Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin misses his return to New York City, where the era of "Linsanity" began, due to an injury he sustained in a game against the Detroit Pistons. The Nets, though misses him more as they succumbed to the New York Knicks 110-96.
According to the Inquisitr, Lin's encore in New York hasn't been the same Cinderella story he experienced in 2012 when he was still playing for the Knicks. The Nets are near the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a 2-4 record and have suffered double-digit blowouts in each of their losses.
Then Lin, the Net's unquestioned face of the franchise, will also be missing hid first return to Madison Square Garden, this time with the rival Nets. Lin strained his left hamstring during a win against the Pistons last week.
It would be remembered that Lin became a household name when he was still playing for the Knicks. Lin went on a magical month-long stretch during that time, which gave birth to the term "Linsanity."
But more than Lin missing his first return to the Garden this season, it is his team that actually missed him more. The Knicks, in a come from behind effort, have defeated the Nets, according to the team's official website.
The Nets started out strong and maintained a five point lead at the half. But big runs from Carmelo Anthony (22 points) and Kristaps Porzingis (21 points) helped the Knicks outscore the Nets 60-41 over the final two quarters.
The Nets were led by Lopez and Justin Hamilton, both scoring 21 points. The Nets also started its third point guard for the third time in four games.
Sean Kilpetrick started at point guard, in place of the injured Lin and Isaiah Whitehead. Kilpatrick finished the game with seven points and five assists.
More than Lin's productions, what the Nets miss most in this loss is his leadership on the court. Lin is already entering his seventh-year in the league, making him a veteran of the game already.
Lin also had the opportunity to learn from made-men of basketball such as Kobe Bryant and James Harden and he is embracing his leadership role for the Nets. "I definitely feel a much stronger responsibility for this leadership role that I didn't in my last two to three teams," Lin recently shared.
