The Houston Rockets were the second stop on Carmelo Anthony’s free agent tour on Wednesday. One day after the Chicago Bulls plastered images of Anthony in the team’s jersey around the United Center, the Rockets did the same thing. There’s only problem with that: the No. 7 Anthony is shown wearing in the images belongs to a current member of the Rockets, point guard Jeremy Lin.
Jeremy Lin wasn’t thrilled the Rockets used his No. 7 to pitch Carmelo Anthony
The point guard felt disrespected after images of Anthony in a Rockets No. 7 jersey were seen around the Toyota Center.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
ICYMI, this is the wall poster Carmelo Anthony likely saw when he entered the Rockets locker room. pic.twitter.com/vH8iquzx3E
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 2, 2014 Lin was aware that he would be traded if Anthony chooses Houston. The team, for that matter, reportedly already has a deal lined up. The image of Anthony in his jersey still wasn’t a welcomed sight for Lin, though. The point guard took to Twitter to voice his displeasure.
Luke 6:29 - If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) July 2, 2014 @EmodMarco im entitled to standup for myself/say i felt disrespected as i did thru tweet but point is love unconditionally/as jesus loved me
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) July 2, 2014 Lin was not informed Houston would use his jersey number in their presentation to Anthony, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. The images were both outside and inside of the arena:
The Rockets will host Carmelo Anthony and have pictures of Carmelo in Rockets uniforms on Toyota Center marquis pic.twitter.com/2VfycvqlkN
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 2, 2014 In an interview with reporters, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey acknowledged the awkward situation, but said the Rockets used Luis Scola’s number when going after Chris Bosh in the past and Patrick Beverley’s number when pursuing Dwight Howard last summer. He also admitted what is generally known: the Rockets need to trade Lin to clear up the salary-cap space to sign Anthony.
Lin and Anthony haven’t had the best relationship dating back to their days as teammates on the Knicks. Lin’s infamous entrance into the NBA came while Anthony was out with a groin injury. When Anthony came back to the lineup, Lin’s production started to wane. Anthony also didn’t shed any tears when Lin eventually signed in Houston.
Anthony is also meeting with the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday before visiting the Lakers on Thursday.
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