Jeremy Lin returns to Toronto 2 years following 'Linsanity'

NBA basketball player Jeremy Lin is seen at the 2013 Jeremy Lin Basketball Camp press conference and opening ceremony, which was held in Beijing on August 25, 2013. [CNS File Photo/ Shi Longhong]

In Houston Rockets' 107-103 loss to Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, guard Jeremy Lin returned to Toronto, the city that witnessed the peak of the phenomenon known as "Linsanity."

Two years prior, Lin visited Toronto as a member of the New York Knicks and hit a game-winning three-pointer against Toronto on Feb. 14, 2012.

Fast forward two seasons and Lin has proved to the league that Linsanity was not an accident.

The 1.91 meters guard signed a lucrative three-year, 25 million U.S. dollar contract with Houston in the summer of 2012 and has averaged 13.0 points and 5.2 assists in 146 games in two seasons.

"I think I'm in a different role. I have to learn how to play off the ball a lot more, how to run a team," Lin told Xinhua after Wednesday game. "I'm definitely on every scouting report now."

As a playoff-bound team with All-Stars in James Harden and Dwight Howard, the burden has been lifted off Lin's shoulders and he is able to develop without being in the spotlight each game.

"It's not nearly as crazy as it was a couple of years ago," said Lin.

The Knicks have one of the largest reporter group during road games while Wednesday saw three Rockets reporters in Toronto.

Lin hopes that the nurturing environment with the Rockets will help him develop as a player.

"Progress and develop as a player. Become more multi-faceted," Lin said. "Those are things I'm working on."

While Linsanity is no longer at the level of two years ago, Lin appreciates of the city of Toronto.

"I get excited playing Toronto because the fans here are pretty awesome, even though I don't play for the Raptors," said Lin. "Toronto definitely is. A lot of people show up, I know a lot of fans come out and they're wearing my Knicks stuff."

With eight games remaining on the season, Lin's Rockets have lost three in a row and hold a 49-25 record to sit in fourth place in the Western Conference.