Since converting our URL to Linthamist.com three weeks ago, we've found that sometimes there's just too much good Jeremy Lin news than can be fit into one day. Thus, we're proud to bring you our end-of-the-day Lin wrap-up linkstravaganza:
Lin Is Lintouchable: Linsanity has overshadowed many things this season—the lockout, how badly teams are playing, LeBron James' monster stats—and that includes the Dwight Howard trade saga. Before the season started, Howard seemed like he was on his way to becoming this year's Carmelo Anthony, an unhappy franchise player who forces a trade to his preferred destination mid-way through the season. Now that we're coming up for air a few weeks before the trade deadline (March 15), it seems that's still a distinct possibility —and the Knicks have reportedly been inquiring about what it would take to bring him here.
An Eastern Conference GM told the Post: “I’m positive the Knicks have called just in case Dwight changes up. I’m sure they’ve offered a combination of everybody, excluding Jeremy Lin, of course. Otis deserves a lot of credit for not putting it out on the street which teams have offered what.” That's right: Jeremy Lin is now the only untouchable Knickerbocker!
The Nets are of course also trying desperately to get Howard (lest Deron Williams jumps ship this summer before the big move to Brooklyn). But it sure would be strange if the Knicks ended up selling half their team once again for a marquee superstar. Of course, they'd probably end up throwing in "the TV rights to Walt Frazier," as Peter Vecsey suggests.
It's A Family Affair: The NY Times has another great piece on Lin today, this time focusing on his family, and the importance of the support they've given him: "Long before there were Madison Square Garden and endorsement opportunities and an unending spotlight on a quiet family from the Bay Area, there were two graduate students in a cramped apartment in Indiana, a rattling Ford Taurus and bills so overwhelming they once gripped the family’s finances."
A-Rod's Couch Crash Offer: With spring training here, Alex Rodriguez poked his head up to survey the sports world. “The great thing about Linsanity is that it kind of reminds you how much fun the game can be,” he said about Lin, according to the Post. A-Rod is a couple weeks behind the news cycle though: “If he is still looking for a place to crash, he can crash at my apartment. Imagine the tabloids then..." Someone should pitch that to Chuck Lorre as a sitcom.
Praise Lin!: More NBA All-Stars gave praise unto Lin—Steve Nash echoed LeBron James, saying Lin's story has been great for the league. He also thinks every team should have their own Lin: "I think [the Knicks] is a good system for him, but I think every team can use a point guard like him," Nash, who spent four seasons playing for D'Antoni, said. "I don't think it's because of the system. I think it's a good system for him, but I think he'd be good anywhere he played the game."
Kobe Bryant went one further: if he were in charge, and his team missed out on an under-the-radar talent like Lin, there would be blood. "The biggest thing to me is how everybody missed that," Bryant said. "They all would be fired if I was owning a team. I hear this stuff about it came out of nowhere, and I think it's [wrong]. You can't play that well and just come out of nowhere. There has to something there and everybody missed it, so heads would roll."
The Gospel Of Lin: Fox News noticed today that Lin wears his faith on his sleeve—literally. Lin's wristband reads, "In Jesus' Name I Play"—and they interviewed Lanny Smith, founder of "Active Faith," a Christian sports apparel brand. For more reLINgion (nyuck nyuck), The Daily has compiled all of Lin's quotes about his faith.
Snacks And Tricks: Jeremy Lin didn't play much during the Rising Stars Challenge All-Star game, but it seems he did take some time out to joke around with some kids. In the video below, watch as Lin tries to persuade a young fan not to share his snack with Blake Griffin. Oh, and he also snatches his hat!
Next Up: Actual rest and relaxation for a few days (we hope for his sake). Then the Knicks start up the second half of the season by hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at the Garden.