Jeremy Lin's retirement marks the end of a "crazy" chapter.

Today, Jeremy Lin officially declared his retirement on social media, echoing what many others say when they step away: "This is the most difficult decision I've ever faced in my life."

Born in 1988, Lin is now 37 years old, yet his love for basketball has not diminished over time. At 31, he departed from the highest-level league and spent more than three years playing in the CBA.

At 34, he concluded his CBA career and then spent three years playing in Taiwan’s league. Although the competition level and income declined, Lin’s continued presence on the court proves his sincere dedication to basketball.

In fact, this June, Lin led his team to win the Taiwanese league championship. He was named Finals MVP with averages of 22.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, still able to play over 40 minutes in a single match at nearly 37 years old. Playing in Taiwan also fulfilled his wish to play alongside his younger brother, making up for past regrets.

As an Asian player, Jeremy Lin’s career achievements can be considered top-tier. He was a leading player in his conference at Harvard University. Without factoring in his potential, his senior year performance was already first-rate in the NCAA, even earning him consideration for the Bob Cousy Award.

His draft report pointed out weaknesses in athleticism and a lack of shooting skill and confidence, which led to him going undrafted. Looking back now, the draft evaluations and the league’s attitude toward Lin were certainly biased; his shooting was not that poor, and his athleticism was not entirely lacking.

Lin’s first-step quickness could even be compared to John Wall’s back then (interestingly, both retired around the same time). He eventually earned a contract with the Warriors thanks to his impressive Summer League performance. It wasn’t just a training camp deal but a full contract with nearly $500,000 guaranteed in the first year, signed outright.

With that, Jeremy Lin became the first NBA player of Chinese descent. He played over twenty games for the Warriors, spending most of his time in the Development League. In his second season, after being waived by the Warriors, the Rockets briefly signed and then cut him, leading to the well-known "Linsanity" story.

More than a decade later, this remains one of the most thrilling stories in NBA history. Under Lin’s retirement announcement, many fans still express excitement over his miraculous performances at Madison Square Garden.

On the verge of being cut, Lin seized his last chance from fate by coming off the bench to score 25 points, grab 5 rebounds, and dish out 7 assists. When fans thought it was just a one-night wonder for an underdog, Lin’s following games shocked the entire world.

With 28 points and 8 assists, then 23 points and 10 assists, Lin played like an All-Star in the next two matches. Then came the legendary game against the Lakers, where he scored 38 points and 7 assists against Kobe, pushing the story to its peak. The New York city backdrop combined with the "American Dream" style inspirational tale made "Linsanity" sweep across the nation.

Whenever I watch those clips, I get goosebumps. Lin’s breakout was unexpected; he didn’t even have his own apartment in New York and was living on a couch at Fields’ place. It felt as if the God he believed in pulled him up at that moment, completely turning his career around.

Afterward, he signed big contracts with the Rockets and Lakers but never regained the same level of ball control and trust he had during the "Linsanity" era. The NBA’s bias against Lin still existed, which is an undeniable fact.

In 2015, Lin finished a three-year contract and signed with the Hornets, starting a new chapter. That year with Charlotte, in my opinion, was Lin’s best overall season, the one where he sported his signature "flyaway" hairstyle.

Lin lost some weight and regained some of his previous speed. As the Hornets’ sixth man, he averaged 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, reestablishing his value and helping the Hornets reach the playoffs.

In 2016, during a summer full of big contracts, Lin also benefited by signing a three-year, $36 million deal with the Nets. In the first season, he averaged 14.5 points and 5.1 assists but only played 36 games due to recurring left leg injuries.

When he was ready to make a strong comeback in the 2017-18 season, he suffered a patellar tendon rupture in the season opener. Sitting on the floor, repeatedly saying "I'm done," that moment remains heartbreaking to this day.

This injury marked a sharp decline in Lin’s NBA career. He went from a starting point guard to a fringe player. In 2019, he won a championship with the Raptors but couldn’t find a team the following summer. At a sharing event, Lin tearfully expressed, "Life is really tough."

His career in the CBA was not smooth either. Injuries caused permanent declines in his athleticism, preventing his skills from matching his fame in China. Toward the end, Lin was no longer suitable to occupy a foreign player spot, and he understood he couldn’t return. He took a step back to play in Taiwan.

What surprised me most later was that Lin quietly got married and even had children; his family life is already fulfilling. So his decision to retire doesn’t come as a shock. He has spent enough time on the court and it’s time to return to his family.

I believe I will always remember that white figure at Madison Square Garden in 2012. He symbolizes the underdog’s triumph, the struggle of an Asian player, hard work and perseverance, and the idea that if you never give up, miracles might happen at any moment.