Stop the “Linsanity” Already: Jeremy Lin is Just a Fad

Topics: Basketball, Jeremy Lin Blog, Jeremy Lin NY Knicks, Linsanity Blog, NBA, Sports

By: Greg Wattley

Since the epidemic outbreak of Jeremy Lin, a.k.a. “Linsanity” just over a week ago, it’s as if we have forgotten February is actually black history month.

So who is this Jeremy Lin? And what is ”Linsanity” all about?

Being the avid sports fan that I am, if anyone had ask me these questions two weeks ago I wouldn’t
have had the slightest idea.

Two weeks later, here is what I can tell you. Jeremy Lin is a 23 year old Harvard Graduate from Los Angeles California. He is the first Asian-American born of Chinese or Taiwanese descent (born to Taiwanese parents) to play in the NBA. Lin played High School basketball in Palo Alto, CA. He went toHarvard because no other division one schools offered him an athletic scholarship. After he graduated in 2010, he went undrafted by the NBA.

Linsanity

Until last week he was sleeping on his brother’s couch, had been cut two previous times by two other NBA teams and was on a 10-day contract with the Knick waiting to be cut once again—only this time he was contemplating giving up his dreams of playing in the NBA. However as drama has been known to unfold in the Big Apple, the City that gave us Broadway—the New York Knicks (no short of drama itself) known for giving outrageous contracts to under achieving athletes, got a suddenly touch of the injury bug—causing the team to sideline Carmelo Anthony and injury-prone Baron Davis among others. With their backs against the wall, the Knicks had no choice but to reach down to the end of its bench and use what was left on its roster. With no other healthy point guards, Coach Mike D’Antoni had no choice but to insert Jeremy Lin into the starting lineup. The team was already going to be made the laughing stock of the league, and there were rumors the coach was going to be fired so what did he have to lose. A week later as the saying goes the rest is history. All of a sudden, it’s as if we are witnessing the resurgence of the New Knicks when they were somewhat relevant back in the 90s.

While the Knicks have gone from “pretender” to “contender” after winning 7 games in a row since
inserting Jeremy Lin into the starting lineup—the pandemonium has gotten way out of control.

You cannot turn on the television or open the newspaper and not have to deal with the mayhem. It would be one thing if it was just the sports media that was jumping on the Jeremy Lin ‘bandwagon’, but when mainstream media is doing the same—I have no choice but to scream stop the “Linsanity” already.Everywhere you turn there is a plethora of ridiculous headlines: ranging from “Linsanity” takes over the Internet, to “Lintastic” to “Not In LIN House” among others; and my favorite would definitely have to be “Linderella.”

The “Linsanity” is very much alive, even though the Knicks lost Friday night to a paltry New
Orleans Hornets team where Lin led the team with 10 turnovers. Don’t get me wrong, the guy has been averaging 25 points and 8 assists the last seven games— by the same token, he has already set a new NBA record with 45 turnovers in his first 7 career starts.

Just how far are we really going to take this “Linsanity”?

Case in point, the jersey Lin wore the first game he played with the Knicks—keep in mind, he only played one minute and 27 seconds and missed his only shot in the game, sold on eBay for $40,000 this week.

The Knicks are also planning to auction off the jersey Lin wore when the team beat the L.A. Lakers
on February 10. NBA fans can bid for the autographed Jeremy Lin jersey from the game, four tickets and a postgame meet-and-greet with Lin for the upcoming Feb. 22 game against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden.

Let’s embrace “Linsanity” for what it is—a feel good story. We all wish the guy well; hope he keeps his head on straight; stays healthy and humble—most importantly, keeps his job so he doesn’t have to go back to sleeping on his brother’s couch. Let’s not forget that we live in a society that can tear you down just as quickly as they place you on a pinnacle.

Guaranteed—next year this time more than half of us would not remember who Jeremy Lin is.

[Infographic on Jeremy Lin: Linfographic]

linfographic Stop the “Linsanity” Already

Linfographic: Jeremy Lin

[Video] Jeremy Lin and LA Lakers:

Incoming search terms:

linsanity

6 thoughts on “Stop the “Linsanity” Already”

Randal P. on February 20, 2012 at 2:33 am said:

Who is Greg Wattley anyway?
one result on a Google search and that is the link to the blog you just posted. I guarantee I won’t remember who Greg Wattley is by the time I am done with dinner.

Reply
Big_man_on_campus on February 20, 2012 at 3:51 am said:

Randal P. I’m guessing you’re one of many who have caught the “Linsanity” fever. Hope you get well soon before this guys 15 minutes of fame runs out.

Reply
Monty on February 20, 2012 at 4:00 am said:

Well, I think this Greg character is hilarious….I will be remembering him after dinner!

Reply
Damon on February 21, 2012 at 6:52 pm said:

Greg I hope i can remember you after dinner lol! Linsanity lives on.

Reply
ibou on February 22, 2012 at 11:14 pm said:

Let him have fun, he deserves it, it’ not always about my Lakers.

Reply
Big_man_on_campus on February 23, 2012 at 4:35 am said:

Ibou, you’re really taking this good considering he did torch your Lakers with 38 points.

Reply

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