Yao Ming reportedly tried to sign Jeremy Lin for his Chinese team during lockout
The New York Knicks must feel more fortunate by the day. They chose to stick with Jeremy Lin rather than releasing him, and to say it has paid off would be an epic understatement. Lin was released by both the Warriors and Rockets before landing in New York. In addition, he was reportedly recruited by his good friend Yao Ming to play for the Shanghai Sharks, a Chinese team that Yao bought back in 2009.
According to the NY Post, Yao tried to sign Lin during the lockout. Earlier this week, Lin admitted that he would have considered playing overseas if the Knicks waived him.
“I wasn’t considering that just yet,” Lin said, “but I figure if I get waived before the (Feb. 10) deadline and there’s nothing left, you know, maybe I do need to go overseas, but God works in mysterious and miraculous ways.”
After five straight games with 20-plus points, playing overseas is not something Lin needs to concern himself with. However, he and Yao are close friends. When Lin was on the Warriors roster, the two would meet for dinner every time the Rockets faced Golden State. Jeremy said he talks to him after every game and considers Yao to be a “role model” and a “mentor.” From the sound of it, he was awfully close to becoming a money-maker for Yao as well.
