Bank on Brian

Feb 15

THE LIN SHOW: #Linsanity - Game #6 @ TOR

Could it get any better - or crazier?

Somehow, yes - by the grace of God - Lin with ‘The Dagger’ shot with .5 seconds remaining coupled with a nice 6-game win streak above all. This is exactly how I feel:

“Its crazy! I’m watching Linsanity hoping every shot goes in. Hope I never grow up.” -Suns guard Steve Nash

Stats:

43 Minutes Played (D’Antoni “riding him like a freakin’ secretariat”)
45.0 FG%, 2-2 3PM, .636 FT%
27 PTS (Lin has scored more points over his first five starts than any player since the ABA-NBA merger)
Career-high 11 ASTS, 2 REBS, 1 STL
8 TO’s

My thoughts:

Lin came out the gates lackluster. Still getting used to the heavy minutes, but the break probably took some of the energy out of him as well. He feeds off adrenaline, emotion, and big moments as we saw tonight. He hates to lose - like me. He played too passive at first, resulting in a ton of turnovers and forced attempts. The 2nd half he turned it on, and if he can keep shooting this well, sky’s the limit. He desperately needs to cut down on his turnovers to avoid games like these in which they could’ve easily lost, but he’s still learning the NBA game, basically running with free reign under DA’s system as a technically ‘rookie’ PG. Players usually take time - sometimes years - to develop the consistency to average the numbers he’s putting up, so just starting to play this much this fast with no training camp or playing time, its understandable and Lincredible. Free-throw shooting could also be higher, because its what helps win games, and he could’ve dropped 31 had he hit them all! A word to all Knicks players if you want to help Lin and the team win - FREE throws - not HARD, DIFFICULT throws, smh. Hit them, Lin & team. Dude is clutch though. Clutch. And the scary part is - he’s still getting better.

Anyways, Amar’e was getting beat the hell up by Amir Johnson too, played beyond rusty with no explosion or quickness. I know he’s going through a rough patch, mourning ain’t easy at all, but he needs to get back on his feet ASAP as STAT should be acclimated to Lin’s game immediately once he truly returns, but he should still take the time he needs mentally. Best wishes to him and his family, tough times. Melo remains to be seen on both ends of the spectrum.

Building A Legacy:

“With 27 points Tuesday, Jeremy Lin stayed atop a list of NBA stars. Lin has 136 points through his 1st 5 starts, the most of any player who began his career after the merger.

From Elias: Jeremy Lin now has 20+ points and 7+ assists in 6 straight games. That’s tied for the longest such streak in Knicks history.

Jeremy Lin has reached 20 points and 7 assists for the 6th straight game - the longest streak in the NBA this season.

The Anti-LeBron?: “Lin scored 12 of his 27 points in the 4th quarter and he’s been great in the final 12 minutes all season — especially during the Knicks’ winning streak. He’s scored 82 points in the fourth quarter and just 111 in the first three quarters COMBINED.”

Quotes of the Game:

“Floyd Mayweather I Hope You Watched Jeremy Hit The Gamewinning 3 Pointer With .005 Seconds Left.Our Guy Can BALL PLAIN AND SIMPLE.RECOGNIZE.” -director Spike Lee

“Chuck Norris may wear Tebow pajamas but I’m pretty sure he has a Jeremy Lin night light to scare the boogeyman away. Wow! What a run!!!” -Heat forward Shane Battier

“OK, I GIVE IN!!!!!!!!!!! Its Legit!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!” -TNT NBA analyst Reggie Miller

“@JLin7 ‘s shot was great… His celebration ill say was fair at best LOL #Linsanity” -Warriors forward David Lee

“I wish I was Jeremy Lin.” -CNN host Piers Morgan

“Vatican has been looking for that second miracle to make John Paul a saint…cld it be #Linsanity” -talk show host Bill Maher