NBA free-agent Jeremy Lin ‘intends to keep playing’, another comeback not ruled out
- The 32-year-old free-agent is ‘preparing for next season and evaluating his options’, according to The New York Times
- NBA champion may return to China, where he played for the Beijing Ducks, as he tells of rookie pressure at Warriors
The New York Times basketball reporter Marc Stein tweeted that Lin had told the newspaper that “plans to keep playing and is preparing for next season and evaluating his options”.
NBA champion Lin posted a cryptic message on his social media platforms that hinted at a possible retirement but he has spoken to clarify that several times since.
He later told fans on an Instagram story that he was not retiring from the sport, which he reiterated in an interview with Trevor Noah on The Daily Show late last week.
Lin ‘not retiring from basketball’ after NBA snub, deciding what’s next
The free agent spoke about how he feels the NBA door is closing, having been overlooked by all 30 teams despite his G League numbers.
However, Lin has not yet ruled out another comeback attempt ahead of next season.
Last season Lin played with the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association and a return to China is an option. Chinese social media users have discussed the possibility.
He has not played in the NBA since winning a ring with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
While he weighs up his options, Lin is making the most of his time with media appearances.
The former Golden State Warriors player joined fellow former Warriors (and NBA champions) Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on their All The Smoke podcast, where Lin told of the pressure he felt as a rookie with the Dubs.
Lin hints at NBA retirement but he’s no longer shy and retiring
“It was just a different level,” Bay Area-native Lin said of playing for his hometown team. “It killed me, to be honest, I wasn’t expecting the anxiety and the pressure. It killed me my rookie year.
“I didn’t know how to handle it. Just playing at home and everybody every day just hitting me up and focused on what I was going to do, which was nothing my rookie year.
“It was so crazy. I was just so happy about it, and once the season started, everything I thought it was about got flipped upside down.
“Every time I checked into a game, if the team was like up 10 in the 4th, I would be like, ‘OK, I hope the other team comes back so I don’t get put in.’ That’s how nervous I was.
“Every time I would be put in the game there was a [standing-ovation]. Every time I would touch the ball the crowd would be like ‘ooh!’ and it got to the point where I didn’t know what to do. I would catch the ball, shoot a three and it would be an air ball and everyone would be like ‘ugh’. I just had no confidence.”
