Jeremy Lin and Iman Shumpert connect in a more meaningful way (Getty Images)
As we enter an All-Star weekend that is going to be just about nearly free of Jeremy Lin stories save for his appearance at Friday's Rising Star's Challenge, it's worth wondering if it might be time to start appreciating Lin less as this incredible pro sports phenomenon, and more as a pretty darn good guard for a Knicks team hoping to overcome a disappointing start to the season. Exhibit A came on Wednesday night, when Lin came through with a solid night in New York's win over the Atlanta Hawks, but in front of a local viewing audience whose numbers actually rivaled the pre-Lin era Knicks from last month.
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Then there was the news that Knicks guard Iman Shumpert -- who was scheduled to be a part of Saturday's dunk contest before injuries got in the way -- revealed that he was attempting to persuade Lin to aid him in the props department of his performance with the semi-famous couch that Lin slept on before the Knicks guaranteed his contact for the year. The world, collectively, yawned. Or, sick of the story thanks to jerks like me, even treated it as a bit of a relief. Here's Shumpert from the New York Post:
Knicks rookie guard Iman Shumpert, who officially pulled out of the Slam Dunk contest yesterday because of tendinitis in his knee, admitted to The Post he had a "Linsane'' trick up his sleeve.
Yes, he and Jeremy Lin had talked about doing a dunk in which Shumpert would vault over a couch — the symbol of Lin's humble sleeping conditions.
"He was going to help me out,'' Shumpert told The Post. "Once my knee was so sore, I started thinking about it: 'Am I going to be able to jump over the couch?' All kinds of things to think about.''
Of course, the waning fever hasn't stopped this talented crew from putting together Jeremy Lin, in musical theatre form:
Yep. Bring on the playoffs, please.
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