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Like last year, the Knicks' Summer League squad was again led by assistant coach Dan. And this summer, one player caught Dan by surprise — Jeremy Lin.
After talking things over with his agent, Montgomery, Jeremy joined the Knicks' Summer League team and quietly averaged an impressive 18.9 points and 5.1 assists across six games.
Dan, much like his brother Mike, liked guards who could attack off the dribble. He felt like he'd stumbled upon a hidden gem. But when Dan went to recommend Lin to the front office, he realized the Knicks' roster was already close to set. The team already had more than enough guards in the mix.
He brought it up with Mike anyway. After watching Lin's film, even D'Antoni admitted Jeremy had potential, but there just wasn't room. The roster was too crowded, and Jeremy didn't stay on his radar for long.
Dan, though, wasn't ready to drop it. He knew one person who could push it through — Lin Yi. If Lin gave his approval, the front office would listen.
When Dan brought it up to Lin Yi, Lin was… conflicted.
After all, this was the real Linsanity — Jeremy Lin, with his fearless drives and sharp pick-and-roll play. Lin Yi knew he'd complement him perfectly, exploiting his quickness in two-man games.
But there were problems. The Knicks already had Lou Williams on the bench. Jeremy's defense was shaky, his three-point shot was inconsistent, and he didn't project as a starter.
Still, as Lin Yi studied the video Dan sent over, something else stood out.
"Wait a second… isn't that Beverly?" Lin muttered, glancing at the ceiling.
Lin remembered — back when he was on the Rockets, it was Beverley who eventually forced Jeremy to the bench. Patrick Beverley, nicknamed Mr. 94 feet, wasn't much of a shooter, but his relentless defense gave guards nightmares.
Was fate about to repeat itself? Would Beverley steal another opportunity from Jeremy?
Truthfully, the Knicks did have an open roster spot after waiving El Barron. Technically, they could sign either of them. But Beverley's name made Lin Yi's pulse quicken.
The thing about Beverley was simple — even if he got torched, he never stopped biting. His energy and grit alone could throw opponents off their rhythm.
The question was: did the Knicks need more offense, or a dogged defender?
Lin Yi knew the answer.
He could already picture it — Miami's big three trying to pick-and-roll the Knicks into mismatches, only to find Beverley still glued to them, making them uncomfortable on every possession.
Lin Yi looked up at Dan. "So what's the story with this Patrick guy?" he asked. He vaguely remembered Beverley having signed with the Heat once before, then bouncing to Europe for a couple of years. Maybe his butterfly effect had forced Beverley back onto the market early.
Dan shrugged. "Nothing spectacular. Played six games, all off the bench. Averaged 5.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists. Honestly, nothing jumps out. He's not an elite athlete by NBA standards — just works hard. That's about it."
Lin Yi thought it over. With slim pickings on the free-agent market, the choice came down to Jeremy Lin or Patrick Beverley.
And the Knicks needed guys like Beverley — tough, unafraid to scrap, a thorn in the side of stars.
If the Knicks were serious about deep playoff runs, maybe even the Finals, they needed someone who could make the other team's best guards sweat. Beverley wouldn't shut down a superstar, but he'd make them work for every bucket.
Lin Yi even thought of Raja Bell — another pest of a defender who was hated by opponents but indispensable to his team. If Bell weren't already too old and the Knicks didn't already have defensive wings, Lin Yi would've signed him, too.
Dan, meanwhile, was still standing there, confused. He'd come to recommend Jeremy Lin… and somehow they'd ended up talking about signing Beverley instead.
He couldn't quite believe it — Beverley was about to pack his bags for Europe after bombing out of the Summer League. Even though he didn't think an NBA team would still want him.
Following Lin Yi's recommendation, Donnie Walsh only offered Beverley a non-guaranteed minimum deal. Guys like "mad dogs" don't need coddling — the non-guarantee would only push him harder, make him more desperate to earn his place.
"Just so you know," Donnie told Beverley when he signed, "this is because Lin Yi vouched for you." Donnie was also mindful of maintaining Lin's growing locker-room presence — after all, the assistants had already warned him that Beverley wasn't exactly a choir boy.
Beverley, of course, knew all about Lin Yi's name. And he was grateful. Without Lin's word, he'd already have been on a flight to Europe.
Sure, Europe paid well — sometimes even better than the NBA — but everyone dreamed of staying in the league. How many players never even got through the door?
What stunned Beverley, though, was when Lin Yi called him personally.
"Work on the top of the arc and those two 45-degree threes," Lin told him over the phone. "We don't need you handling the ball or driving to the basket. Just get it over half-court, be ready to knock down the open three. And more importantly, know who you are. Patrick… the Knicks need a dog that bites, and never stops biting."
Beverley's respect for Lin shot through the roof. For a fringe guy like him, having Lin reach out directly meant everything. If that's what Lin needed from him, then so be it — he'd happily be Lin's crazy dog.
"No problem, boss. Defense? That's what I do best," Beverley replied with conviction. After hanging up, he shared a quick celebratory moment with his agent before heading straight to the gym to drill threes and defensive slides.
Beverley's path in Lin Yi's memory was never easy, but his fire and relentlessness could light a spark under this Knicks squad.
Want playing time in New York this season?
Simple: earn it.
This group followed Lin Yi's lead. Sure, some of that came from his rising stardom, but just as much from the way he carried himself. His presence had galvanized them.
The more outsiders doubted them, the more these Knicks burned to prove them wrong.
Lin Yi's only concern? That they might come out swinging too hard, treating every regular season game like the playoffs — a quick way to earn enemies across the league.
After he hung up with Beverley, Lin Yi also asked for Jeremy Lin's number.
"Jeremy," he told him, "the Knicks can't sign you right now. Not because you're not good enough — just that we think we've got a better fit. But listen — try Golden State. I think you could make something happen there."
If Lin Yi remembered right, Jeremy spent a bit of time with the Warriors in 2010–11. And though history had already shifted thanks to Lin Yi, he believed Jeremy could still carve out his place.
Jeremy, far from discouraged, actually sounded thrilled that Lin had even called. He'd admired Lin Yi from afar as another Asian player breaking barriers.
It was a shame, really — New York wouldn't get its Double Linsanity. But the Knicks didn't need marketing gimmicks.
They needed to keep growing, keep getting tougher, and chase that ultimate prize. That was the standard Lin Yi set for this locker room.
He also stayed realistic. A championship next season wasn't guaranteed — far from it. But this group of fearless men? They were going to rattle some cages.
Everything was falling into place.
Lin Yi could feel it — motivation coursing through him.
If you don't even dare to fight, how can you ever be the best?
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