Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Jeremy Lin are 4 of the 15 players in NBA history to record at least 20 points, 7 assists and a steal for 6 consecutive games, according to Jon Bois of Sports Blog Nation.

Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Jeremy Lin are 4 of the 15 players in NBA history to record at least 20 points, 7 assists and a steal for 6 consecutive games, according to Jon Bois of Sports Blog Nation.

New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin has made a rapid transition from being a roster-filling bench warmer to a life of NBA stardom and an identity as an international icon.

Lin, an undrafted point guard from Harvard University played the 2010-11 season as a member of the Golden State Warriors.

After being waived by Golden State on the first day of 2011-12 training camp, Lin would be claimed off waivers by the Houston Rockets only to be waived once again on Christmas Eve.

The Knicks claimed Lin off waivers to be a backup for 3 other point guards on their roster.

Lin, 23, is one of a very small number of Asian American players in NBA history and is also the only American player to be of Chinese or Taiwanese descent.

Lin graduated from the prestigious Harvard University with a 3.1 GPA and a degree in economics.

The “Linsanity” began on Feb. 3rd, when the Knicks hosted the New Jersey Nets at Madison Square Garden Arena.

Lin, who had no significant playing time prior to the game was forced to play 36 minutes due to player injuries.

Lin led the handicapped Knicks to a 99-92 victory, posting a career high 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists against New Jersey’s All-Star point guard Derron Williams.

After immediately being inserted into the starting lineup by Head Coach Mike D’antoni, Lin maximized his opportunity leading the previously declining Knicks to 6 straight wins, averaging 24 points, 10 Assists, and 4 rebounds along the way.

In a post-game interview after an overtime win against the Boston Celtics on January 9, Lakers All-Star guard Kobe Bryant was quoted saying, “I don’t know what you guys are talking about. What has he done,” when asked about the recent “linsanity” around the league.

Kobe was enlightened.

The next day, Lin’s productivity peaked in a highly anticipated matchup against Bryant and the “Battle Tested” Los Angeles Lakers in New York.

Lin did the unthinkable, posting a new career high of 38 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in an action-packed 92-85 win.

Four days later, Lin would spread the love in Toronto as he would swish a game-winning 3-point dagger into the hearts of the struggling Raptors at the buzzer of a 90-87 Valentine’s Day classic.

It is hard to grasp the fact that Jeremy Lin scored more points through his first five starts than any player in NBA history.

Lin’s life has changed drastically over the past week.

Lin spent the earlier part of 2012 sleeping on his brother’s couch in Manhattan, but has since purchased a condo in White Plains, New York after his Knicks contract became guaranteed.

For Lin, the endorsements are plentiful. Nike has plans to release the Nike Hyperfuse 2011 Linsanity P.E. shoe in the New York Knicks distinct orange and blue tandem with Lin written in script.

Lin has compiled 350,000 followers on Twitter and has 750,000 on the Chinese version of the social website, according to the New Yorker.

Since Feb. 3rd, Lin, who wears number 17, has the number-one selling jersey in the NBA.

Lin’s humility, effort, and a quick pull-up jumper have permanently branded his name in NBA history.

After being regarded to as a below average player at best, Lin has climbed to unprecedented heights and is living proof that the sky is the limit.

 

 

• Kalyn Hoyle, Register Reporter