Lets just call this a fun and memorable week of basketball, courtesy of the emergence of Jeremy Lin. In a season with strong, established story lines, this 23-year-old kid has somehow played himself into the discussion with a body of work that has lasted just over a week. At Real Sports downtown Friday night, Raptors fans fresh off a win over the Celtics, crammed into the already-filled bar to catch the second half of the Knicks-Lakers tilt. It was on the monster big screen, and on every other monitor in the joint, each basket Lin made drew a raucous cheer, particularly in money time. It was surreal. As it was happening, people were looking at each other with that same, stunned and thrilled combo look: What are we watching here? By the time it was all said and done, Lin poured in a game-high 38 points, with seven assists, and more importantly, led the Knicks to their fourth straight win, outduelling one of the classic mano-a-mano performers in Kobe Bryant. Like my friend Guy posted on Facebook: If jeremy lin got on his knee and Tebowed, the world would explode. You can see why the Tebow and Lin comparisons are offered, but the only true similarity is that they both found nearly immediate and jarring success. Tim Tebow was a Heisman Trophy winner, the most celebrated quarterback in Florida Gators history, and dominated the toughest conference in NCAA football. His resume was tight, and he parlayed that into becoming a late first round pick by the Broncos. Lin played at academic powerhouse Harvard, hauled in a 3.1 GPA in economics, while putting up 16 points, 4.5 boards and 4.3 assists on 52 per cent shooting in his final year. If you can do that in the NBA, thats legit. Doing it in the Ivy League? Thats about as pedestrian as it gets. Despite winning the conference crown - the first in school history - the team failed to earn an NCAA tourney berth, instead going to the NIT. He went undrafted and was inked as a free agent by the Golden State Warriors. He has had stints with no less than four NBDL teams, and was waived by both the Warriors and the Rockets this year, before finding his way onto the Knicks roster. And even then, it took a near perfect storm for Lindemonium to take off. Thank Baron Davis for being injured. Thank the rest of the Knicks backcourt for being so awful. Thank Mike DAntoni for having no other option than to give the guy a look. Thank New York Knicks fans desperate for someone, anyone, to grab the team and run with it. Thank New York for making everything larger than life, and covering him like a state primary. And thank an unspectacular stretch of opposition, with the young Utah Jazz serving as the stiffest competition of the week, to allow Lin to build up some momentum before taking centre stage in primetime against the Lakers at MSG. And thank those New York fans, yet again, for cheering like they were watching Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Man, the Garden is so much fun when its rocking. Despite five must-see games, we still dont know exactly what we have with Lin. But its so random and so remarkable a story that it should be enjoyed for as long as it lasts. Hes not as slick as Chris Paul, not as explosive as Russell Westbrook, not as crafty as Rajon Rondo, but he gets into the paint with ease, even if it ends in an unorthodox floater. His jump shot isnt as pure as Steve Nashs, but then again, its not Shawn Marion were watching. More than anything, hes a tough kid who has thrived in crucial moments. While the Lakers performance may be more celebrated, it was his effort in Minnesota thats probably the best indication of what hes about. After the high of the win over LA, they were back at it the next night, with a pest of a matchup against Ricky Rubio. In front of one of the largest Target Center crowds ever, Lin kept the Knicks in it, and at one point, was seven of 11 from the field for 15 points. But as the game wore on, Lin staggered. He finished the night 8-for-24, and was short on most of his shots, and blocked repeatedly. But, unlike recent nights, where he was the driving force to win, his teammates carried him, particularly much-maligned backcourt mates Iman Shumpert and Landry Fields. Tyson Chandler brought the defensive effort to help shut down Minny down the stretch, and despite playing his poorest game as a starter, the Knicks still put the game in Lins hands, tied with seconds to go. He made another strong drive to the hole, before drawing the foul and making what turned out to be the winning free throw. Lins got the Knicks creeping towards .500, much of it without mega stars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire (who were supposed to, you know, do what Lins been doing). But that might not even be his greatest feat. Lin single handedly put Tuesdays game with the Raptors on to the list of must-see matchups. Whens the last time you can say that all basketball eyes will be on the ACC? Vinsanity, meet Linsanity. On to the weeks best matchups, with the spotlight on last years NBA finalists. Spotlight 1 Miami at Milwaukee (Monday at 8pm et)Miami at Indiana (Tuesday at 7pm et)Miami at Cleveland (Friday at 7:30pm et)Orlando at Miami (Sunday at 3:30pm et) A nice test across the board for the Heat, for the diversity of the teams they meet. First, in Milwaukee, where the Bucks are the only team to beat Miami twice this season. They just seem to give the Heat fits. Follow that up the next night with what should be a grind-it-out affair with the tough Pacers. From there, its a trip back to Cleveland, where the bulls-eye will clearly be on LeBron James (the wound still hurts). And if thats not enough, they close out the week with a tilt on national TV against their interstate rivals. Spotlight 2LA Clippers at Dallas (Monday at 8:30pm et)Denver at Dallas (Wednesday at 8:30pm et)Dallas at Philadelphia (Friday at 7pm et)Dallas at New York (Sunday at 1pm et) The defending champs have been uneven most of the year, but their great depth has helped them right the ship and keep them in a top four West spot heading into the week. It was puzzling to see Dirk Nowitzki get named to the All-Star team. This is the same Dirk that was given days off in season to get healthy and into shape. That should not be rewarded. Great games against the Clippers and Nuggets start them off, before heading East to play the sneaky-good 76ers, finishing off with getting their dose of insu-Lin in New York Sunday. New York at Toronto (Tuesday at 7pm et, TSN)Hey, have you heard? Theres this crazy point guard with a crazy story coming to town by the name of Jeremy Lin ... Boston at Chicago (Thursday at 8pm et, TSN2)Rajon Rondo put up a mans triple-double in Sundays showdown, but no Derrick Rose for the Bulls. Im no basketball expert, but Chicagos in trouble if Rose cant stay healthy through this sprint of a year. LA Clippers at Portland (Thursday at 10:30pm et, TSN2)If you were forced to choose between these teams premier All-Star forwards, the sexy pick would be Blake Griffin. So athletic coupled with a tireless work ethic, hes a highlight of the night waiting to happen. But Aldridge has the complete repertoire: a smooth jumper, the ability to play in the post, and an unselfish passer when the double comes. Fun to watch these two stars collide. . That, he hinted, could come Wednesday. Negotiators for the NBA and its players met for only about two hours Tuesday and plan to resume the talks early Wednesday. Stern said that meeting will determine how soon its worth sitting down again. [url=http://www.cheapdealsnikeshoes.me.uk/nike-air-max/nike-air-max-90-womens.ht... Air Max 90 Womens Cheap . Then Calgarys offensive linemen held CFL sack leader Alex Hall to zero sacks when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers came to town earlier this month. Can they continue their success Saturday, now that Hall is a Roughrider following his trade from Winnipeg? A 42-27 loss to Calgary on Aug. Nike Roshe Run Women .com) - A highly anticipated battle between teams that swapped head coaches during the offseason is on tap today, as John Tortorella and the Vancouver Canucks visit Alain Vigneaults New York Rangers for a clash at Madison Square Garden. . NBA executive vice-president for basketball operations Stu Jackson announced the fine Tuesday. The league also upgraded the flagrant foul 1 Ibakas was given for hitting Griffin as the two battled for position in the paint to a Flagrant Foul 2, meaning Ibaka should have been ejected from the game.All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and winger Cory Jane have been ruled out of Saturdays Bledisloe Cup rugby test against Australia with minor injuries. McCaw was to play his 121st test and a world record 32nd against Australia -- the most by any player against a single team -- but was forced to withdraw on Friday with a tight calf muscle. Jane had been recalled to the All Blacks starting lineup for his first test after a niine-month injury layoff but was also forced out on Friday with a slight hamstring strain.dddddddddddd The 43-test veteran, who last played for the All Blacks against England in December, ruptured knee ligaments in January and has played only two matches since. 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