The Oldest College Newspaper in Pennsylvania

The Lafayette

The Oldest College Newspaper in Pennsylvania

The Lafayette

The Oldest College Newspaper in Pennsylvania

The Lafayette

Mike’d Up: (2/17/12)

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By Michael Kelley ’14 & Mick Kowaleski ’14

Is Linsanity for real?

Kowaleski: For those of you living under a rock for the past couple weeks, undrafted Harvard graduate Jeremy Lin has found a success playing point guard for a despondent New York Knicks team. Since he first subbed in on February 4 against the Nets, Lin has averaged 26.8 points and 8.5 assists while leading the Knickerbockers to six straight wins. The question on the sporting world’s mind is whether or not the Lin Dynasty has potential for longevity.

How can it not be? Not even Lebron James or Kobe Bryant, the greatest players in the game today, averaged as many points during their first few starts. In fact, no player in the history of the ABA-NBA merger has done as well as Lin in their first five starts. Detractors cited a lack of quality competition at first, but after torching the Los Angeles Lakers for 38 points, how are those arguments valid anymore? Lin has been playing fantastic basketball for several years, revitalizing a Harvard basketball team that is currently nationally ranked. He put up 30 points against Kimba Walker’s Huskies last year! It baffles me how such a talent went undrafted.

People are comparing Lin to the recent Tim Tebow phenomenon in the NFL. That’s a disservice to Jeremy Lin—he did all of this without the Knick’s two best stars, Amare Staudemire and Carmelo Anthony, and is the sole reason why the Knicks are even close to .500 and are in the playoff hunt. Whoever tells you otherwise is kidding themselves.

Plus, all of the “Lin”-centered puns are a pure joy to read.

Kelley: First off, in reply to your Tim Tebow paragraph, I just have one thing to add. Lin can score, Tebow cannot. Unfortunately, Tebow Time saved 7 weeks worth of scoring for my Pittsburgh Steelers. But back to Lin.

I was initially a doubter of “Linsanity.” But, after watching him set an NBA record with 136 points in his first five starts, I am a full believer. The one thing to look out for is what happens to this team when Carmelo comes back. The guy demands close to 25 shots a game. Is this going to be a problem? The Knicks have clearly shown that they have had their fair share of chemistry issues this season. Lin still thrived in the return of Amare Stoudemire, putting up 27 points and 11 assists while Amare dropped down 21 points and collected 9 boards. That sounds pretty effective to me.

When Melo comes back, one has to wonder if it will disrupt the momentum the Knicks are experiencing on this 6 game win streak. Someone might need to tell Melo that there is no need to rush.

Some more Lin puns:

-Linderella

-The guy has a good Linside game to complement his shooting.

-As Skip Bayless would say, “All he does is Lin”

-That was an amazing game-Linning shot

 

The Near Return of Tiger Woods

Kowaleski: It almost happened. For really the first time in a while, Tiger Woods looked primed to begin his return to the top of the golf world. Ever since the infamous scandal hit Woods in 2009, a man who was once considered to be the greatest golfer of all time has failed to win a major in the time since then. The golfing world has awaited the coming of their messiah—Rory McIlroy hasn’t really panned out. The PGA has been waiting for their superstar to reemerge.

The messiah seemed to have a second coming during Pebble Beach 2012. A fantastic third round brought him within four shots of the lead to Charlie Wi, and his previously unquestionable nature as a clutch closer seemed to be taking over.

Then Phil Mickelson arrived. Coupled with a fantastic collapse by Tiger, Lefty stormed past both him and Wi to win the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. And Woods, who seemed to be taking a huge step towards retaking his place atop of golf’s throne, ended up losing by 11 strokes. Mickelson now evens the series against his greatest rival at 13-13-4, another signal that Woods’ time may be officially over. In my mind, Woods is done. He won’t achieve the glory that he once had, both on the course and off of it. He’s obviously lost a step, and Pebble Beach is just another indication of that trend.

Kelley: I have to disagree with you on that one. Woods isn’t done by any means. The guy is finally healthy after numerous knee issues. He has a new coach. And he will always have the motivation of catching Jack Nicaklaus’ record of 18 majors. Put those three together with his new, “fresh” mind, and we’ll be seeing the return of Tiger very soon. He was one day away from his first official victory in more than two years. Its been one long, terrible ride, for Woods but its leveled out. He can only go up from here.

One day, it’s his putting. The next, its his hitting. When this guy puts it together one of these days, watch out. Even his opponent, the Lefty, admitted that Woods is close to a full return. I’ll go out on a limb here and say the full return will occur at the Masters, that’s right, the tradition unlike any other.

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