Long before Kim Kardashian was spotted cheering on Lewis Hamilton at the Monaco Grand Prix, the reality star had her eyes on a different kind of athlete: a rising New York Knicks sensation.
During the 2011-12 NBA season, Jeremy Lin exploded onto the scene, leading the Knicks on a seven-game winning streak that sparked the cultural phenomenon known as Linsanity. That season, Lin averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists per game, becoming a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden. But off the court, a different kind of interest was brewing.
In a recent interview with former ESPN personality Pablo Torre, Lin confirmed a long-rumored story: Kim Kardashian wanted to feature him on her reality show. However, the Knicks organization quickly shut down that request.
“I heard that request did come in and it was a real request. She was filming her show at the time and she was looking for kind of, like, a New York athlete to be on the show,” Lin said. “This is what was told to me afterwards because the Knicks immediately declined that request.”
The revelation sent social media into a frenzy, with fans cracking jokes and drawing parallels to Kardashian's dating history. One fan quipped, “Kim really tried to go from Kris Humphries to Jeremy Lin,” while another wrote, “Couldn’t go East so she went West.” A third sarcastically added, “Jeremy Lin is why Kanye is crazy is what I get out of this.”
The timing of the request—during Lin's breakout run—adds another layer to the story. Just one month after the Knicks' denial, Kardashian went public with Kanye West. Now, more than a decade later, she's reportedly dating seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, with whom she was recently seen at the Monaco Grand Prix. Hamilton praised her support, saying, “It’s amazing to have good people around you and supporting you. And she does that for me every day.”
For Knicks fans, the story is a fascinating what-if that blends pop culture with basketball history. It also echoes the intense media scrutiny the team has faced in recent years, from Stephen A. Smith blasting fans for behavior after Game 3 arrests to the ongoing drama surrounding potential trades and playoff runs. The Knicks' decision to protect Lin from the distraction of a reality show appearance might have been a savvy move, even if it didn't lead to a long-term relationship with the point guard.
Lin's confirmation puts to rest a rumor that had lingered for years, but it also highlights how quickly the sports and entertainment worlds can collide—and how a team's front office can step in to keep the focus on the game.
