Jeremy Lin failed to become a superstar because of injury problems. Look at the performance of Lin Lin in the Knicks during the crazy period

On July 24, Jeremy Lin's career was like a meteor across the night sky, short but dazzling. On that cold New York night in February 2012, when the Harvard-graduated Chinese point guard was sent on the court by coach D'Anthony, no one expected that this would open one of the most legendary "Cinderella Story" in NBA history. "Linsanity" is not only a sports phenomenon, but also a cultural symbol. It proves to the world that Jeremy Lin has all the talents and strength to become an NBA superstar. However, as many experts and fans lament, repeated injuries ultimately hindered the talented player from reaching the heights they deserved.

Reviewing the brilliant data of the "Lin Crazy" period, Jeremy Lin averaged 24.6 points and 9.2 assists per game in 10 starts from February 4 to February 20, 2012, with a shooting percentage of up to 49.7%. In the game against the Lakers, he scored 38 points against Kobe Bryant; scored a winning three-pointer against the Raptors; and scored 20+ points in multiple consecutive games, which made Madison Square Garden crazy. At that time, the Knicks were suffering from injuries, and neither Anthony nor Stan could play. It was Jeremy Lin who almost brought the team out of the quagmire with his own strength and achieved a 7-game winning streak. ESPN data expert Hollinger calculated at the time that Jeremy Lin's PER efficiency value reached 22.96 during this period, far exceeding the average level of the league point guard. These numbers prove that Jeremy Lin had shown all-star strength at the time.

From the analysis of technical characteristics, Jeremy Lin has all the qualities to become a top point guard. His breakthrough is sharp, his first step is extremely fast to start, and his excellent directional change ability can easily tear the opponent's defense. In pick-and-roll tactics, his decision-making ability and passing vision are first-class, and he can always find teammates in open positions. What’s even more rare is that he has a big heart at critical moments, and the more important he is in the game, the better he can perform. Video analysis from the Knicks period shows that Jeremy Lin's breakthrough pass pass success rate is as high as 68%, far higher than the league average. His mid-range jump shot also reached his career best during that period, with his emergency stop jump shot maintaining a shooting percentage of around 45%. These technical statistics all point to the fact that Jeremy Lin has the technical foundation to become the league's top point guard.

However, fate always seems to be particularly harsh on this Chinese genius. On March 24, 2012, just as the "Lin Crazy" craze swept the world, Jeremy Lin suffered a meniscus tear on his left knee and had to undergo surgery and was reimbursed for the season. This injury became a turning point in his career. Although he later went to many teams such as the Rockets, Lakers, Hornets, Nets, etc., he could no longer regain his magical state during the Knicks era. Especially during the 2017-18 Nets season, when Jeremy Lin finally got a stable starting position and began to show his leadership ability, he suffered a serious injury from a ruptured patellar tendon in the season opening game, which directly led to season reimbursement. This injury almost destroyed his explosive power and movement speed, and also made many experts sigh: "If it weren't for that serious injury, Jeremy Lin would be fully capable of becoming the top point guard in the East. "

The impact of the injury on Jeremy Lin was not only reflected in the physical level, but also in the psychological level. After many major injuries, his confidence on the court has dropped significantly, his breakthroughs are no longer so resolute, and his shooting choices have become more cautious. The ability to change direction, which he once proud, dropped sharply due to knee problems, which made it difficult for him to create enough space when facing defense. The data is most telling: Jeremy Lin averaged 12.3 breakthroughs during the Knicks period, and this number dropped to about 6.8 after returning from injury; his free throws also dropped from 6.2 to 3.4 per game. These changes directly led to a sharp decline in his scoring efficiency.

Compared with other stars whose careers are affected by injuries, Jeremy Lin’s experience is particularly sad. Derek Ross can still transform into an efficient substitute after several knee injuries; Paul George returns to the All-Star after a severe injury to his broken leg. But Jeremy Lin’s situation is more complicated - as an Asian player, he needs to put in more effort to gain recognition, and injuries not only rob him of his athleticism, but also interrupt his chain of opportunities to prove himself. Former NBA player Kenyon Martin once commented: "The most tragic part of Jeremy Lin's story is that we can never know what height he can reach without injury. "

From the team environment, Jeremy Lin has not been able to find the system that suits him the most suitable for him after leaving the Knicks. In the Rockets, he needs to adapt to the offensive system led by Harden; in the Lakers, he is in a dilemma of compatibility with Kobe; in the Hornets, although he performed well, his role positioning is already a substitute point guard. Only during the Nets did he get the chance to control the team again, but fate once again gave him a heavy blow. This unstable team environment, coupled with the continuous injury blow, makes it difficult for Jeremy Lin to continue to develop his game style.

Jeol Lin's story is not just a story about basketball talent and injuries, it also reveals the cruel reality of professional sports. In an extremely competitive NBA league, timing, luck, health and talent are just as important. The flash in the "Lin Crazy" period proves that Jeremy Lin has all the conditions for becoming a superstar - comprehensive technology, strong psychology, and excellent leadership. But injury, the ruthless opponent, ultimately prevented him from moving to a higher stage.

Today, when we look back at the wonderful highlights of the "Lin Crazy" period, in addition to nostalgia and admiration, it is more of a regret - regret we have not seen the complete career picture of this talented player. Jeremy Lin’s case also reminds us that when evaluating a player’s historical status, we should not only look at what height he finally reached, but also consider what height he could have reached.. In this sense, although injuries prevented Jeremy Lin from becoming a superstar, that brief glory is enough to prove that he once had the ability to change games and once touched the peak of the basketball world.