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The Rockets owner Les Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey showed off their newest prize possession to a crowd of media Alexander says is the largest he’s seen at the Toyota Center.
Wearing a dark suit, Jeremy Lin talked about last year’s journey that saw him go from being cut by the Rockets to playing like an all star in New York.
“It’s been an unbelievable ride. Just a lot of things that I didn’t expect to happen in terms of the way last season went and I still have to remind myself that this is all actually happening sometimes, but it’s a huge blessing from God. I can’t believe how it all shaped up and for me to be here right now, I’m definitely excited and thankful.”
Lin says he enjoyed his time in New York and always thought he’d return to the Big Apple. But since he’d already been in Houston, the team didn’t have to do a big sell.
It’s Alexander who will be writing the $25 million in checks to Lin over the next three years. He says he believes Lin is worth it and thinks the move will help lure more top talent.
“I think the spotlight is important. I think we’re probably going to be on national TV because of Jeremy and I think free agents want to be on a team that is in the national spotlight. So I think from a basketball standpoint, it will really improve our negotiations with many many free agents.”
General manager Daryl Morey agrees that Houston needs more national attention and this can only help.
“I think it’s potentially still underrated on the national scene, but this organization is one that has consistently won and consistently always tried to strive for a championship and that was the main selling point.”
A lot has been made of Lin’s Asian heritage. Of course the most famous Asian basketball player Yao Ming is no longer playing. But Lin says the two have chatted a bit.
“I just texted back and forth with him a little bit. It was more congratulatory than anything else. When things settled down, I’ll end up talking to him about different things with regards to the city of Houston.”
Lin says he’s not going to focus on outside distractions. Each day he asks God to help him be the best player and person he can be. Rocket fans are hoping he will bring to Houston some of that Linsanity they saw in New York.