Jeremy Lin has fallen off the map somewhat since his days as a star with the New York Knicks, but now "Linsanity" is looking to embrace his new role as the sixth man on the Houston Rockets.

The difference between Lin's situation now and before is that many are viewing him as a disappointment simply because he hasn't been able to match his short-lived, yet highly successful stint with the New York Knicks. But perhaps he was just an average player all along and just happened to enjoy a brief period of success and fame that resulted in skyrocketing expectations going forward.

But if Lin can stabilize himself as a sixth man, the pressure then comes off and he has a brand new set of expectations. Still, his improbable story of being an undrafted player from Harvard who ended up being a star with the Knicks overnight was one that will live on. The only drawback, of course, is that his expectations then became too much for the reality.

So far this season, Lin has thrived in the sixth man role. He has played in a dozen games this year and is averaging 17.6 points per game. Last week Linsanity made his return to Madison Square Garden, where his Rockets defeated the Knicks 109-106. Lin had 21 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists.

"It's different," Lin said to The Houston Chronicle. "[It is] definitely an adjustment. I'm still thankful every day I get to play. I always try to take a step back and remember the journey from a bigger picture."

"It's not like just because you start you're going to finish," Lin added. "I think last year I started and there were plenty of games I didn't finish. That's just part of the game. In terms of finishing the game, I didn't think starting versus not starting would determine that."