New York Knicks to 'absolutely' match offer for Jeremy Lin, Mike Woodson says
LAS VEGAS -- New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson said on Wednesday the team will "absolutely" match the Houston Rockets' four-year, $28.8 million offer sheet for Jeremy Lin.
Woodson said he didn't blink at all when the Rockets made their official pitch last week.
"Never once," he told a small group of reporters in Las Vegas where the Knicks are participating in summer league. "Jeremy Lin has always been a big part of what we're trying to do as we move forward with our franchise."
This wasn't the first time Woodson used the word "absolutely" when asked whether Lin would return to New York. He mentioned it at season's end after their first-round playoff exit to the Miami Heat, saying the "future's very bright for him."
In 35 games during the regular season, Lin averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists per game. When Lin was leading the team to a 6-1 stretch in mid-March right after Woodson took over for Mike D'Antoni, five players (including Lin) were scoring in double figures, and the Knicks were averaging 100.9 points per game and holding opponents to only 86.9.
A report surfaced Wednesday from the New York Daily News that Lin was upset the Knicks didn't offer him a new contract before the Rockets came calling. But Lin went on to tweet, "Lol why do u guys believe everything? No quotes from me = probably not true."
A source close to Lin who spoke with ESPNNewYork.com was somewhat surprised the Knicks didn't offer a contract right away, but knew Lin wouldn't be leaving New York. The source believed the Knicks would match any offer because of his value to the organization on and off the court in business growth.
Source: http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8158354/new-york-knicks-absolutely-match-offer-jeremy-lin-mike-woodson-says
