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Mindy Utay

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Breaking Up With Jeremy Lin

Posted: 07/30/2012 12:01 pm

We could all see the end of the affair, but held out some hope that Jeremy wouldn't leave town, breaking the hearts of New Yorkers who enjoyed the first exciting Knicks season in 10 years. It has been an interesting week for me -- a couples' therapist -- watching fellow New Yorkers reeling after losing Jeremy. Nearly everyone, including the sports journalists around town, is suffering from a sense of loss -- even of rejection. He was the sizzling guy -- irresistible -- who spiced up our relationship with the disappointing Knicks. He offered the hope of a return to our youth: the Knicks as champions. And then he defected from -- in our opinion -- the best place on earth. Why? Mere millions.

Let's face it -- we fell for him hard. Now, New Yorkers at large are like so many of the women in the city, just shaking their heads over being dumped for a bimbo. Seriously, Jeremy, you're choosing Houston -- over us?

Lin was very much his own man: a pious Harvard grad who stepped up to deliver the most high-octane basketball of last season. He was a fantasy hero. Who can forget his cool during the Toronto Raptors game -- hitting the game winner in the fourth quarter with barely a second on the shot clock? His zero-hour hand signal to the other players hovering around him: "Back up. Don't worry, bro. I got this." Then... bam!

In that moment he became the iconic New Yorker. He came out of nowhere to embody the ultimate New York story: the talent waiting in the wings, who has a moment in the spotlight and brings down the house. The child of immigrants -- like nearly every New Yorker except a few Sons of Patriots, DAR members and smattering of Dutch merchant descendants -- he was underestimated. Given an opening, he delivered, spectacularly, crushing his competition. Maybe that's why we saw Irish, Dominican, Jewish and Italian guys running out to buy "Lin" jerseys.

All the while, Lin slept on his brother's couch. New Yorkers loved that part of his profile: who in this city hasn't been a real estate refugee?

So, as happens in so many relationships, Lin burst onto the scene, was idolized (and maybe idealized), only to move on. We're in shock. We're coping. But in the back of our minds, we can't help but think "Someday, he'll come back to me."

 

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We could all see the end of the affair, but held out some hope that Jeremy wouldn't leave town, breaking the hearts of New Yorkers who enjoyed the first exciting Knicks season in 10 years. It has bee...
We could all see the end of the affair, but held out some hope that Jeremy wouldn't leave town, breaking the hearts of New Yorkers who enjoyed the first exciting Knicks season in 10 years. It has bee...
 
 
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05:51 AM on 08/02/2012
Scott Skiles holds the NBA record for the most assists in a single game. He had thirty. If Jeremy makes 31 in a single game, I say we tie Dolan up and mail him to Houston (or anywhere else would be okay) and then pay Jeremy whatever he wants to bring him back to New York. Mindy is right. Jeremy belongs in MSG.
11:08 PM on 08/01/2012
If Lin will win at least one of the following three games, he will secure his superstar's position: 1) Rockets vs. Knicks; 2) Rockets vs. Lakers; 3) Rockets vs. Heat. However, if he lose all those three games but he if can score 30 points or more, he still can keep his position as a superstar! Now, you can make your prediction!
05:38 PM on 07/31/2012
A video that fits the lovely piece written by Ms. Utay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk6v1m9dJ9M
11:31 AM on 08/01/2012
Thanks for sharing that video. It made my heart aflutter!
11:41 PM on 08/01/2012
Lin's smiles in the video bring tears to many fans' eyes after he was forced to leave New York!
04:44 PM on 07/31/2012
Ms. Nix drove Lin into the arms of the less-endowed Ms. Rox.

Instead of “thank you” for your brilliant play, Ms. Nix tells Lin, “Even though you've become the best mate I've had in over a decade, I think we should start seeing other people. If you can show me others would be interested in you, you may be worth keeping around.

A trio of bevy's showed interest in Lin, but only one caught his eye. Ms. Rox had faith in Lin's worth and showed it by putting her dowry on the line. Rumors of the dowry’s contents reached Ms. Nix who responded, "Pshaw, hardly a one-two punch. Piece of cake for us to keep Lin."

The rumors doubled back to Ms. Rox who, not easily dissuaded considering the prize at stake, increased her dowry and convinced Lin that Ms. Nix wasn't as committed to him as Lin thought and hoped. Afterall, Ms. Nix had already obtained 2 suitors to fill Lin's role and was adding a 3rd while Lin waited for Ms. Nix's call that never came.

Ms. Nix folded, indignant over the increase, felt unrightfully betrayed, and deemed Lin not worth fighting for. Bags in hand, Lin went to the Rox family who have faith in him and believe there's very little risk in banking on his potential for success.
01:02 AM on 08/02/2012
Cinderella was kicked out by her stepmother, who felt betrayed by her, from New York's adopted home. Before she became homeless, fortunately her biological mother, always being regretted to have abandoned her in the past, invite her to come back to her original home in the South. After Cinderella left, her stepsisters put all the blames on her for being disloyal and ungrateful.
03:02 PM on 07/31/2012
In the same romantic spirit..... It is NY who took advantage of a low-priced Jeremy Lin and then in a passive-aggressive way dumped him because the Knick's coaches had another true love.... Carmelo.
01:22 PM on 07/31/2012
"he defected from ny for mere millions." it's wrong.... making it seems like its his fault for leaving...the knicks/Dolan decide to let the FA Market decide Lin's price...but then they declined to match Houston's offer... it's seems like they never know the "luxury tax" before they let Lin went to test the market...
anyway,thanks for the touching article. i'll miss linsanity.....that was the most exciting time ever for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlGCIgHUElI
09:51 AM on 07/31/2012
Wow! This has to be the most romantic basketball story I have ever read. Thank you for expressing so brilliantly New Yorkers' feeling of utter emptiness and yearning with what's left of an unforgettable brief love affair with Linsanity. Thank you.
09:48 AM on 07/31/2012
Jeremy Lin did not choose Rockets over Knicks.

On 7/1, the first free agent day, Lin's agents called KNicks GM for Lin's contract before they reply other teams' interest on LIn. However, Knicks GM refused to talk about Lin's contract, instead he wants Lin to find a contract for his market value while Knicks chasing Steve Nash hardly. Then Lin did. KNicks never offer a contract at the beginning, but they come back complaint about Lin's contract by using New York Post, New York Daily News, Stephen A. Smith, Carmelo Anthony, and JR Smith. Knicks betray their most valuable and beloved player, and betray Knicks fans. It is a shame that a big business group tried to ruin Lin's image who helps the team become a likable team. Who should I blame? Melo's jealousy made the decision. What a disappointed team!
12:33 AM on 07/31/2012
You can follow him as he moves on to the Rockets as well. I know I will and I don't know if the owner will let him back or not? But I don't like the Knicks using NY Post & NYDN to keep trashing him..... I hope better writers like you can help him then.... CJ
12:04 AM on 07/31/2012
lin not "defected" from ny ! the knicks let him went to test the market. they said they can match any offer to keep him. so he signed his only offer--who wouldn't. then Dolan let Lin go.
Faced with an enormous concern. he has great clarity about who he is .
he is a good player still learning and will get better.
I wish Lin best of luck in the Rockets and hope dolan will regret his stupid decision....
(but looks like he doesn't care about his team...)
10:18 PM on 07/30/2012
thanks for the touching article.
but.. it's NY Knicks that dumped Lin and betrayed the fans.
Lin didn't get any offer from Knicks which just enjoyed playing "the game of chicken" on the Lin camp.
Silly Dolan!
10:12 PM on 07/30/2012
Mindy,
Thanks for the touching article.
But....you really have misunderstood Lin!
Knicks played "the game of chicken" on Lin and lost instead of offering any contract for Lin to sign.
07:32 PM on 07/30/2012
Lin has a very unique personality which has won many people's love. This is not about the BB skills and not about all-star frenzy, it is about human decency. Look at the gangly styles of many NBA players, Lins stands out squeaky clean, we all have learned a lot from his humbleness, graciousness and integrity. He is only 23 years old but his maturity is way above his age. We will keep supporting him even though he is no longer playing for New Yorkers, because love can't be selfish. God bless him as always.
04:57 PM on 07/30/2012
Jeremy did not leave the Knicks. The Knicks (Dolan) left Jeremy. As previously commented, the Knicks did not offer Jeremy a contract right away and made him go out to find his value, all the while assuring him that they would match any offer. Houson made Jeremy a priority and offered him a solid contract. It was Jeremy's ONLY contract. The Knicks (Dolan) changed their mind and did not match it. What's horrible is that the Knicks (Dolan) then put a smear campaign on Jeremy using the media (ie. Stephen A Smith).
04:15 PM on 07/30/2012
He didn't leave you... you guys never extended him an offer.

WTH?