The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the New York Knicks 92-80 on Sunday. Point guard Jeremy Lin fielded questions from reporters after that game.
In a video obtained by the Gospel Herald, the reporters asked Lin of what he thought about this game. The Lakers point guard used to play for the Knicks, where he rose to sudden stardom in a phenomenon known as Linsanity back in 2012.
"We just came out flat, got into a hole, and tried to dig ourselves out of it for the rest of the game," Lin said of his team's performance.
A reporter then asked him about his goals on the basketball court.
"I try to attack and make plays," Lin said. "I felt like today that the ball was really stuck, pretty stagnant. I want get out there and get the ball moving a little bit [and] try to make plays, get easier shots."
Lin added that the Lakers "took a lot of tough shots," noting that he "was trying to get some steals and rebounds."
Another reporter then asked what it was like for Lin to come back to New York City.
"Every time I come back, I always have great memories, and I always remember those times," Lin said. "I'm always thankful. Coming back and playing in New York with the fans of [Madison Square] Garden is very special to me, and I will always cherish that."
Lin added that going back to New York "means a lot more to me than it might be to anyone else."
A reporter then brought up the Linsanity phenomenon that took over the Knicks and New York City back in 2012. He asked Lin what the Asian-American star remembered of his time there, which the reporter described as a "crazy time."
"It was just so fun on the court," Lin said. "When you talk about pure basketball, moving the ball, playing the right way; we didn't have the most talent or anything, but guys were just trusting each other and just playing for each other. I just thought it was such a beautiful thing."
Lin noted that the Atlanta Hawks were adopting a similar mode of gameplay he experienced as a Knicks player, which he described as "awesome."
"That's what I kind of remember about that time," Lin said with a beaming smile. "It was a lot of fun playing alongside them, going to battle with them."
A reporter asked him how his performance has changed in the last three years.
"I'm thankful for it, but I have to keep moving on, keep working, and keep trying to get better," Lin answered.
Lin was then asked to evaluate the season so far at an individual level.
"I felt like earlier in the season that I could have played better and did more," Lin said. "I feel like that as the season progressed, I felt like I improved in terms of just whatever minutes, whatever role, whatever situation, I just try to be myself."
Lin quipped that while he "didn't start off the way he wanted to," he noted that he was asked "to wear a lot of different hats."
"That can be difficult," Lin said. "I think that there are a lot of obstacles that I continue to face and overcome every day as I try to play. I would say that it didn't start off great, but it's getting better."
A reporter turned Lin's focus to Kobe Bryant and what he learned from the NBA veteran, who is out for the rest of the season thanks to a shoulder injury.
"[I learned] how to approach the game and think through the game, watch film, [and] how to take care of your body," Lin said.
The point guard then elaborated on his disappointments with the Lakers after a reporter asked him.
"There's always going to be that sense of disappointment," Lin commented. "I just go and try to make the best [of it]. I feel like success is doing the best with what you have, where you are, and doing what you can in that specific situation."
Lin's contract is up with the Lakers soon, opening up the potential for free agency. The reporter asked him to comment about that scenario.
"The contract is not what bothers me," Lin said. "I play the game to play the game. I put in just as much in my first year of contract as I did my last year of contract. I care just as much from the first to last [game]."
The NBA star was asked whether returning to the Knicks would be a real possibility.
"I'll just cross that bridge when the time comes," Lin said of his prospects. "I'm keeping my options open to see what is out there. I'm just going to evaluate everything when the time comes."
Lin told the reporter that he doesn't know what the landscape will look like.
"I can say stuff, but it really doesn't matter," Lin said in regards to the speculation of where he will end up next season.
Another reporter asked Lin about whether or not he felt frustrated in terms of scoring points while playing for the Lakers in comparison to his Linsanity days.
"It's just that I have to keep plugging away. It's not always going to be rosy and perfect," Lin said. "I'm in a very different situation right now, different system [and] different team. Not everything is going to be perfect all the time."
Lin did end the short press interviews on a high note. He was asked if he felt the same compared to three years ago.
"I feel like I'm more developed, more refined as a player," Lin said. "I think right now people might say 'Oh, that's a dumb comment!' but I know the [amount of] work I've put in. I think at the right time, hopefully it will all show."
Lin added that he will "try to get better in different ways" despite the obstacles so he "can adapt to more different circumstances" on the basketball court.
Click below for the press interview:
