New York Knicks point guard, Jeremy Lin, was absolutely Lincredible in the Knicks’ 104-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Lin stuffed the stat sheets again by scoring 28 points with 14 assists and 5 steals. Madison Square Garden was roaring once again and Lin showed that he could overcome adversity by having a stellar performance after his first loss as a starter against the Hornets.
There have been some great sports phenomenas in history, including the recent Tebowmania. Linsanity and Tebowmania do not compare for many reasons. Yes, nobody was expecting great success from both and yes all they do is Lin Lin Lin, but Tebow did not come from nothing like Lin did.
Lin was a solid player at Palo Alto High School and went on to play at Harvard University where he went un-drafted. Lin played sparingly as a rookie for the Warriors and was eventually cut by the team and then cut again by the Houston Rockets. Tebow, was a star at Nease High School, where he was a highly touted recruit that brought his talents to the Florida Gators. As a Gator he was a National Champion, Heisman winner, record breaker and a first round draft pick by the Denver Broncos.
The real comparison to another great sports phenomena is Linsanity compared to Fernandomania.
Fernando Valenzuela burst onto the scene in 1981 as a chubby left-hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Valenzuela attracted sold out crowds and roaring fans every time he toed the rubber. Like Lin, Fernandomania came out of nowhere and became huge in a heartbeat.
Lin got an opportunity to play, because Baron Davis was hurt and Carmello Anthony sustained a groin injury. Valenzuela’s opportunity is very similar as he got a chance to start opening day of the 1981 season, because Jerry Reuss hurt his leg right before his scheduled start and Burt Hooton wasn’t ready to fill in.
Valenzuela started his season 8-0 and went on to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards in 1981. Lin is now 7-1 and averaging 25 points per game in those games. Who knows what Lin will do with the rest of his season.
Let’s all sit and watch how Lincredible, this Linsanity can be.
Categories: Sports
Life's A Ball 
Leave a Reply