An old adage states that, “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure”. This statement applies in sports, professional or amateur.

 

As strange as it may appear there are parallels in the journeys of Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks and Paul De Jersey of the Prince George Spruce Kings. It sounds farfetched because one player is attracting international attention in the NBA while the other is just going about his business with little fanfare in the BCHL.

 

The analogy stems from where they started to where they are now. Lin and De Jersey were both labelled as “junk” and turned into “treasure”. Lin’s story has become well documented. At the beginning of this month, I was similar to most fans that had never heard of the 23-year old point guard; however, it’s hard not be drawn to his Lin-credible story.

 

The Harvard grad seemingly emerged from nowhere to lead the Knicks to a recent 7-game win
streak and 9 victories in 11 games. He is the underdog that most can relate to and cheer for with a salary of just $762,000 compared to the league average of over $5 million. Lin, who was not drafted, was cut by both the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets and after joining the Knicks was buried deep on the bench.

 

There were indications New York was going to let him go, but with star Carmelo Anthony injured, coach Mike D’Antoni gave the first American-born NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent a chance to log significant minutes and Lin seized the opportunity. During the win streak he averaged 27 points and 8 assists per game, highlighted by a 38 point game in a 92-85 victory over the L.A. Lakers.

 

Yes, he has cooled a bit, and yes, he is committing too many turnovers and yes, he struggles at times defensively, but this player has defied the odds and has caused arguably as big a buzz (if not bigger)  as Tebow-mania in the NFL. We don’t know where his continuing story is going to end, but Lin  has given fans a reason to again pay attention to the NBA.

 

Meanwhile, De Jersey is also a feel good story in his league. Like Lin, De Jersey was a castoff as the 19-year old forward from West Vancouver was considered a journeyman prior to his arrival in Prince George. The 6-foot-3, 200 pound De Jersey had just 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in his 93 BCHL combined games with Salmon Arm, Coquitlam and Burnaby. Today, he leads the entire league with 40 goals, 50 assists for 90 points in 51 games. That’s an astounding accomplishment especially when he is ahead of each player on the Penticton Vees, who are shattering the record books averaging nearly a whopping six goals per game.

 

It’s amazing the difference a fresh start, prime role and newfound confidence can make. Let’s emphasize that again: De Jersey has gone from 23 POINTS in 93 GAMES to 90 POINTS in 51. He will be leaving the Spruce Kings after the season to join Providence (NCAA Div. 1) on a well-earned scholarship.

 

These rags to riches stories offer a refreshing change from the mainstream and bring a human element that the casual fan can relate to.

 

Yes, virtually overnight Jeremy Lin has become the Most "Linteresting" Man in the World. He doesn’t always suffer from mental illness but when he does it’s from “Linsanity”.

 

Maybe when the NBA season is over U.S. President Obama can appoint Jeremy Lin to a temporary position to work on unemployment. Lin’s already done the seemingly impossible with jobs – saved Mike D’Antoni’s.

One amusing sidelight in this Jeremy Lin story: How often do we get to hear about a Harvard graduate overcoming adversity?

 

Jeremy Lin’s agent has asked him to trade mark ‘Linsanity’, in case Milton Bradley attempts a comeback.

Jeremy Lin’s No. 17 Knicks uniform has become the NBA’s top seller—which means 100,000 more first graders will be absent from school in China this week to beef up the Nike work force.

 

NY Knicks star Carmello Anthony was expected back in the line-up on Sunday but was unable to go with what the team called a new LINjury. Anthony was healthy for a game on Monday in which the Knicks lost, a situation the team is calling a coLINcidence.

Lin was sleeping on the couch of his brother before his recent run to stardom but now with a reported $750K a year salary will be eligible to rent a 300 sq. ft. Studio in Manhattan as long as he can get a roommate.

 

Jeremy Lin is asking everyone to leave his family members alone in their native Taiwan. Bothering Lin’s relatives for his new basketball fame makes as much sense as pestering my Polish relatives for my rapid rise on Twitter.
Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

 

An ESPN writer has been dismissed for posting a controversial headline regarding the Knicks point guard. Jeremy Lin is just taking all this attention in with a grain of rice.

The Lingerie Football League is coming to BC. They will play out of the religious agricultural community of Abbotsford. Approval was granted only when the team said it would put up at least three “Hail Marys” each home game.
[Did you notice the league is named after Jeremy?]

 

 

Norway call-centre workers are protesting a system that sounds an alarm if they spend over eight minutes in the washroom. In a related story, Queen Elizabeth is celebrating 60 years on the throne.