If you are a basketball fan and you think of a Friday night NBA match-up in New York’s Madison Square Garden between the LA Lakers and New York Knicks what exactly would you think about? Seeing Kobe take on Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire in a big east versus west contest at the “Worlds Most Famous Arena”. You did get to see Kobe for the Lakers but missing for the Knicks was Carmelo and Amare. There seems to be a new sensation who is taking New York by storm. His name is Jeremy Lin.
Who is Jeremy Lin? Right now he is the point guard running the depleted Knicks offense. He is the first American born player in NBA history of Chinese descent. Lin, an undrafted player who grew up in Palo Alto, CA attended Harvard University. The Harvard graduate (with a degree in Economics) finished his career with 1,483 points, 487 rebounds, 406 assists and 225 steals. He is only the 3rd player from Harvard to make it to the ABA-NBA, the last player to do that was Saul Mariaschin (Washington Capitols 1947-48 season). Numbers that are pretty impressive for an Ivy Leaguer. After graduating college Lin bounced around in the D-League, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets organizations before signing with the Knicks back in December.
Prior to this month Lin was averaging close to 5 minutes and 3.75 points per game in mop up duty. February has been a big month for Lin who is now averaging nearly 33 minutes and 23.2 points per game in a starters role which includes tonight where he dropped 38 points and 7 assists against Kobe in a 92-85 win against the Lakers.
In his 3 NBA starts for the team Lin has scored 89 points, which is the most points by a starter in Knicks history which dates back to merger of the ABA-NBA in the 1976-77 season, that record was previously held by Bill Cartwright who scored 80 points over the 3 game period back in the 1979-80 season. Lin with his performance tonight becomes only the second player to average more than 20 points, 5 assists and shoot more than 50 percent from the floor in 4 straight games, the other player to do that was LeBron James. Lin’s 38 points tonight against the Lakers was a career best, career high at Harvard was 30 points.
“Linsanity” is currently taking ”the city that never sleeps” by storm. Quickly stealing the back page spotlight from the Super Bowl Champ New York Giants. According to several reports today the first shipment of Lin’s Knicks jersey hit the shelves in local sporting good stores only to sell out minutes later. Everyone loves to hear the story of the underdog. Currently, Lin is just that. He is a player that can just go out have fun and play basketball with nothing to lose. Just think a few weeks ago he was a player was riding the pine, now he is a starter for one of the more famous franchises in the NBA. Who knows what’s next for this relative unknown who is making a big time splash in the league. Is it possible we will see long time court side season ticket holder/movie director Spike Lee sporting a Lin jersey at the next home game against Sacramento on Wednesday. Either way with Lin’s performance over the past week he is making himself a star in a town with many bright stars already.
If anyone was wondering Kobe had 34 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.