Lin Disputes Interpretation Of 85 Percent Healthy Comment

Jeremy Lin disputes the perception that he admitted to being 85 percent healthy before Game 5 of the Knicks' first round series against the Heat.

Lin contends he was not 85 percent healthy, but 15 percent away from the minimum threshold to allow himself to play.

"People think it was easy for me to sit there and watch us lose, like I had nothing to do with the season," Lin said. "I was dying to play. I didn't miss a game due to injury in seven years until this past season, and people are acting like I wouldn't want to play in the playoffs? Of the NBA? In my first season?"

Lin also says that he was advised to remain on the sidelines by his veteran teammates.

"Every single vet on our team that has been in the league longer than five years pulled me aside and told me that I shouldn't play," Lin said. "And I had arguments with them about why I should."