One of the most unforgettable underdog stories in basketball history is making a comeback—not on the court, but in a way that still hits all the right notes for fans. If you were tuned into NBA hoops during the early 2010s, there’s no way you missed the Jeremy Lin phenomenon. The former New York Knicks guard didn’t just show up—he made the league stop and watch. Hard to believe now, but Lin went undrafted out of Harvard and bounced around NBA teams before landing in New York. And now, more than a decade later, that magic is getting a second life.
He was just another player fighting to stay in the league… until the injuries of the team’s guards gave him an unexpected chance with the Knicks. And what happened next? Straight-up history. Lin’s rise wasn’t just impressive—it was magical. It all started on February 4, 2012, when Lin got meaningful minutes against the New Jersey Nets and shocked everyone by dropping 25 points and dishing out 7 assists. From there, he caught fire, torching the Lakers for 38 points and nailing a game-winner in Toronto. What followed wasn’t just a streak; it was a movement.
“Linsanity” wasn’t just a clever nickname. It became a cultural wave. Lin’s breakthrough mattered far beyond basketball. As the first American of Taiwanese descent to play at such a high level in the NBA, he inspired millions, especially in the Asian-American community and across Asia. And now, that inspiration is being honored in a way that blends sports, culture, and style.
The news came straight from the official Instagram page of Mitchell & Ness—a brand that specializes in iconic sports apparel. The company is now backed by Fanatics, along with a star-studded investor team that includes LeBron James, Jay-Z, and Kevin Hart. The post read: “LINSANITY RETURNS. In partnership with Jeremy Lin, we are honored to introduce his first-ever Hardwood Classics New York Knicks Swingman Jersey. It was important to Lin to release this meaningful, symbolic uniform during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.” Honestly, if you remember the hype around Jeremy’s No. 17 Knicks jersey, released in 2012, you know just how big this is.
Fans would remember his merchandise being almost everywhere. He even made the cover of Sports Illustrated two weeks in a row—something that rarely happens. So yes, Lin’s time in the NBA may have been short-lived, but the popularity? Still strong. And now, teaming up with a LeBron James-backed brand? That’s how you bring Linsanity back in style.
The time when LeBron James discovered Jeremy Lin
Imagine this: it’s just five days after King James shook the sports world by announcing his move to the Miami Heat. While most people were still talking about “The Decision,” Bron was already back in his element — watching basketball. Not NBA playoff action, not college highlights — but Summer League games on NBA TV.
If you’ve followed LeBron closely, you know this isn’t out of character. He’s always been a true student of the game, constantly watching basketball at all levels — from high school gyms to NBA arenas. Over the years, he’s even surprised fans by mentioning obscure plays or players that only a real hoops junkie would catch. That’s exactly how Jeremy Lin first popped onto his radar.
LeBron had seen Lin’s name on SportsCenter once, after a game between Harvard and UConn. But it wasn’t until the 2010 Vegas Summer League that he actually saw Lin in action — and not by design. As per an article by ESPN, James had tuned in to check out John Wall, the No. 1 overall pick. Instead, it was Lin, suiting up for the Dallas Mavericks’ summer squad, who made him do a double-take.
“Yeah, I watch summer league games,” James said. “It was his first big game. It was a good game. I was like, he’s a good player, no one predicted what he’d do now.” Even though Lin’s team came up short in that game, his personal performance was a mini-breakout. With clutch defensive efforts and aggressive drives to the rim, he gave a glimpse of the style fans would soon come to recognize. That Summer League outing didn’t just catch LeBron’s attention — it quietly lit the spark for Lin’s rise to the NBA spotlight. And now he’s looking to be back in it with a collaboration with none other than LeBron James’ brand.
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