Jeremy Lin: Pre-"Linsane"

Jeremy Lin: Pre-"Linsane"

By Paige Costantino

When you think of the New York Knicks what players come to mind, Carmelo Anthony? Amare Stoudemire? Or what about the newest sensation number 17 Jeremy Lin? Jeremy Lin has been the biggest talk of the previous week with outstanding performances against the Nets, Jazz, Wizards, Lakers and Timberwolves and a game winning three pointer against the Toronto Raptors . Jeremy Lin was the missing piece to the Knick's franchise averaging

27.2 points in the last five games. Previously, during the whole month of December, Lin played in a total of 5 games averaging just 8.2 minutes per game. He has set a record for most points in his first career three starts as a professional since the ABA merged into the NBA in 1976-77 season (ESPN). So where did this prolific player come from?

Source: Jeremy Lin as a New York Knick

Source: Jeremy Lin as a Harvard Crimson

Lin was a 2010 graduate from the famous Harvard University. In his senior season at Harvard, Lin averaged the most points on his team (16.4) and had a winning record for the Crimson (21-8) (ESPN). However, Lin faced much adversity just getting into a Division I college when Bill Holden, who is a top assistant at Harvard, told Lin's high school coach he is only at the level of a Division III player. However, after Holden saw Lin play for a second time, Holden became re-interested in Lin's style of play and suddenly Lin became Holden's biggest interest. At Harvard, Lin had a tremendous work ethic taking extra shots and training outside of practice (Daily News). The work ethic of an elite athlete. After Lin graduated in 2010, he bounced around the NBA and the D-League, undrafted, with an uncertain future. Lin was placed on the Golden State Warriors roster for the 2010-2011 season where he was rarely seen on the court, to be exact 29 times and averaged 9.8 minutes per game (ESPN). Lin was soon demoted to the D-league where he was released when the lockout ended in December. Soon after he was tossed to the Rockets but was released before the Rockets' first game. Lin was moved 3 times in his short career. It seemed that his dream of being a professional basketball player would be cut short, however there was still hope for number 17. This past January, Lin was sent once again to the D-League by yes, the Knicks, but a few days later after a triple-double performance was brought back to New York (CBS Sports) . Was this his chance to finally show what he was about? On February 4th, Lin finally got his chance. He played 36 minutes against the Nets and boy, was that 36 minutes unforgettable for not only Knicks fans but the entire sports community. Lin was 10-19 scoring 25 points which by the way was a team high. The Knick's prevailed beating the Nets 99-92 and this was only the beginning (ESPN). Lin has gone on to receive a starting position and since his debut the Knicks are on a 5-0 run. Has Lin found a permanent home for himself with the Knicks? How long will the "Linsanity" continue for? Has he proved himself yet? Well my friends, only time will tell.