Beyond Tim’s “tebowing,” the next biggest Christian sports craze in recent years was Linsanity. Jeremy Lin inspired masses of believers with his commitment to Christ and his basketball talents.
Now, Lin is headed to Los Angeles in a trade with the Houston Rockets.
“This trade allows us to acquire a solid player who will make us a better team, as well as draft picks to improve our team in the future, while at the same time allowing us to maintain financial flexibility,” says Lakers’ General Manager Mitch Kupchak in a statement. “In addition to what he’ll bring us on the court, we think Jeremy will be warmly embraced by our fans and our community.”
A warm embrace is one thing. The question is: Will Linsanity follow? It may if you believe the news headlines.
In an article headlined ” ‘Linsanity’ Comes to Los Angeles,” The Diplomat reports, “He not only posted exceptional numbers during this time—being named Eastern Conference Player of the Week in February 2012—but his exciting play seemed to breathe new life into the NY Knicks. ‘Linsanity’ soon swept through New York City as well as Taiwan and China. Linsanity continued even as Lin’s numbers dropped due to a then-undisclosed injury that he decided to play through. In July 2012, The New York Times called Lin the Knicks’ ‘most popular player in a decade.’ “
Meanwhile, the Houston Chronicle reports the Linsanity was over in Houston before it got started: “Although Lin leaves Houston without a comparable period of ‘Linsanity’ to match his time in New York, Bullard said the Lakers are getting a better player than the one who arrived in Houston two years ago.”
And SCRP.org reports that many Lin fans saw it as a sign of disrespect when earlier this month, Houston tried to court Carmelo Anthony by Photoshopping him into Rockets No. 7 jersey—the same as Lin’s. Lin responded by tweeting a Bible verse: “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.”
Spoken like a true disciple of Christ—and you’ve got to love the wit.
