Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire Reflect on the Phenomenon of 'Linsanity'
Anthony and Stoudemire discuss how injuries paved the way for Jeremy Lin's rise as a Knicks star.
In 2012, for a brief moment, Jeremy Lin became the unlikely hero of the New York Knicks, igniting a phenomenon known as “Linsanity.” Over a span of ten games from February 4 to February 20, Lin recorded 20 or more points in nine of those outings, helping the Knicks secure an impressive 8-2 record. His crowning glory came with a stunning 38-point game against the Lakers, where he famously outperformed Kobe Bryant. Lin subsequently clinched a buzzer-beating victory against the Raptors, solidifying his status as a household name and kickstarting a nine-year NBA career despite having played only 35 games for the Knicks during a lockout-shortened season.
This breakthrough was largely facilitated by injuries to the Knicks’ stars, Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, which created a significant gap that Lin filled effectively. Recently, both Anthony and Stoudemire sat down together for a podcast hosted by Anthony, titled “7PM in Brooklyn,” where they reflected on the impact of Lin’s remarkable run during their absence. They shared their perspectives on witnessing Linsanity unfold from the sidelines.
In a light-hearted exchange, Stoudemire recalled his return to the court, noting the surprising number of Lin jerseys in the stands and how the entire city was buzzing with excitement. He fondly remembered being amazed when Lin called for a last-minute play, leading to a stunning buzzer-beater.
“Jeremy Lin taking over NYC and the basketball world will NEVER be forgotten š”
“Amar’e: ‘Every game the crowd was going crazy … he kept the wave going.’”
“Melo: ‘We gon’ get Linsanity on here.’”
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Stoudemire humorously recounted his initial confusion during the final possession of the game against the Raptors, wondering why Lin wanted a clear out. Nevertheless, he acknowledged Lin’s impressive shot, which ended up securing the win.
Although Linās role diminished with the return of Anthony and Stoudemire, he maintained a starting position until a torn meniscus cut his season short, preventing him from contributing to the Knicksā playoff journey that year. Anthony and Stoudemire reflected on how their injuries inadvertently opened a significant door for Lin, giving him the chance to shine and take the league by storm.
