Former New York Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni is now forever immortalized in Springfield after being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Although D’Antoni’s stint with the Knicks is far from the brightest stretch of his coaching career in the NBA, it was also under his watch in the Big Apple when one of the greatest basketball phenomena ever took place. He made sure to mention that in his Hall of Fame speech.
“One of the most unforgettable moments of my career, and that of many New Yorkers, was Linsanity,” the 75-year-old D’Antoni said.
With Lin in attendance, the two-time NBA Coach of the Year Award winner looked back at the decision that led to Linsanity in 2012, which cemented Lin as one of the most memorable figures in league history.
“Jeremy, he was on a 10-day contract and close to being released. But my assistants, Kenny Atkinson, Dan D’Antoni and Phil Weber, kept telling me, just give him a chance. Boy, were they right. Jeremy gave New York and all of us the right of our lives,” D’Antoni added.
"New York is a special place. One of the most unforgettable moments of my career… was Linsanity… Jeremy, he was on a 10-day contract and close to being released, but my assistants… kept telling me "Just give him a chance!". Boy, were they right. Jeremy gave New York and all… pic.twitter.com/3tJi3kddM5
— NBA (@NBA) August 16, 2026
D’Antoni and the Knicks parted ways before the 2011-12 NBA season, and Lin later signed a contract with the Houston Rockets that New York did not match.
Lin played several more years in the league, thanks in large part to the trust D’Antoni and the Knicks’ coaching staff showed him during his unforgettable time in New York.
In 35 games with the Knicks, Lin averaged 14.6 points, 6.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds.
