NYK Makes LIN Decision

Kevin Martin doesn’t even remember Jeremy Lin being in training camp with the Houston Rockets last December. Seven months later, Lin is returning to Houston – and he's a lot richer for it.

Lin officially rejoined the Rockets Tuesday night after the New York Knicks declined to match the three-year, $25 million offer sheet he signed with Houston. The Rockets waived Lin just before the start of last season, and he went on to become one of sports' biggest stories during a stunning three-week run as the Knicks' starting point guard.

"Everyone knew his story and how it came alive, but it started in Houston with no one really even knowing he was there,” Martin told Yahoo! Sports. "I don’t remember him at all from training camp. It’s going to be kind of funny. Even though he’s been there for us before, it feels like we are getting a new player."

The Knicks declined comment on their decision to match the offer sheet. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey used his Twitter account to welcome Lin: "Welcome to Houston @JLin7! We plan to hang on this time."

"Extremely excited and honored to be a Houston Rocket again!!" Lin tweeted.
Lin became the Knicks' starting point guard after injuries to teammates forced him into the lineup. He led New York to seven straight victories and earned a pair of Sports Illustrated covers and praise from President Obama. His stunning three-week stretch included a 38-point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers and a game-winning 3-pointer at Toronto. The sports world was quickly swept up with "Linsanity," until Lin's season ended with a knee injury.

"Much love and thankfulness to the Knicks and New York for your support this past year … easily the best year of my life," Lin tweeted late Tuesday.

Lin was a restricted free agent, but was strongly expected to return to the Knicks no matter what offer he received. The Rockets creatively put together an offer sheet that includes a $15 million salary in the third year of the contract. New York would have incurred substantial luxury-tax penalties matching the deal because the team owes Carmelo Anthony $24 million,

Amar'e Stoudemire $23 million and Tyson Chandler $14.5 million that same season.
The Rockets and Lakers are the current frontrunners to acquire Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard in a trade. Lin can't be traded until Jan. 15 after signing the offer sheet. But Martin, who is in the last year of his contract, could be moved. The Rockets have rid themselves of Kyle Lowry, Luis Scola, Samuel Dalembert and Chase Budinger this summer to acquire the salary-cap space and assets for a potential Howard trade.

"I got here 2½ years ago, and now I’m the longest-tenured Rocket there," Martin said. "We lost some great players over the last month in Kyle and Luis. They were great teammates. Nobody likes to go the rebuilding route, but sometimes it’s needed. And that’s how Daryl Morey feels right now, so you don’t know what the future holds for the Rockets."

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LeBron for Wimbledon Inspiration

Drawing inspiration from LeBron James and his new NBA title, Andy Murray is ready to win his first championship, too.

The fourth-seeded Murray, who has lost in three Grand Slam finals, advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals for the fourth straight year by beating No. 7 David Ferrer of Spain 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (4) Wednesday.

''He came very close to winning quite a lot of times,'' Murray, Britain's best tennis player and a big basketball fan, said of James. ''I would say for me I guess it's a similar situation. I've been close a lot of times and not quite made it. You know, just have to keep putting myself in the position, and hopefully it will click.''

Murray's three near-misses in major finals - twice at the Australian Open and once at the U.S. Open - have raised questions about whether he'll ever win the big one. But this year, with Rafael Nadal already out and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga waiting in Friday's semifinals, could be his time - at least to make the final. Winning it all, like James did last month with the Miami Heat after two losses in the NBA Finals, would be even better.

''There's a lot of people out there that didn't want him to win,'' Murray said. ''There's a lot of people that said he would never win. There's a lot of people who said he never played his best in finals, in the fourth quarter of games he never steps up.

For much of Wednesday's match, Prince William and his wife Catherine - also known as Wills and Kate - watched from the Royal Box. The pair sat in the front row, applauding politely at times and clapping loudly at others.

''It's always going to make a difference when you have royalty in there,'' said Murray, then turning his attention to some former Wimbledon champions who also sat in the Royal Box. ''For me, also playing in front of someone like (Andre) Agassi as well and Steffi Graf. Rod Laver was there, too. You know, it was an unbelievable privilege to play in front of those people.''

Murray is trying to become the first British man to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936. If Murray beats Tsonga, he will be the first British man to reach the Wimbledon final since Bunny Austin in 1938.

British bookmaker William Hill already has Murray as an odds-on 1-2 favorite to advance over Tsonga. But he's still not favored to win the title. That honor belongs to defending champion Novak Djokovic, who is at 4-6. He is followed by six-time champion Roger Federer at 7-2 and Murray at 9-2. Tsonga is the outsider at 10-1.

''I'm in a good position, that's for sure,'' Murray said. ''Whether it's the best chance or not, I'm not sure. But I've been in this position a few times now and want to push on.''

On Centre Court, Murray saved 10 of the 12 break points he faced, including two while trailing 4-3 in the final set.

He also saved a set point in the second-set tiebreaker. Ferrer led 6-5 after Murray sent a backhand return wide, but he evened the score moments later with a forehand winner. Ferrer then made mistakes on the next two points to give Murray the set.

''I think the key was in the second set, no, when I have 5-4 or I had one set point in the tiebreak,'' said Ferrer, who served for both the first and second sets but failed to close them out. ''But Andy, in important moments he play really good. He played more aggressive than me, and he was better, no?''

Murray was better in the end, keeping his cool even when he was down.

''Subconsciously, I'm probably extremely stressed out right now,'' Murray said, ''but I try not to feel it.''

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