Sporting goods outlets in the New York metro area seem to agree with Carmelo Anthony's assessment that the Houston Rockets' three-year, $25.1 million dollar deal to Jeremy Lin won't be matched, as Knicks jerseys and t-shirts bearing Lin's No. 17 were relegated to clearance racks by midday on July 16.
The "Lin-sanity" that captivated the imagination of the Big Apple seems like a lifetime ago now that Jeremy Lin t-shirts sit unassumingly beside the merchandise of former New York athletes like ex-Met shortstop Jose Reyes and former New York Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress.
Judging by the clearance sections at many New York-based sporting goods outlets, it's pretty safe to jump to the conclusion that Jeremy Lin's time in the Big Apple is winding down.
"Lin-sane" Prices At Champs Sports
On July 16, New York Knicks Jeremy Lin adidas "Lin-sanity" t-shirts, once priced $22, were selling for $12.99 at Champs Sports in Hicksville, NY.
The "Lin-sane" prices didn't stop there, as Macy's in Broadway Mall in Hicksville, NY, had various Jeremy Lin t-shirts, priced $25 in Feb., marked down to $12.50.
Lin's book, "There's No Expiration Date On Dreams," authored by Rich Wolfe, was marked down to $4.99 by July 16, just three months after it hit the shelves at $24.95.
Will The Knicks Match The Rockets' Offer To Lin?
The Houston Rockets made it extremely difficult for the New York Knicks to match their three-year, $25 million offer to Lin because the third year is worth approximately $15 million.
The Knicks also reached agreement on July 14 on a sign-and-trade deal with the Portland Trail Blazers to acquire point guard Raymond Felton, and they have two other point guards under contract - veteran Jason Kidd and Argentine guard Pablo Prigioni.
Just the thought of the Knicks letting Lin slip away to another team seemed insane just a few months ago, as he got New York basketball fans excited about returning to Madison Square Garden for the first time in over a decade.
It wasn't since Patrick Ewing and John Starks graced the court at "The World's Most Famous Arena" that Knicks games were absolute must-see events, and Jeremy Lin was the main reason for that.
"Lin-sanity" didn't last long, as Lin went from superstar to the clearance racks in just five months.
Eric Holden is a lifelong New York Knicks fan. Follow him on Twitter @ericholden.
