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Knicks' Newest Star, Jeremy Lin, Is Couchsurfing
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 8, 2012
Modified Feb 8, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 8, 2012
Modified Feb 8, 2012
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It might be the bizarro world, but the Knicks are not complaining about the surging (if you can call two games a surge) Jeremy Lin. The Knicks had signed the Harvard graduate off of waivers last December as a backup point guard, not expecting much. But then a dazzling 25-point game against the Nets on Saturday—plus other Knicks injuries and absences—prompted coach Mike D'Antoni to start Lin against the Jazz. And Lin led the team with 28 points. So the NY Times has a feature on the "Linsanity": "From Ivy Halls to the Garden, Surprise Star Jolts the N.B.A."
Lin's $800,000 contract wasn't guaranteed by the Knicks until yesterday afternoon: "So for the past six weeks, Lin, 23, has been sleeping in his brother Josh’s living room, waiting for clarity and career security." Josh Lin, a dental student at NYU who lives in the Lower East Side, offered the bright side, "He has his own couch." But actually Lin has some other couches to call home: He Tweeted on Saturday, "God is good during our ups and our downs! Glad we got the win!! Thanks to @landryfields for lettin me crash on his couch last night lol"
Lin seems to be fitting in just fine with his teammates: "Trying to get over @landryfields KILLIN me in monopoly with park place and boardwalk..." and "Just lost to @tysonchandler in monopoly too...contemplating retiring from the game. Time to zzz and get ready for tmrw" And Spike Lee is loving him too:
The Times points out, "Yet the Lin phenomenon transcends race or nationality. He resonates with devout Christians, because he speaks openly of his faith, a sort of Taiwanese Tim Tebow. He taps into the passions of Harvard alumni, Ivy Leaguers, New Yorkers and anyone anywhere who loves an underdog." Indeed, some wonder if he's the basketball Tebow ("Awesome church service to start 2012! My new years resolution: love God more deeply and intimately by dec 31 than I did on jan 1").
But the security guards probably know who he is now—back on January 4, Lin Tweeted, "Everytime i try to get into Madison Square Garden, the security guards ask me if im a trainer LOL."
Tagged
couchsurfing
jeremy lin
landry fields
tim tebow
tyson chandler
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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