President Barack Obama has caught 'Lin-sanity.'
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was asked about the New York Knicks' point guard Jeremy Lin Wednesday on Air Force One while en route to Milwaukee. "As you know, the President is an avid sports fan, and a particularly avid basketball fan, and we were speaking about Jeremy Lin on Marine One as we flew here -- to Andrews Air Force Base this morning," said Carney. "It's just a great story, and the President was saying as much this morning. It's obviously terrific for the New York Knicks, but it's the kind of sports story that transcends the sport itself."
"So it's a great story. And, yes, he's very impressed and fully up to speed," continued Carney. "I know he’s watched Lin play already and he’s seen the highlights from last night’s game."
Lin has become an unexpected sensation in his past six games, averaging about 26.8 points per game, and even outscoring the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant on Feb. 10 with 38 points. He played for four years at Harvard University but was not drafted by an NBA team. He signed with the New York Knicks in December after being cut from both the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. He is the first American-born player of Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA.
Lin made a game-winning three-pointer as time expired Tuesday night, lifting the Knicks over the Toronto Raptors, 90-87. Lin scored the last six points of the game, having 27 points and 11 assists in total.