see a person but dollar signs and thinks about how much money they can bring for him.
The sad thing is…some people are always going to think that Jeremy is a one hit wonder. It’s like what Jeremy said, he can’t just have 1 good night…he has to do it over and over and over. And everyone wants to see the superstar fall. Being such a global Asian star is both a blessing and a curse b/c there is so much pressure on Jeremy’s shoulders right now. They must be so heavy…I wonder how he is coping right now. I am glad that his family is not in the spotlight and he is staying away from all the media attention.
You are right Kidd has a ring I almost forgot. I just remember Kidd’s flagrant foul on Jeremy that almost ended hid career!
One columnist said what Jeremy needs is enough play time not a mentor. Kidd said he would be fine to back up Jeremy but he expected to be in the court the final 6 minutes of the game. I don’t know any starter who doesn’t play the final minutes unless he is hurt or gets due fouls. So this is Kidd’s real face he will not be happy to be back up. Sure Jeremy has to work hard to prove himself, but it’s still cruel he has to cope with so many ugly things at this age.
“Of course, the Knicks could’ve thrown four years and $24.5 million at their man out of the gate, but chose to let the market dictate their eventual terms of engagement. If that stance didn’t anger Lin, it did make him wonder if the Knicks thought more of his off-court appeal than his on-court game. Lin was confused by the Knicks’ radio silence, according to a source. From afar Lin watched the Knicks chase after Nash like schoolgirls chase after Justin Bieber, and he watched them land Kidd on the rebound. He was hearing some noise about Felton, who also looked like another Nash under D’Antoni before returning to form in Denver and Portland. Alone with his thoughts, Lin had to be asking himself a lot of questions. Were the Knicks recruiting Nash as the full-time, no-questions-asked starter? Do they think Kidd still has enough in his legs to pose a Tebow-like threat to the first-stringer? Do they believe somehow, some way, they’re going to end up with Chris Paul this time next year?”
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8133974/new-york-knicks-bring-back-jeremy-lin-championship-hopes-rest-shoulders
av….thanks for a link to that article…great read!! I couldn’t have said it any better myself!!! The Knicks will definitely match b/c they don’t have much choice and the fact that they didn’t have an offer out the gate still doesn’t make any sense to me. But now Lin knows the power is in his hands again. And Landry may as well pack for Toronto now…I doubt there will be a match from the Knicks for him.
Oh my goodness free agency has been exciting! Almost a different surprise everyday lol. And seems like every player keeps saying they’re only considering teams A and B, then an hour later gets signed by team C!?
I’m actually a lot happier about signing Kidd than Nash…. because Nash would’ve costed Knicks A LOT (and I don’t think would’ve made them contenders for champions anyways)…. while Kidd seems more reasonable with experience still and doesnt fight Jeremy for the starting spot, haha.
This rockets deal has me puzzled though. Cuz its basically 20 mil/3 years with a 4th year team option (which isn’t that much higher than Landry’s deal actually). Although the Knicks are tight for cap space, seems like everyone expected the deal to be MUCH worse like 15 M in the 3rd year. So they will most definitely match (tho this off season had so many twists and turns so even if they don’t match I wouldn’t be surprised haha). Which brings to the point why did the rockets even negotiate such a deal with Lin then? Seems like the only way for a RFA to not go back to the original team is if you give a big contract to make the other team think twice about matching. At this price it’s 99% chance Knicks will match…. yet the rockets spent 2 days negotiating this deal (not to mention they don’t have a PG now)…. I’m so curious what they were actually negotiating? Cuz the team option is bad for Jeremy too, almost seems like the rockets were negotiating on behalf of the Knicks, these terms certainly makes it a lot easier on the Knicks lol. Or that Jeremy really wants to go back to NY and want terms that are good for Knicks (tho why would he do that to hurt himself financially?)
Oh well the upside to this is that a lot more fans are happy about re-signing Jeremy, cuz they still think he’s unproven and this contract isn’t as risky. And also I imagine it’s good for him on the team too, the other teammates don’t get too jealous, and prob leaves some more money for them.
(btw did you see this pic? Haha http://t.co/RZssk12m )
The offer is tailor-made for the NYK, cheaper than NYK’s allowable max [4/25] The team option makes this only 3/19 guaranteed really. Lesser than Landry’s, even.
Meanwhile, Kidd: “Eventually, yeah, Lin will have the tools. He still has to learn the game but I think EVENTUALLY HE’LL BE A STARTER in this league.”
Ugh, and thinking of the $$$ Dolan will be raking in out of all this…
I agree Turtlek…what an exciting off season! And after reading more commentary and reading what you and av said….I tend to agree. What was all this negotiating for if the NYK’s can so easily match Rockets’ offer??!! And Jeremy must have known that the Knicks could match them…so it makes me wonder why he didn’t negotiate for more..to set his market price higher?
And av…you are so right. The person making the most out of all of this is Dolan!! I feel like he is a greedy person and he wanted to wait and see how low they could get Jeremy for…SMDH!
oh and haha…yea i saw that pic! Houston is really ready for Jeremy to return to their area! Even though it might be too soon for signs like that!
Hi K, been lurking & enjoying your blog, appreciate you maintaining it.
As for Landry, he’d probably be booed at MSG [whether he's resigned for cheap by the Knicks, or visit as a Raptors] for ‘helping’ kill that Nash trade. And maybe even in Toronto by disgruntled Raptors fans, for the bad contract. 20 mil is mighty consoling though.
The Raptors can keep Landry.
LOL…well thanks for stopping by and commenting…I appreciate it! And I agree…Landry is not going to get a warm welcome where ever he goes. And I still can’t believe he came out and said he wants to stay with the Knicks and play with Lin…SMDH…you should have considered that before agreements were made Landry!! Good thing he’s rich though with a hot girlfriend (even if it’s temporary)…that should help ease his pain a little LOL!
Yeah, Toronto is the media capital of nowhere [no offense to canadians, it's a safe lovely city] so bye bye AW [er, social butterfly] gf down the road, probably…
this literally made me LOL…especially the “social butterfly” part…b/c im sure she really loves him and not his fame or money (right…..) But Landry is a man…and u know must of the time, they think with the wrong head. No offense to any of my male readers out there.
LOL at “they think with the wrong head”!!
Haven’t visited for a while and here we have got some new friends here!
Hey J! yup…you know which head Landry is thinking with haha! and yes, definitely have some new friends…so thankful for all of them!!
Honestly I have to say, Jeremy does not look good in Rocket jersey. LOL
I have to agree with you. I don’t know if it’s just not his color, or if he didn’t get enough sleep or what…
I think the picture is photo-shopped. Maybe someone joked about his 20 years later looking. Watch the neck and arms. They are no unreal.
I meant the one with red jersey.
typo, they are SO unreal.
cece…i see what u mean!! it looks like he aged 10 years..with all that loose wrinkly skin! but i dont think that’s a photo shopped picture…i think it’s real. maybe a really bad angle??
Ladies, don’t bother yourselves with how Jeremy looked in 2010.
This is how he looks now, and that’s what matters.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/00SAgIQ2Ok008?__site=daylife&q=Jeremy+Lin
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0gES2Qkg1H9XZ?__site=daylife&q=Jeremy+Lin
LOL
Gosh….his sweetest smile melts me.
ic really knows how to kill us. lol
exactly ic…he is very handsome now and that is all that matters
I think it’s not possible that Landry knew that Raptors used him to kill the Nash dream of Knicks. Raptors could not tell him that! He was surely surprised that Raptors offered him so much. But in his clever Stanford head, I guess he somehow felt confused that he was offered this amount but just accepted.
Knicks fans should not hate him as Landry was in Knicks package to trade to Suns. A young player will not be happy that his team wants to get rid off him. Iman Shumpert who is under rehab now should feel uncomfortable as Knicks consider to trade him in some package as well. I doubt in Dolan’s head there must be something like cement accumulated that shrinking the space for brains, that he can no longer have normal thinking. It’s all Dolan’s fault! He is absolutely not a decent man worth any respect.
Jeremy still holds his religious mind and must believe this is another test God gives him. He cannot force Knicks not to keep him, and he has to face a different situation when he stays. Whatever bumps he has to go through I absolutely believe he will grow in a fast tempo. Rockets should not expect that they can get him this time but just want to try their luck. Perhaps they set the meeting with Jeremy this time to console the hurt they made to him and make him remember their sincerity. This may become an advantage 4 years later when Rockets, among other teams, is going to invite him again. By then Jeremy will still be young, at 27, the hottest era of him just begins, and more important, he can make his own choice 100%.
“…But in his clever Stanford head, I guess he somehow felt confused that he was offered this amount but just accepted.”
Probably too much blood rushing downward, away from his brain…
How come you took time in commenting, av? LOL
fauxscandinavian,
Linsanity.
I totally get it! =P
av…your comment totally made me LOL
ic, i know you don’t mean to be funny, but i love your comments…especially the ones about Dolan, which are hilarious! Dolan’s head is full of cement and thoughts about greed and money. I am sure he is willing to take advantage of all his young players, Shump included. And I can’t be too upset with Landry…$20 million is a lot of money…especially for someone who’s still young and inexperienced, but I hope he enjoys playing for Toronto because I doubt the Knicks will match it. He should have thought about that twice or three times before he made his decision.
As for Jeremy…I am just glad that he will be getting at least $30 million, and this is before endorsements. He was sooo underpaid by NBA standards this season. I mean he woke up Madison Square Garden, sold out stadiums, was the 2nd highest selling jersey, boosted ticket sales, etc….and was making less than $700,000. So I am happy for Jeremy, where ever he ends up spending the next 4 years.
Chris Paul expresses interest in Knicks. He rejected his contract extension for 60M/3 yrs. He sees 108M/5 yrs. All say that Paul is in his prime (27 yrs) and is the most valuable PG in the league. I guess now this is a real issue in Dolan’s mind because he can get Paul with sign-and-trade. This is why there is rumor that Chandler may be traded for Paul. Knicks is getting Camby in anyway, a center to back up Tyson, and perhaps to replace Tyson when needed. In addition, Paul is a good friend to Melo and he says he, Melo, and Amare can form a new triangle — that means no other PG is to fit in this so called new triangle. If he can get Paul, I guess Dolan will not care any luxury tax. In this scenario, re-signing Jeremy Lin becomes an unnecessary issue, and Knicks fans will probably just approve to give up Linsanity and follow Paul.
I always believe Jeremy should look to other chance as any NBA player can play for different teams in his career. Jeremy may want to be just like Kobe to play for only one team in his career but that’s rare. When everybody says that staying in New York is the most lucrative choice, there must be some point to ruin the imagination. What I mean is when all think that’s what’s going to happen, there is quite a possibility that it will not happen! The Chinese has a saying that whatever, however you calculate, you’ll never beat the Heaven’s calculation. This may suit all cases.
Therefore any story can be rewritten: Knicks is reported to match any offer to Lin to 1 billion? How about they keep lin but trade him and Tyson in 2013 when they are able to get Paul in? Knicks decide not to keep Lin anticipating getting Paul in in 2013 and there is Kidd to do the job before that? How about Knicks is to be played by Paul like they were fooled by Nash, and they lost Lin, and the old Kidd has to be used to burst? Knicks succeed and the new triangle is formed as expected and looks gold shining. How about the three fail to work out what they anticipate and it becomes a disaster? Leaving New York is not a good idea for Lin? How about he joins Rockets and makes Linsanity rising again and beats other star PGs that Knicks fans cry to get him back?
There are too many parameters entangled together! But one factor for Jeremy to beat the confusion is he concentrates in hard working and trains himself to be better day by day to establish his irreplaceable value. Reaching that point, no more uncertainty can haunt him as he is the only one who dominates his career.
The worst thing is Jeremy can’t make the decision himself now. It’s all up to Knicks. I believe going to Rocket is a good thing cuz rocket is constructing a nearly brand new team. It’s the chance to see new linsanity. I wish and I pray Knicks not to match the proposal even tho there is only merely few chance.