NBA’s ‘Linderella’ scores with success story

New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin (17) drives against Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

Of all the nicknames Jeremy Lin has earned over the last 10 days — Linsanity, Linsane, J-Lin, etc. — perhaps the one most fitting is this: Linderella. His story is so syrupy and sweet even Disney might have a tough time believing it.

In the time it takes to travel from California to New York, Lin has carved out a cult following never before seen in pro basketball. Undrafted two years ago, he was released by two teams in December before the New York Knicks picked him up only because their roster was depleted by injuries. He’s one of four Harvard players to make it to the NBA, and the other three used two-handed set shots to score points. He’s an Asian-American in a sport devoid of them, which adds even more intrigue.

Tuesday night, Lin’s show hit the Air Canada Centre, and what a show it was. With the entire crowd of 20,092 on its feet, Lin knocked down a three-pointer with less than a second left in the game to finish off the Toronto Raptors, 90-87. Lin had a game-high 27 points and 11 assists in 44 minutes.

Not bad for a guy who just last week spent most nights on his brother’s couch in a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

Full story: NBA’s ‘Linderella’ scores with success story