Jeremy Lin Withdraws From USA Select Team Due To Free Agency Status

Jeremy Lin has withdrawn from the USA Men's Select Team that was set to help prepare the U.S. Olympic team from July 6-11 for 2012 London Olympics. Lin informed USA Basketball on Monday, saying that the withdrawal was due to his contract status.

"Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to participate in the 2012 USA Men's Select Team this summer," said Lin. "It was such an incredible honor to be selected, but I have withdrawn my name from the team because of my status as a free agent. I hope to have the opportunity to participate with USA Basketball at some point in the future."

Lin is a restricted free agent with the New York Knicks. While the Knicks have said they would like to retain Lin, they will likely wait to match whatever offer sheet Lin signs with another organization. The ploy could backfire on the Knicks if the another team offers a backloaded "poison pill" contract. Such a deal would force New York to pay an exorbitant amount of money late in the length of the deal.

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Jeremy Lin Will Trademark 'Linsanity'

According to the Huffington Post, the term 'Linsanity' will be trademarked by New York Knicks guard, Jeremy Lin.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected the remaining applicants for the Linsanity trademark, leaving Lin as the sole candidate, his lawyer, Pamela Deese, told The Huffington Post Thursday night.

Lin burst onto the scene for Knicks in February – when "Linsanity" was at its peak, prompting his jersey sales to sky-rocket to second in the NBA, behind Derrick Rose. Lin's play declined as the season went on, and he finished the season on the bench, with a torn meniscus.

The 23-year-old free agent to-be could find himself on a new team next season, but apparently 'Linsanity' will follow him to whichever city he resides in.

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2012 USA Select Team Roster Announced: Jeremy Lin Among 13 Rising Stars Selected

Jeremy Lin was one of 13 players named Monday to the USA Select Team, which will help the United States Olympic team in preparation for the 2012 London Olympics.

Lin had surgery on a torn left meniscus in early April and did not return to the court again during the 2011-12 season, missing all of the playoffs as the Knicks were ousted by the Miami Heat. He is a restricted free agent this summer and several within the organization believe Lin will remain with the Knicks next season, but Lin's agent cautioned that a return isn't given.

The full Select Team roster follows, courtesy of USABasketball.com:

Ryan Anderson (Orlando Magic / California)

DeJuan Blair (San Antonio Spurs / Pittsburgh)

DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings / Kentucky)

DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors / USC)

Derrick Favors (Utah Jazz / Georgia Tech)

Paul George (Indiana Pacers / Fresno State)

Taj Gibson (Chicago Bulls / USC)

Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz / Butler)

Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers / Duke)

Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs / San Diego State)

Jeremy Lin (New York Knicks / Harvard)

Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors / Washington State)

John Wall (Washington Wizards / Kentucky)

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Jeremy Lin Rumors: Agent Says Return To New York Knicks Not A Given

Mike Woodson believes Jeremy Lin will return to the New York Knicks next season after hitting free agency this summer. But Lin's agent isn't so sure.

Roger Montgomery told the New York Post it's not a given that his client will re-sign with the Knicks in free agency.

When asked if he expects the Knicks negotiation to be cut-and-dried, Montgomery forewarned: "I don't expect that. We're not anticipating that's going to happen. We don't have assurances of anything. I know history shows most restricted free agents go back to their team, but I'm not going to assume anything. We're waiting to see what happens.''

Because of Lin's status as a restricted free agent, the Knicks have the right to match any offer the point guard receives.

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Jeremy Lin Rumors: Point Guard Returning To New York Knicks? 'Absolutely,' Says Mike Woodson

Jeremy Lin will be a restricted free agent this summer, making it a possibility that he won't return to the New York Knicks. But if you trust Mike Woodson, Lin won't be anywhere but the Big Apple next season.

"Will he back next year? Absolutely," Woodson told reporters Thursday, as quoted by Howard Beck of the New York Times.

Oddly enough, Woodson might not be around to coach him. The perfectly-goateed coach denied a recent report saying he and the Knicks had started working on a contract extension, and rumors continue to link the Knicks with Phil Jackson and/or John Calipari.

The Knicks performed admirably under Woodson -- they finished the regular season on an 18-6 run and won their first playoff game in more than a decade -- but the front office could be looking for a bigger name to lead the Knicks next year.

For more on the Knicks, please be sure to check out our blog Posting and Toasting along with SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Jeremy Lin Injury Update: Why Isn't He Playing?

What is the deal with Jeremy Lin and his knee injury, anyway? We know the point guard won't dress for the New York Knicks Wednesday night against the Miami Heat, and that he likely won't play at all if the series is extended beyond Game 5. Lin said the fact that he isn't playing is "frustrating" and some are wondering what is going on with the point guard who inspired 'Linsanity.'

"Everyone plays to be a part of this team. Everyone puts a lot of effort into being part of this team. Anytime you can't be on the court with your teammates it's frustrating, having to watch for the last whatever, five, six weeks has been a tough process," Lin said. "I mean, just me working out, what was it - two days ago - I tried to take off, tried to plant, just go full speed at 100 percent. It just didn't feel right. It felt pain when I tried to take off. I thought it would go away over time."

Fairly or unfairly, Lin -- and the Knicks -- are facing scrutiny over the young phenom's recovery. From the New York Daily News:

One-hundred percent? Don't NBA coaches always say that no player is 100 percent healthy at this time of year? Everyone is playing with aches and pains. Amar'e Stoudemire is playing despite suffering a herniated disc in late March as well as a self-inflicted cut on his left hand.

Sure, every injury is different and every player has a different tolerance for pain. If Lin doesn't feel he can play hurt and play well, then he should shut it down.

But is that the only motivation? Lin has become a cash cow for the Knicks organization and perhaps the club is being overly protective of its investment. And yes, while Lin will be a free agent on July 1st I'm not buying the theory that he is worried about damaging his value. The Knicks can offer him the most money and as sure as they are selling No. 17 "Linsanity" t-shirts at the Garden Jeremy Lin will be re-signed.

And yet, there is no denying that the Knicks handling of Lin's injury from start to finish has been shrouded in mystery.

Is Lin really unable to play? Is he simply protecting his future as he is a free agent this offseason? Are the Knicks being overly cautious with a player the Daily News refers to as a "cash cow for the Knicks organization?"

We may never know the answer. All we know for sure is that Lin won't play in Game 5.

Jeremy Lin Injury Update: Knicks PG Not Likely For Game 4

Jeremy Lin still hasn't ruled out a return during the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, but his chances of suiting up are becoming slimmer.

Lin, out due to a knee injury since late March, said he didn't feel great after a recent workout with the Knicks and doesn't expect to play in Game 4 on Sunday. He has already been ruled out of Game 3.

"It doesn't look great,'' he said of his chances to play Game 4, according to the New York Post's Marc Berman.

Lin noted that he's more optimistic about Game 5, but Game 5 might never arrive. The Knicks are down 0-2 after being thoroughly outclassed during the first two games of the series, and they will be without star power forward Amare Stoudemire at least for Game 3.

For more on the Knicks, be sure to check out our blog Posting And Toasting along with SB Nation New York for all the news and updates.

Jeremy Lin Injury Update: 'Linsanity' To Return In Game 4 Vs. Heat?

Could 'Linsanity' make an appearance in the New York Knicks' opening-round NBA Playoff series against the Miami Heat? Jeremy Lin said Sunday after the Knicks' practice that he might be able to play in Game 4, which is Sunday, May.

"I think I'm gonna evaluate it at the end of the week and see," Lin said after the Knicks' practice on Sunday. "Hopefully I'll feel good by then ... the main thing is to be able to play without thinking about (the injury).

"I don't really want to make a promise because I just don't know how I'm gonna feel," said Lin, who has been out since March 24. "If I felt good today then that would be more of a possibility, but I didn't feel that great today."

The return of Lin would be a boost to the Knicks, who lost rookie guard Iman Shumpert to a torn meniscus in Game 1.

Knicks coach Mike Woodson said that if and when Lin returns he would play limited minutes. After a 33-point drubbing by Miami in Game 1, the question is can the Knicks get back into the series and make any return by Lin actually meaningful?

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Jeremy Lin Second In NBA Jersey Sales, Ahead Of Kobe Bryant And LeBron James

Jeremy Lin has been out of the New York Knicks' lineup since March 24 with a meniscal tear in his left knee. But in case anyone forgot about Linsanity, a quick glance at the NBA's leading jersey sales provides a reminder.

Since April of 2011, Lin's jersey has sold more than anyone else's with the exception of Derrick Rose. Although Lin's gear was not even found in stores until he blew up overnight in February, he has sold more jerseys in the past calendar year than LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and anyone else who wasn't the 2011 NBA MVP.

Lin was present at the Knicks practice on Wednesday to participate in some "light jogging" and "slow-paced basketball moves," according to ESPN New York. He wore a brace on his surgically-repaired knee and coach Mike Woodson said the best-case scenario is that Lin returns in time for the conference semifinals.

Carmelo Anthony was fifth on the list, behind only Rose, Lin, Bryant and James. View the top 15 NBA jersey sellers here.

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Jeremy Lin Named Finalist For NBA Sportsmanship Award

Jeremy Lin isn't just about reviving basketball in the Big Apple, regressing back to the mean and suffering cruel injuries that threaten to end his first season with the New York Knicks prematurely. He's also a role model of sportsmanship.

The New York Post reported Friday that Lin -- along with Cleveland Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison, Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd, Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, Miami Heat forward Shane Battier and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Luke Ridnour -- has been named a finalist for the NBA Sportsmanship Award. The winner will be chosen after a vote by NBA players and announced after the regular season.

The award is designed to honor the player who displays the most sportsmanship on the court. Lin was named the Atlantic Division's finalist for the award after the way he remained humble even while a nation of sports fans erupted in Linsanity around him. The guard, out since March 24 due to injury, emerged from the Knicks bench to become one of the sports world's biggest surprises.

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Jeremy Lin Injury Update: Return 'Won't Be Anytime Soon'

Jeremy Lin will play basketball again, but will it be for the New York Knicks?

Lin’s return to the New York Knicks “won’t be anytime soon,” according to interim coach Mike Woodson.

Woodson said that Lin would return “somewhere down the road.” Lin had surgery April 2 for a torn meniscus and is not expected back this season unless the Knicks advance to at least the second round of the NBA playoffs.

Lin will be a free agent at the end of the current season. If the Knicks don’t make it deep enough into the playoffs for Lin to return, could "Linsanity" be moving on to a different NBA city?

It is hard to imagine the Knicks letting Lin go. It is also difficult, however, to gauge what kind of contract Lin might desire after his short run in the spotlight, or that the Knicks might be willing to offer.

Lin averaged 14.6 points and 6.1 assists for the Knicks in 35 games.

Jeremy Lin Injury: Knicks Deny Withholding Information On Lin Injury To Sell Playoff Tickets

The New York Knicks, through parent company MSG, have released a statement denying the allegations in the New York Daily News that the team withheld information about Jeremy Lin's injury in an attempt to sell playoff tickets.

Here is the statement released by MSG:

"Today's Daily News story is completely inaccurate, and serves only as another example of fabricated reporting by (the Daily News). The suggestion that the timing of Jeremy Lin's injury report is in any way connected to a longstanding Knicks playoff ticket deadline is a malicious attack on The Madison Square Garden Company. Jeremy Lin decided on Saturday to have surgery now in hopes that he would be able to return in time for, or at least during, the playoffs. The Knicks have sold out 61 games in a row, including last season's playoffs, and as standard practice we provided season ticket holders a first opportunity benefit to reserve playoff tickets before going on sale to the general public." (via USA Today)

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Jeremy Lin Injury Withheld By New York Knicks So They Could Sell More Tickets, According To Report

Jeremy Lin Injury Update: Lin Could Be Back Sooner Than Expected

Just when it appeared Jeremy Lin was lost to the New York Knicks for the rest of the regular season and perhaps beyond with a torn meniscus in his knee there appears to be hope. Does 'Linsanity' include magical fast-healing ability?

The timetable originally given was six weeks after surgery, putting the new star out until around the middle of May and presumably the second round of the NBA playoffs.

However, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Lin might be able to return within two weeks if everything goes perfectly.

Berman spoke with Dr. Wellington Hsu, an orthopedic surgeon who feels Lin could be back before the regular season ends.

"If they don’t see anything else wrong in surgery, just see the tear, typically you can get back in the NFL in two to four weeks and I’ve seen NBA players get back within that period,’’ Hsu told The Post. "That’s assuming there are no surprises.’’

This would obviously be a huge break for the Knicks who are already missing Amare Stoudemire for an extended period due to his back ailment.

New York leads the Milwaukee Bucks for the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference by just 2 1/2 games with 13 contests remaining.

For more on the Knicks, be sure to check out our blog Posting And Toasting along with SB Nation New York for all the news and updates.

Jeremy Lin Injury Update: Knicks Point Guard Out Six Weeks With Small Meniscal Tear

According to Howard Beck of the New York Times, New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin is out six weeks with a small tear in his knee.

Jeremy Lin is out 6 weeks w/small,chronic meniscal tear in knee, team says

— Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) March 31, 2012

Knicks head coach, Mike Woodson, said "It's a big blow", referring to the loss of Lin, who's reportedly headed for arthroscopic knee surgery.

Lin had missed the previous three games for the Knicks with what was being called a "sore knee". The Knicks went 2-1 in those games, but lost by 10 to the Hawks on Friday.

"Linsanity" has died down quite a bit since his inception, but this is still a huge loss for the Knicks, who are fighting to fend off the Milwaukee Bucks for the last spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Lin is averaging 14.6 points and 6.1 assists per game. The Knicks are also without the services of Amare Stoudemire and Jared Jeffries for at least the next couple of weeks.

-- For more on the Knicks, be sure to check out our blog Posting and Toasting along with SB Nation New York for all the latest updates and news.

Jeremy Lin Injury Update: Point Guard OUT Against Hawks

According to Alan Hahn of the MSG Network, Jeremy Lin is out for Friday's game against the Hawks.

RT @NYPost_Berman: Jeremy is out.

— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) March 30, 2012

Lin has missed the last two games with a sore left knee – both Knicks' wins. They have won three straight games and eight of their last nine since head coach, Mike D'Antoni's, resignation.

Iman Shumpert and Baron Davis were the Knicks' staring guards in their recent smashing of the Orlando Magic. Shumpert responded with a career-high 25 points in his second consecutive start due to injures to Lin, along with A'mare Stoudemire. Davis finished the game with 11 points (on seven shots), adding seven rebounds and six assists, while turning the ball over twice.

Linsanity has tempted considerably since its inception, as has Lin's play, but he's remained adequate, averaging over 14 points and six assists over his last 10 games. On the downside, he's shooting 41 percent and turning the ball over four times per game.

For more on the Knicks, be sure to check out our blog Posting and Toasting along with SB Nation New York for all the latest updates and news.

Jeremy Lin Injury Update: Lin Questionable For Wednesday With Sore Knee

Jeremy Lin couldn't play in Monday night's 89-80 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks due to a sore knee. Now, he's questionable once again for Wednesday's game against the Orlando Magic, according to ESPN.com.

Lin was missed even in the win a few days ago, with Baron Davis not being able to jump start the offense in a similar fashion. However, Lin knows it's important not to rush back.

"I just want to make sure when I come back that I'm 100 percent," Lin said.

With just a two game lead on ninth-place Milwaukee and only three games behind Philadelphia for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, every game is crucial for the New York Knicks. Lin's return coupled with Carmelo Anthony being able to play tonight would obviously be a huge boon for New York's chances of winning.

The Knicks need to step up and hope Lin can get back on the court sooner rather than later with Dwight Howard and co. coming to Madison Square Garden.

For more on the Knicks, be sure to check out our blog Posting and Toasting along with SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Jeremy Lin Injury Update: Knee Injury Sidelines Linsanity Against Bucks

New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin will not be playing on Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Lin is out tonight (knee). Baron starting. Shumpert also starting, with Fields at the 3. #knicks

— Mark Hale (@HaleMark) March 26, 2012

Lin will join forward Amar'e Stoudemire and backup center Jared Jeffries as being out with injuries for tonight's game. Lin's right knee is sore and he is listed as day-to-day. Stoudemire is out indefinitely while he undergoes non-surgical treatment of a bulging disc in his back. Lin did take part in Monday's workout after sitting out the fourth quarter of New York's win over Detroit on Saturday.

Lin leads the Knicks with 6.1 assists per game this season. Lin is also third on the Knicks in scoring with 14.6 points per game and second on the team in steals (1.57 steals per game).

-- To follow the Knicks throughout the season, follow SB Nation New York's StoryStream.

Linsanity Rises In Knicks' Victory Over Philadelphia 76ers

Linsanity made a full-blown re-appearance in the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's New York Knicks-Philadelphia 76ers game, and it was just in time for the Knicks. In a tightly contested, critical game against Atlantic Division leading Philadelphia it was Jeremy Lin, not Carmelo Anthony or Amar'e Stoudemire, who led the Knicks to an 82-79 victory,

Lin entered the final quarter having scored just two points on 1-for-11 shooting. He poured in 16 fourth-quarter points, however, to end the night with 18 points as New York won its fifth straight game since Mike Woodson took over as head coach following the resignation of Mike D'Antoni.

Lin's role has been the subject of scrutiny since Woodson took over, as the new coach wants more offense from Anthony and Stoudemire and generally less scoring from Lin. Wednesday night, though, the young point guard showed once again that when the pressure is on he is more than willing to step into the limelight and lead, even with highly-paid superstars around him.

The victory moved the Knicks (23-24) within three games of the 76ers in the Atlantic Division. The Knicks currently own the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot, one game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Wednesday night Lin made it obvious that he will be a critical part of the team's charge toward the NBA playoffs.

Linsanity Lives! Jeremy Lin Doing Just Fine For Mike Woodson

When Mike Woodson took over for Mike D'Antoni as head coach of the New York Knicks there was an assumption that not only was Linsanity! dead, but that Jeremy Lin might be on borrowed time as an important player for the Knicks.

Well, not so fast.

Lin's 18-point, 10-assist, three-turnover effort Tuesday night in the Knicks' 106-87 rout of the Toronto Raptors was the latest in a string of solid performances for the Knicks' young point guard. In the four games since Woodson became head coach -- all victories -- Lin has averaged 14 points, 6.75 assists and 3.5 turnovers. He has had just one game with more than three turnovers.

Lin is orchestrating, getting the ball to the right people in the right places and not forcing the ball down the lane as often as he did under D'Antoni. This is the way a point guard with so many top-flight scoring options around him should play, and the way no one was certain Lin could play.

The Linsanity! phase might -- mostly -- be over for the Knicks. Lin, though, is making it obvious that he will remain important. Veteran Baron Davis is out with a hamstring injury, again showing that he can't be counted on to stay healthy. MIke Bibby is loooooong past his days as a quality NBA player. Toney Douglas is not a point guard, and is buried deep on the Knicks' bench.

So, it might not be Linsanity, but the growth of Jeremy Lin into a quality NBA point guard is in full swing.

[HD] The Jeremy Lin Show vs Toronto Raptors || 18pts 10 assists 4 rebs || 03.20.2012 (via TrollsInParis)

The End of Linsanity? Perhaps, But Not So Fast

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Linsanity Gets Bob Cousy Stamp Of Approval

You want an opinion on point guard play in the NBA? There is no better place to get one than from legendary Boston Celtics point guard Bob Cousy, one of the best to ever play. And now Cousy has put his stamp of approval on Jeremy Lin, the New York Knicks point guard who rose from obscurity to cult hero status seemingly overnight.

"For two weeks, every time I went by somebody down here they were talking about him, and I’d tell them the hoopla was probably overdone, that it’s not unusual for this to happen with a young player who catches the league by surprise. But I got a completely different sense from watching Jeremy play. Now I’m telling people he’ll definitely find a niche in the realm of good-to-great point guards in this league.

“Lin sees the floor extremely well and has good size for a point guard. He seems smart, not just because he went to Harvard, but in the way he plays. Just based on what I saw against Dallas, it’s hard for me to believe [Golden State and Houston] cut him. It’s hard to criticize without being there, but point guards who can run the show in the NBA are in such demand.”

When it comes to point guard play you can’t get praise from a much higher source than that.

Floyd Mayweather Stands Firm On Jeremy Lin Stance

Jeremy Lin Rookie Card Sells For $22K

Every day now seems to provide proof that Jeremy Lin is no longer just a basketball player, but a blossoming international icon.

After a seven-day EBay auction ended Thursday, a Lin rookie card sold for $21,580, resulting in a profit of $20,580 for a 29-year old Knicks season-ticket holder with a good sense of investment.

Yair Rozmaryn, a New York native, originally bought the card on Feb. 8, two days after Lin's first start. What might have looked like a crazy investment at the time -- "I took a calculated risk," Rozmaryn told Bloomberg -- quickly proved visionary as Linsanity swept the Big Apple (and the universe), netting Rozmaryn a huge profit in just two weeks time.

The moral of the story: Linvest wisely, folks.

For more on Jeremy Lin and the Knicks, check out the latest in this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For more Knicks coverage, visit our team page or our blog Posting and Toasting.

The Night That Linsanity Died?

Jeremy Lin's New Apartment Comes With Celebrity Discount

No more sleeping on his brother's couch.

New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin -- who had been staying with his brother prior to morphing into a tornado that ravages opposing teams, because he thought the Knicks might cut him -- agreed to rent a condo on the 38th floor at the W New York Downtown Hotel. The furnished two-bedroom apartment has a view of the Statue of Liberty, which is probably considered Lin's property as well since he is rapidly seizing ownership of all of New York City, not to mention the universe.

The son of hotel developer Joseph Moinian said Lin received a celebrity discount on his new pad, which normally costs $13,000 per month, but did not reveal exactly how much Lin's new fame saved him on the purchase.

"We were trying to accommodate him," he said. "We want to help him as much as possible with his new life."

Translated: We gave Mr. Lin a great deal because the publicity will help us tenfold.

In case you were wondering, the 1,182-square foot condo is in the process of being sold to a real estate investor for $2.3 million.

Perhaps this is airing out old grievances, but I bet Isiah Thomas would have offered $50 million.

For more on Jeremy Lin and the Knicks, check out the latest in this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For more Knicks coverage, visit our team page or our blog Posting and Toasting.

Linsanity! Sneakers, Videos, Dolls For Daily Dose Of Jeremy Lin

Fired ESPN Editor Apologizes For Offensive Jeremy Lin Headline

The ESPN editor who was fired for making an offensive headline about Jeremy Lin has apologized for his actions.

Anthony Federico, whose headline "Chink In The Armor" caused waves of commotion after Lin experienced his first loss as a starter, used Twitter to express his apologies to Lin and anyone who was offended by the ill-advised pun, but stressed that he had no racial intentions when publishing the headline.

"I wrote the headline in reference to the tone of the column and not to Jeremy Lin's race. It was a lapse in judgment and not a racist pun. It was an awful editorial omission and it cost me my job," wrote Federico.

"I owe an apology to Jeremy Lin and all people offended. I am truly sorry."

Federico listed a number of charitable things he has done, writing that his words "may have hurt people in that moment but my actions have always helped people."

"It is also crucial that people know that the writer of the column had nothing to do with the headline. I wrote it and now I take responsibility for it.

"I am actually a Knicks fan and an ardent supporter of Jeremy Lin. Not surprisingly, he has handled the entire situation with grace and class.

"Now I have to find a new job and move on with my life.

"My solace in this is that ‘all things work together for good for those who love the Lord.' I praise God equally in the good times and the bad times," Federico concluded.

For more on Jeremy Lin and the Knicks, check out the latest in this SB Nation New York StoryStream. For more Knicks coverage, visit our team page or our blog Posting and Toasting.

Jeremy Lin Speaks... To Kris Humphries?

This is perhaps a little late, but hey -- Linsanity hasn't totally worn off, has it?

Following Monday night's 100-92 loss to the New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin tracked down Nets power forward Kris Humphries to offer a few kind words of encouragement. Humphries, you may remember, was briefly married to reality TV star Kim Kardashian and his reputation still suffers to this day in the eyes of those not quite enchanted with celebrity marriages.

Earlier Tuesday on ESPN Radio's "The Scott Van Pelt Show," Humphries recalled how Lin found him in the tunnel outside the locker room for a quick chat.

"He's a really nice guy," said Humphries, who met Lin at an autograph signing in Los Angeles at the All-Star Game last year. "He just said, 'Hey, I don't know why they boo you, but I think it's crap, and you're playing really well.' That was nice of him to say. He's a really nice guy. ... It's nice to see great things happen for nice people."

Well, there you have it. Lin's a nice guy, aside from a surprisingly adept point guard. Hopefully that does it for your daily dose of Linsanity.

Linsanity! Your Daily Dose Of Jeremy Lin: Video, Saturday Night Live, Musical Tributes, Jersey Sales

ESPN Fires Writer For Offensive Headline About Jeremy Lin, Suspends Anchor For 30 Days

Knicks Vs. Mavericks Final Score: Jeremy Lin's 28 Points Help New York Beat Dallas, 104-97

Jeremy Lin netted 16 of his team-best 28 points in the second half, including a huge 3-pointer with 2:57 remaining in the game Sunday, to help the New York Knicks down the NBA's defending champions, the Dallas Mavericks, 104-97 at Madison Square Garden Sunday afternoon.

Lin dished out a game-best and career-high 14 assists and paired with 3-point sharpshooter, Steve Novak, to combine to shoot 7-for-11 from behind the 3-point arc (Lin 3-for-6) and help the Knicks earn their eighth victory in nine games. The Knicks (16-16) are now 7-1 with Lin as the starting point guard and have reached the .500 mark for the first time since Jan. 7.

Newly acquired forward J.R. Smith played 30 minutes and tallied nine of his 15 points in the first quarter, while Novak tallied all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter. Tyson Chandler added 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, while veteran point guard Baron Davis suited up but did not play.

The Mavs' Dirk Nowitzki ended the game with 34 points, but again, the story was Lin, who made big play after big play, including this steal and dunk in the third quarter.

Lin and the Knicks are at it again Monday, as they host the New Jersey Nets (7:30 p.m. on MSG).

For more on the Knicks and Jeremy Lin, check out this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

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MSG, Time Warner Cable Dispute Finally Resolved: Another Jeremy Lin Assist

Jeremy Lin may not be able to wave his wand and make unicorns appear out of mid-air like it sometimes seems, but he certainly had a part in ending the MSG-Time Warner Cable dispute.

The two major cable companies -- whose standoff kept the Knicks games (and all other MSG programming) from being televised in Time Warner's New York market -- agreed to end their long stalemate on Friday, and a deal is expected to be completed in time for Friday's Knicks game against the New Orleans Hornets.

It's unclear exactly what percentage of the credit should be given to Lin, the out-of-nowhere success who has spurred seven straight Knicks wins. But Mike Bair, head of MSG media, admitted to WFAN's Mike Francesa that Lin's magical run pressured the two sides to reopen negotiations.

"There was a conversation, a face- to-face meeting this week," Bair said. "I think right now, because of the Lin story, because of the performance of the team, and because of what we've seen in the ratings, now is the time to do a deal. But we have to have a dialog to be productive." (via the New York Post)

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The New York Week That Was (Jeremy Lin Edition)

2012 Rising Stars Challenge: Jeremy Lin, Landry Fields On Team Shaq, MarShon Brooks Selected For Team Chuck

The rosters for the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge were drafted by general managers Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley Thursday night on TNT.

New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin (who was a late add to the pool of players) and his teammate Landry Fields were picked by Shaquille O'Neal. New Jersey Nets guard MarShon Brooks was selected by Charles Barkley.

Here is the team Charles Barkley drafted:

John Wall
Kyrie Irving
DeMarcus Cousins
Paul George
Derrick Williams
Marshon Brooks
Gordon Hayward
Tiago Splitter
Kawhi Leonard
Evan Turner

Here is the team Shaquille O'Neal drafted:

Blake Griffin
Jeremy Lin
Ricky Rubio
Greg Monroe
Markieff Morris
Kemba Walker
Landry Fields
Norris Cole
Brandon Knight
Tristan Thompson

The Rising Stars Challenge will be played on Feb. 24 at the Amway Center at 9 p.m. The game will be televised on TNT.

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Jeremy Lin On Coexisting With Carmelo Anthony: 'He Was The One Who Vouched For Me In The First Place'

NBA All Star Game 2012: Jeremy Lin To Assist Iman Shumpert In Dunk Contest

Linsanity has found its way to the 2012 NBA All-Star weekend.

Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin will "assist" teammate Iman Shumpert when the rookie participates in the dunk contest, according to a report on ESPN. In 2011, Blake Griffin of the Clippers enlisted teammate Baron Davis to help facilitate some of his dunks, and went on to win the contest in front of his home-city crowd at the Staples Center. Shumpert will compete against Paul George of the Pacers, Chase Budinger of the Rockets, and Derrick Williams of the Timberwolves.

The report also states that Lin is expected to be made a part of the Haier Shooting Stars competition scheduled for next Saturday night in Orlando, although Commissioner David Stern has indicated that Lin will not be added to the roster for the Rising Stars game.

With Lin in the starting lineup, New York has won six straight games, during which he has averaged 24.3 points and 9.5 assists per game.

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Knicks Vs. Kings Final Score: Jeremy Lin Does Not Disappoint In 100-85 Win At The Garden

Jeremy Lin could hardly duplicate his game-winning heroics from Tuesday night in a return to the Garden to start a five-game home stand. Nevertheless, Lin did not disappoint in his hero's welcome on Wednesday as the confident New York Knicks dispatched the visiting Sacramento Kings by a final score of 100-85 for their seventh consecutive victory.

Setting aside the catchy names, round-the-clock coverage and a nation that has yet to have their fill of sports' latest Horatio Alger tale, Lin and the Knicks built up a 77-55 lead over the Kings after three periods of play. In cruise control for the final frame, they allowed the Kings to score 30 to their 23. Is was hardly enough.

Landry Fields led the Knicks with 15 points and a team-best 10 rebounds. He was one of five New York players to score in double figures.

Still, the night belonged to Lin, who showed no visible signs of strain from a packed house that nearly brought down the roof multiple times with a cannonade of adoration. Lin had 13 assists to go with 10 points and five rebounds. The Kings, by comparison, had a total of 15 assists through the entire game. The Knicks' dominance was enough that Lin rested on the bench for much of the second half, staying fresh for tougher matchups in the week ahead, including games against Atlanta, Dallas and Miami.

The win moves the Knicks to an even 15-15, one game behind Boston in the Atlantic and five games back from Philadelphia, who the Knicks will not see until March 11.

Linsanity continues on Friday when the Knicks host New Orleans.

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Jeremy Lin's Success Not A Shock To His College Coach

Syracuse's Jim Boeheim Goes Lin-sane On Jeremy Lin, Carmelo Anthony, Knicks

Jeremy Lin-derella And The NBA's Black Swan Theory

Call him Lin-derella if you want but the Knicks new point guard may be the NBA's Avant-garde ...Or not. Either way, similar to Tom Brady or Kurt Warner's meteoric rises in the NFL, Jeremy Lin has changed the fortunes of the Knicks franchise and may be here to stay.

Jeremy Lin Delivers Big Ratings For MSG Network, Despite Ongoing Time Warner Dispute

VIDEO: Jeremy Lin's Buzzer-Beater Against Toronto Raptors Gives New York Knicks 6th Straight Win

The legend of Jeremy Lin grew exponentially on Tuesday night. After Iman Shumpert missed a 17-footer that would have put the New York Knicks up two points with 21 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Tyson Chandler hauled in the rebound and kicked the ball out Shumpert who gave the ball back to Lin at midcourt. Lin held the ball until there were under six seconds remaining on the clock, dribbled up to the 3-point line, and calmly nailed the game-winner in front of a sagging Jose Calderon with .5 seconds left.

(Via HeIsLinsane).

Lin scored the final six points of the game for the Knicks. A minute before his last-second heroics, he was fouled by Amir Johnson on a hard drive to the basket. Lin got the bucket and the free throw to tie the game. He finished with 27 points and 11 assists. More importantly, he helped the Knicks to their sixth straight win.

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Knicks Vs. Raptors Final Score: Jeremy Lin Nails Game-Winner, Knicks Win 90-87

Jeremy Lin hit a 3-pointer with .05 left Tuesday night to give the New York Knicks a 90-87 victory over the Toronto Raptors. The Knicks were down 11 points heading into the fourth quarter of Monday night's game against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. You can watch the Linsanity here.

Lin scored the final six points of the game, none bigger than the last three. Iman Shumpert missed a 17-footer with 21 seconds left in the game, but Tyson Chandler corralled the rebound giving the Knicks a chance at the final shot of the game. Lin took control of the ball just in front of midcourt, dribbling the clock down from about eight seconds. He spotted up in front of a sagging Jose Calderon and drained the three.

Shumpert may have made one of the biggest plays of the game just before Lin's late-game run. With the Raptors up five, he stripped Calderon and took the ball down the court for an easy two. Despite Calderon's late gaffes, he actually out-dueled Lin for much of the night, scoring 25 on 11-for-17 shooting in addition to his nine assists. Lin finished with 27, going 9-for-20 from the field to get there. He had 11 assists, along with eight turnovers.

Amar'e Stoudemire had 21 points and nine rebounds for New York.

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Jeremy Lin Subletting At Ex-Knick David Lee's Apartment

Carmelo Anthony: Jeremy Lin 'A Dream Come True To Me'

If you expected Carmelo Anthony to joust with Jeremy Lin for New York Knicks supremacy, you'd be wrong, at least for the time being.

Anthony, who has missed every game of New York's Linning streak, said he's content with allowing Lin to be New York's primary ball handler while he returns to the role he knows best -- score, score score. (via ESPN)

"When I get back Jeremy will have the ball in his hands and I'm playing off of that," Anthony said on Monday.

There has been some speculation that Anthony and Lin will have trouble sharing the same ball. Some of the speculation makes sense: Lin and Anthony are fourth and fifth in the NBA, respectively, in usage rate, a stat that measures how often a player finishes his team's possessions. They both like the ball in their hands.

Anthony hears the questions, but he's not worried.

"When I'm reading the stuff, it's more funny than anything because at the end of the day I know what I bring to the game, I know what I bring to this team," Anthony said on Monday after missing practice due to a strained right groin. "My teammates know that. But to say, 'How can I fit in?' It's easy; give him the ball and space out. I get back to doing what I know how to do best. So we'll see."

"I know there's questions about, 'Can I fit in?' and stuff like that, but this is like a dream come true to me," Anthony said. "It takes some pressure off of me. I don't have to play point guard. I don't have to try to get Amare 20 points, try to get this guy 20 points, me try to go out there and get 25-30 points a night, play defense, rebound do the whole thing."

"I don't think I want to take that away, I don't think Coach wants to take that away," Anthony said. "But at the same time, I have to get away from the ball knowing that Jeremy is the guy with the basketball, and knowing that he can create for me, for Amare, for everybody else and make other guys better."

We have reached the point where Carmelo Anthony is now discussing how he'll fit in with Jeremy Lin. It's a Lin-sane world we live in, indeed.

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Jeremy Lin On The Cover Of Sports Illustrated

Jeremy Lin Named Eastern Conference Player Of The Week

From relative unknown to the Eastern Conference's top performer in just one week.

Jeremy Lin's heavenly seven days were recognized by the NBA on Monday when the Knicks point guard was named the Eastern Conference's Player of the Week.

Lin averaged 27.3 points and 8.3 assists to lead New York to a 4-0 record, all in the first four starts of his NBA career. He scored 38 points and added seven assists during a victory Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers, tallied 23 points and 10 assists in a win Wednesday against the Washington Wizards, and drilled the game-winning free throw while contributing 20 points, eight assists and six rebounds Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The incredible performances -- which came after New York seriously considered releasing the Harvard grad -- spawned a national Lin-fest, a phenomenon that has already resulted in approximately 75 million Lin features and this awesome website, among much else.

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Jeremy Lin: SI.com Has Gone Lin-sane

Behind 20 points from point guard Jeremy Line, who knocked down the game-winning free throw in the closing moments, the New York Knicks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 100-98, in a inter-conference contest Saturday. The win marked the fourth straight for New York, which hasn't lost since Lin entered the starting lineup, and has started a nationwide frenzy over the Asian-American phenom.

Over at SI.com's NBA page there is four columns written about Lin, the Harvard University grade from Palo Alto, CA. Here's a brief look at the features on Jeremy Lin.

As Linsanity grows, Jeremy Lin gets praise from Steve Nash and calls from David Letterman - Sam Amick - SI.com

"As Steve Nash sees it, Jeremy Lin's incredible path from the bench to breakout star is a good, old-fashioned sports story: an underdog athlete playing well, sparking excitement and leading a struggling franchise to victories. It's not, as some have surmised, a story of Nash's old coach, the Knicks' Mike D'Antoni, finally finding a Nash-esque point guard to plug into an offensive system that is making this mania happen."

Jeremy Lin drops 38 to help the Knicks take down Kobe Bryant, Lakers - Chris Mannix - SI.com

"For all of their star power, for all of their wealth, the man who may save the Knicks' season earns the NBA minimum, sleeps on his brother's couch and less than a month ago wore a uniform with "Erie" across the chest."

Can Knicks guard Jeremy Lin add to his legend in New York? - Phil Taylor - SI.com

"I missed on Jeremy Lin, too. And like the front offices and coaching staffs of the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, I'm kicking myself for not realizing what was right under my nose."

Cut by Warriors, Rockets led Jeremy Lin to success with Knicks - Sam Amick - SI.com

"Linsanity," as his growing legion of fans from all over the world are calling it, had been sparked by Lin's unexpectedly exciting play. The driving and dishing of an NBA castoff has led to three straight wins for a Knicks team badly in need of a positive vibe and good point guard play."

For more on the Knicks, check out Posting And Toasting, and for more on the Lakers go to Silver Screen And Roll.

Linsanity: Jeremy Lin Offered Free New York Apartment

Jason Whitlock Mocks Jeremy Lin, Embarrasses Himself

Linsanity: Victor Cruz? Old News -- The World Belongs To Jeremy Lin

Knicks 107, Wizards 93: New York Wins Third Straight Behind Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin, where you have been all season?

The second-year point guard sensation notched the first double-double of his career Wednesday night as the New York Knicks (11-15) won their third straight in a 107-93 win against the Washington Wizards (5-21) at the Verizon Center. Lin finished with 23 points and 10 assists in his second game since being inserted into the starting lineup. Tyson Chandler led New York with 25 points (two shy of his career-high) and 11 rebounds, two nights after being limited to just 22 minutes of playing time and 10 points due to foul trouble.

The Knicks started slow in being outscored 23-17 in the first quarter, but scored 35 points in the second to lead 52-46 at halftime. With the Knicks once again without Carmelo Anthony (groin) and Amar'e Stoudemire (death in the family), Lin was efficient (9-for-14 shooting from the field, 5-for-6 from the free throw line) and played a critical role in distributing the ball (New York had just eight turnovers compared to Washington's 12).

Steve Novak also continued his string of breakout performances, scoring 19 points for the second consecutive night on 6-for-10 shooting from the field and 5-for-9 from 3-point range.

For Washington, John Wall almost hit 30 points for the second straight night. Wall finished with 29 points and six assists, while Trevor Booker finished with 17 points. No other Wizard scored more than nine points, due in large part to foul trouble limiting JaVale McGee (eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks) and Nick Young (seven points and four rebounds).

Friday night, the Knicks will go for four straight wins against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. The Lakers travel to Boston Thursday night, which could bode well for the Knicks as the latter end of back-to-back games has been a persistent issue for teams in this shortened season.

Knicks 99, Jazz 88: The Jeremy Lin Show Continues As Knicks Win Second Straight

He couldn’t do it again, could he? Actually, Jeremy Lin one-upped himself.

A new Madison Square Garden star has been born over the past two Knicks games, and it’s a diminutive second-year point guard from Harvard. After catapulting the Knicks to a crucial win on Saturday with 25 points, Jeremy Lin led a severely shorthanded New York team to a 99-88 win over the Utah Jazz (13-10) on Monday, notching a career high 28 points and 8 assists. The Knicks have been clamoring for competent point guard play, and at the moment they’ve found their new starter in the least likely of places.

The Knicks (10-15) came into the game shorthanded, and six minutes in they found themselves decimated. Amare Stoudemire was at home in Florida after the tragic passing this morning of his older brother Hazell, and Carmelo Anthony strained his groin halfway through the first quarter. Lin, who earned his first career start, suddenly found himself having to run the offense without a safety net.

With their main offensive weapons missing, the Knicks’ defense had to be good and it certainly was in the first half. The Knicks had nine steals before halftime, which helped launch them to a 13-point advantage at the half. A main component of that was the Knicks’ bench, led by Steve Novak who hit five 3-pointers in the game for a season-high 19 points. The third quarter saw the Jazz get back into the game, setting up a fourth quarter that the Knicks easily could have given away. With Tyson Chandler in foul trouble and their thin bench being severely stretched out. But that’s when Lin again took over the game as he did on Saturday. A clearly confident Lin hit a huge three-pointer with the shot clock expiring to put the Knicks up 95-96, essentially icing the game.

Aside from Lin and Novak, the Knicks also got some under-the-radar good performances from others. Jared Jeffries finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds and also took five charges. In his post-game press conference, Mike D’Antoni staunchly defended Jeffries, saying that fans who boo him "need to re-examine a few things in their life". Jeffries surely is one of the Knicks’ best glue guys, and he has played a huge role in their past two wins.

Despite being in foul trouble, it’s pretty incredible when you realize the effect Chandler had on the game. In just 22 minutes, he led the Knicks with a +18 rating, finishing with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals.

The Knicks now have a legitimate chance at winning three straight, as they visit the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. Will the Linsanity continue?

Knicks 99, Nets 92: Jeremy Lin Sparks Big New York Win

When the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets got things started at Madison Square Garden, no one could have guessed who the hero would have been. Instead of Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoundemire or Deron Williams, it was little-used guard Jeremy Lin that owned the World's Most Famous Arena as the Knicks downed the Nets, 99-92.

The Harvard graduate came into action on Friday with a career average of 2.8 points per game, but he led all scorers Saturday night with a career-high 25, including some nifty baskets in the paint that brought the Garden faithful to their feet for most of the night. With just over two minutes remaining and the Knicks up six, Lin split defenders Deron Williams and Kris Humphris, drove for a three point play and shared a bow with Anthony.

The Nets were led by Williams' 21 points and 11 assists, though shockingly he couldn't keep up with Lin down the stretch. Kris Humphries added 20 points and 12 rebounds while Jordan Farmar poured in 19 off the bench. A Nets reserve had a career-high as well Saturday, with rookie Jordan Williams scoring 10 points in 26 minutes.

Lin hit on 10-of-19 shots from the field, handed out seven assists and grabbed five rebounds. Arguably more important than any of those numbers was his ball security, as the point guard had just one turnover in 35 minutes of action.

After being released by the Golden State Warriors in December and spending some time with the Houston Rockets, Lin has now turned in the game of his life and if the chanting of "Jer-e-my" by the Garden crowd is any indication, will be a fan favorite going forward.

Keeping things simple after his performance, Lin broke down how the Knicks came out on top.

"We play hard, we play together and we're just thankful to get out of here with a win."

New York has now taken five games in a row from New Jersey.

The Knicks will try to keep up their momentum when they welcome the Utah Jazz on Monday night. The Nets will return home to take on the Chicago Bulls Monday.

Jeremy Lin Claimed By New York Knicks To Fill Guard Role

It didn't take long for the New York Knicks to address their pressing need for a guard, as Tuesday New York claimed Jeremy Lin off waivers. Lin, who had recently been released by the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, respectively, will try and fill the void of backup shooting guard Iman Shumpert, who suffered a sprained MCL during New York's 106-104 victory over the Boston Celtics is expected to miss 2-4 weeks.

The Knicks (1-0) are also waiting for the return of veteran guards Mike Bibby and Baron Davis, who each missed the season-opener with back injuries. Davis is expected to miss a large portion of the shortened 66-game regular season.

Last season, the Harvard graduate, Lin, played in 29 games, averaged 9.8 minutes and just 2.6 points in his first NBA season with the Warriors.

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