By Alberto Arias –

The arrival of Jeremy Lin has captivated the basketball universe and has created a media uproar that the NBA has not seen in years. The 6’3,” 200 lbs., Asian point guard, has taken over headlines across the U.S and has brought the New York Knickerbockers a surge of momentum. Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of Basketball, is rocking and the excitement is back in the World’s Greatest Arena. This story has captured the hearts and minds of the NBA fans, media outlets, and aspiring athletes.

This underdog tale starts with Lin playing for Ivy League’s Harvard University from 2006-2010. He was then undrafted and slipped through all 32 teams’ radars. He was invited by the Dallas Mavericks’ Summer League squad but did not manage to make the first-team squad. He was also cut from the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. Ultimately he was shipped to the Developmental League and was out of the NBA.

On December 19th Lin was claimed off of waivers by the New York Knicks. he was at the end of the bench and fourth in the Point Guard rotation. Before signing a ten day contract with the Knicks, he was actually sleeping on his teammate Landry Field’s couch.

Nevertheless, he continued to arrive first at practice, leave last, intensely study game film, and work with coaches to improve his footwork and point guard skills. The Knicks were 8-15 and had lost 11 of 13 when head coach, Mike D’Antoni, out of desperation, he subbed Jeremy Lin into the lineup in a Feb. 4th game against Hudson River rival New Jersey Nets. At the time, there was speculation that D’Antoni’s job was at risk. In this game, Lin outplayed Nets’ All-Star PG Deron Williams and had career highs with 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists.

After only 12 games he was selected to the Rising Stars game for the All-Star weekend. Lin has led the Knicks to a 9-3 record since joining the rotation. In his first twelve starts Lin has averaged 22.5 points and 8.7 assists. Lin came from the depths of last on the bench to a franchise saving PG. Lin has managed to break the NBA record for the most points and assists in those first twelve starts.

A PG is a facilitator, floor general, and tempo setter. Lin possesses all these qualities along with his devastating cross over and stutter step. His explosiveness sets up penetration lanes and this has set up opportunities for his other teammates. He is a team player but some speculate the chemistry issues alongside star forwards Carmelo Anthony and A’mare Stoutemire, who are players who take the bulk of the offensive field goals.

The only thing that is holding back Lin is his turnover propensity. His attacking style makes him the prototype PG for the D’Antoni run and gun offense. He is now the main focus for opposing head coaches and game plan around him. Regardless of this, Lin has managed to break the NBA record for the most points and assists in his first twelve games.

Lin’s fame has gained him many nicknames, such as “Lincredible,” “Lintastic,” “Linderella,” and even “Super Lintendo.” Tickets sales in MSG have sky rocketed and have had a 27 percent increase. He has already signed a deal with Nike and according to Forbes is worth an estimate of $15 million.

The phenomenal Lin has increased NBA fans love for the game. The Knicks have 14 home games remaining on the schedule. The NBA regular season ends on April 26th. Tune into MSG to witness the “Linsanity.”