The Sixth Man: Lin proving the skeptics wrong

Basketball Betting Lines

02/13/2012 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If an unproven scriptwriter took Jeremy Lin's story to Hollywood a month ago, he would have probably been thrown out on his ear.

"Too unrealistic, kid," a jaded Tinseltown exec likely would have told the young scribe.

After all, a skinny Asian-American kid from Harvard outdueling Kobe Bryant in Madison Square Garden? The Looney Tunes beating the Monstars in "Space Jam" was more realistic.

But there was Lin last Friday dismantling Kobe and the mighty Lakers, using his smarts, savvy and craftiness to find seam after seam in a defense manned by a couple of lengthy 7-footers in Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.

The former Reno Bighorn and Erie Bayhawk dropped in a career-high 38 points and dished out seven assists in a 92-85 Knicks win over L.A., one that snapped New York's nine-game skid to the Lakers.

In fact, Lin has done something in less than a week that a five-time NBA All- Star couldn't do in a year -- he made the Knicks his team.

Neither Carmelo Anthony nor Amare Stoudemire have resembled anything but overpriced square pegs being pounded into a round hole night after night by a coach, Mike D'Antoni, who longs for the days of Steve Nash running his seven- seconds-or-less offense.

When Rick Pitino was stinking it up in Boston a number of years ago, he once snapped at reporters after a frustrating loss, saying, "Larry Bird isn't walking through that door. Kevin McHale isn't walking through that door." The implication was clear -- no one was coming to save Pitino or his Celtics, they would have to do it themselves.

In a similar vein, Nash wasn't coming to save D'Antoni and Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert and Baron Davis proved incapable. The status quo had the Knicks floundering at 8-15 and perhaps the most disappointing team in all of basketball.

Only desperation gave Lin his chance and in seven days this unlikely protagonist took an overpaid, under-performing roster and turned them into a possible championship contender.

"It's a completely different team," Knicks center Tyson Chandler said when talking about Lin's impact. "You can't look at this team the same. He's not a fluke."

LeBron never came to save the day in Gotham, but an econ major who could have served as an extra in "The Social Network" did.

Scouts who missed the boat on Lin are already trying to poke holes in his game. Most detractors point that a lockout-truncated season short on practice time has rendered coaches unable to implement ways to stop Lin.

Once they figure out his jumper isn't reminiscent of Dell Curry's, or that his lateral movement isn't exactly Tony Allen-esqe, things will start to change.

Lin isn't Pete Maravich, so the numbers are going to settle down at some point, especially when the Knicks' resident ball-stopper is back in the lineup. That said, understand anyone who can put together four straight games of 20-plus points, six-plus assists and 50 percent shooting at the NBA level has talent.

"I don't know what to tell you," D'Antoni gushed. "I have never seen this. What he's doing is amazing."

Talent, however, doesn't guarantee an opportunity and Lin's long winding road to success is more than a bit of an indictment on the NBA's system for judging its players.

I wish I could say I saw it coming.

But, an Asian-American kid out of Harvard who can play with Kobe Bryant?

Get out of my office.

Wwwwallstreetcasino Basketball Betting News

<< This Week in Golf -- February 16th through February 19th
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - PGA TOUR - NORTHERN TRUST OPEN - Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California - A week after crushing the field in the final round at Pebble Beach, Phil Mickelson heads to Hogan's Alley to see if he ca

<< Ivanovic, Kuznetsova among first-day winners in Doha
Doha, Qatar (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia were among the winners Monday on the first day of main draw action at the Qatar Open. The 13th-seeded Ivanovic was ahead 6-1, 4-1 when Spain's Carla

<< Van Basten to take charge of Heerenveen
Heerenveen, Netherlands (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Netherlands international Marco van Basten has agreed to take over as manager of Heerenveen in the summer after agreeing to a two-year contract. Van Basten will take over for Ron Jan

<< Korda cracks top 100 in women's rankings
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Following her playoff victory at the Women's Australian Open on Sunday, Jessica Korda jumped 203 places in this week's women's world rankings. Korda, who birdied the second playoff hole to def

<< Sa Pinto replaces Paciencia at Sporting
Lisbon, Portugal (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sporting Lisbon fired manager Domingos Paciencia on Monday and has replaced him with Ricardo Sa Pinto. Sa Pinto has been promoted to manager from his role in Sporting's youth setup, and the 39-year-ol

Smith, Malkin, Perron named NHL's 'Three Stars' >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith, Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin and St. Louis left wing David Perron have been selected as the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending February 12. Smith won eac

Baylor still women's No. 1, UConn second >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Baylor is again a unanimous choice as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press women's college basketball poll. The undefeated Lady Bears received all 40 first-place votes and a total of 1,000 points from

Oilers ink Sutton to extension >>
Edmonton, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Edmonton Oilers agreed to terms with defenseman Andy Sutton on a one-year contract extension Monday. Acquired on July 1 from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Kurtis Foster, the 36-ye

Union adds MLS veteran Albright >>
Chester, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Union has signed MLS veteran defender Chris Albright, the club announced on Monday. Albright is a three-time MLS All-Star and has spent 13 seasons in the league with four teams. The 33-

Jeremy Lin highlights NBA Players of the Week >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin was further acknowledged for his surprising play on Monday, earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for games completed through February 12. Oklah

MySportsbook.com - The World's Leading Online Sportsbook

For more than 11 years now, MySportsbook.com has been the World’s BEST online sports book website, providing a safe and secure place for sports wagering. Our world-class level of experience and industry sportsbook expertise is unmatched.

Offering a wide array of sports to wager on, MySportsbook.com leaves no stone unturned in our search to provide you with great football betting lines and online blackjack options. From teasers to parlays, from futures to wacky propositions, we add more game excitement than any other sportsbook. Fully licensed in two gaming jurisdictions, MySportsbook.com is open and eager to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Whatever the sporting event, this online sportsbook has you covered. Enjoy some of sport’s most memorable moments that much more with MySportsbook.com. With increased interest, follow the game-winning field goal, the walk-off homerun, the buzzer-beater or the hole-in-one shot. Bank on that clutch glove save, the upset TKO or an incredible Hail Mary pass. MySportsbook.com quenches your thirst for action.

To visit this online blackjack got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts credit cards needs.