Sports Illustrated doesn't stop the Linsanity

For the second week in a row, Jeremy Lin will grace the cover of Sports Illustrated— the first New York athlete to ever achieve that honor.

Joe Namath, Derek Jeter or Eli Manning never did it.

It's hard to believe all of all the phenomenal New York sports stars who join those three champions on that  list: Mantle, Reed, Gooden, Rivera, Messier, L.T. and Ewing.

Now comes Lin with two covers during his three week old legacy.

The story of the undrafted benchwarmer, bouncing around the NBA, sleeping on his brother's couch and waiting for his shot has been played out to almost exhaustion.

Now the overachieving and humble Lin has an apartment at the Trump Tower in White Plains and is planning on renting a place in Manhattan's ritzy W Hotel— just for home games.

There are even odds on who he will be dating.  By the way Kim Kardashian is still the odds-on-favorite at 4-1 with Jennifer Aniston pulling up the rear at 25-1.




The magazine had a cover shot of Lin slicing through the Los Angeles Lakers defense for a basket on their Feb. 20 issue.

Now, Lin is pictured fist-pumping on the Feb. 27 cover.

Linsanity hasn't been limited to the NBA and USA.  Lin's appeal has turned the sports world— literally the sports world— on its head.

Sports Illustrated reports that the Harvard-educated point guard is now more popular in China than the legendary seven-footer Yao Ming.

He even made the cover of Time magazine's China edition last week.

Lin is the first athlete to get back-to-back covers since Dirk Nowitzki did it last June.  The Dallas Mavericks forward went on to lead his team to the NBA title.

Many people claim there is a jinx associated with the SI cover and have blamed the prime spot on everything from causing injuries to ending win streaks and careers as well.

Only problem is, the Knicks seven game win streak— with Linsanity at a fever pitch— came to a screeching halt against lowly Hornets three days before his first cover.

Michael Jordan appeared on a record 49 covers and that didn't seem to damper his winning ways.

The underdog story is Linfectious so, as long as it continues, don't be too surprised to see the Knicks savior score an SI trifecta.

Jeremy Lin prefers planking over Tebowing

In less than a week, Jeremy Lin has gone from a little used NBA bench-warmer to the biggest story in the league.  Now everyone is comparing the Harvard-grad to the NFL's sweetheart Tim Tebow after Lin guided the New York Knicks to a three-game win streak.

Lin is a self-confessed planking fan so you're more likely to catch the Knicks point guard extending body across a stiff object than getting down on one knee in reflection ala Tebowing.

Lin has been bombarded with comparisons to Tebow and admitted the Denver Broncos quarterback has been a driving force:

"Actually lot of inspiration just because he's such a polarizing figure but I think the things he says in his interviews, his approach to the game is just unbelievable and I respect him so much.  I want to be able to do some of the things that he does in terms of the amount of charity work and the non-profit work, and the way he impacts people off the field.  I think that is what is most inspiring to me about him."

The comparisons between the two are inevitable and will probably continue as long as the economics-grad piles up numbers.

There is one thing most can agree— both are oddities in their desired arenas.

Lin, the rare Asian-American to play on an NBA court and Tebow the chaste athlete on a football field.

Lin, like Tebow, is a devout Christian and leaves all of life's ups and downs in the hands of God but— aside from their overwhelming wills to win— the paths to their respective pro careers took different courses.

The Knicks player wasn't drafted and received no offers as a recruit; while Tebow was a top high school prospect,  a Heisman Trophy winner and first-round pick.

Still, the point guard with a knack for the pick-and-roll has turned himself into a nationwide sensation— much like "Tebow Mania" did a couple of months ago

While thousands of Tebow jerseys sold out before the QB even won a game, the few No. 17 Knicks jerseys were already on the clearance rack just last week.

Now retailers are scrambling to stock their shelves after the sparse Lin jerseys were snatched up and had fans resorting to making their own.

So desirable are the No. 17 jerseys right now, they are selling for $54.95— $10 more than the jerseys of Knicks stars Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.

"Linsanity" has taken over New York City.

Tickets for tonight's game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden have doubled on StubHub if you can find a seat.

Lin's feel good story is still on the opening page of what would be a nice Hollywood script.

He still has a long way to go before anyone knows if he is the real deal or just another Ken Maas.  Remember him.  Maas— as a replacement for Don Mattingly— hit 10 home-runs in his first 72 at-bats for the New York Yankees in 1990 to set a major-league record— only to fade faster than Kris Humphries' marriage.

If Lin lives up to the hype, count on him to plank rather than Tebow.

"Metta World Peace" to Lakers: "You Can Still Call Me Ron"

He might have legally changed his name to Metta World Peace, but the Los Angeles Lakers forward told his teammates he will still answer to the name of Ron.

The former-Ron Artest said, "I really don't have a preference" about what you call him at a Lakers shootaround.

He even smiled when someone called him "Queensbridge" at a press conference yesterday.

If you aren't from New York City, the Queensbridge projects are the former- St. John's basketball star's old stomping grounds and some of the toughest streets in the city.

World Peace was very busy during the NBA lockout auctioning off his championship ring for 500+K and donating the proceeds to mental health organizations, PETA and children's charities.

At a recent Lakers' game against the Utah Jazz, fans at the Staples Center chanted, "We Want World Peace" while the former-Ron Artest sat on the bench.

That seemed to be music to the New Yorker's ears.

"I think I accomplished a lot already," he said.  "Changing lives."

People in the media are still getting used to the revised name and even his new coach Mike Brown admitted it's not in the Lakers' vocabulary yet.

"I try to call him Metta more than anyone else," the coach said.  "And then you hear Steve Blake say, 'Hey Ron' or Kobe say 'Hey Ron-Ron' and it throws me off.  I'm trying, but no one's helping me."

It's doesn't matter what he is calling himself these days because when the former-Redmen star steps onto the streets of New York, he's still Ron Artest from Queens.

Ex-Magic CEO's Booty-Call Could Help Nets Land Dwight Howard

Nothing says "I love you" like a late night phone call to your ex—or soon-to-be free-agent—after a few rounds of drinks but the same call also says "run for the hills."

Either way, it's never a smart thing to do as ex-Orlando Magic CEO, Bob Vander Weide, found out after admitting he phoned Dwight Howard pleading with the star center to stay with with his team.

It sounds like the CEO's booty-call might have backfired.

Vander Weide, who unexpectedly retired yesterday, told Bright House Sports Network he called Howard a few days ago after having "a couple of glasses of wine" and "maybe should have waited until the morning."

"Maybe Dwight thought it was inappropriate to talk business after a couple glasses of wine," Vander Weide told the network about the 1 a.m. phone call.  "I was playing paddle with a couple of friends."

The Magic are desperate to keep Howard in Orlando.  Arguably the NBA's best big man, Howard can opt-out of the final year of his contract on July 1, and has expressed his desire to go to another team.

The situation has pretty much forced the Magic to deal the five-time All-Star now before they risk losing him for nothing in return when he becomes a free-agent.

In the meantime, teams have been taking advantage of the shaky relationship between Howard and his current team.

The Los Angeles Lakers—most notably—have offered everyone but Kobe Bryant for Howard but it's the New Jersey Nets who have actually put a tangible deal on the table.

The Nets have offered Brook Lopez, draft picks and cap space in order to keep their own All-Star point guard Deron Williams in Newark before they team moves to Brooklyn next year.

On Monday, Williams—who has his own opt-out decision to make after this season— claimed he had spoken with Howard about coming north and is "sure" he would sign an extension if he was dealt to the Nets.  The two players were teammates on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

"[Howard's] a monster," gushed Williams.  "He's like a created player.  He's not real."

The Nets might be facing an uphill battle for the coveted big guy playing alongside Williams.

Los Angeles—and the bright lights of Hollywood—might be too much of a draw for the aspiring actor Howard and the trade bait—Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum—might be too tempting for the Magic.

While the desperate call by Vander Weide might have been fueled by liquor—as suspected by Howard—the Magic are still in the mix for Howard.  The former CEO told Bright House that Howard is still waiting to see what Orlando offers the center before he becomes a free-agent after this season.

"We have a pretty good relationship," said Vander Weide.  "I have a pretty clear understanding where Dwight's head is and that's between him and this organization."

Still, the Nets don't want to turn any trade negotiations with the Magic into a media feeding frenzy, ala the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony.

"We're confident—Billy [Nets GM Billy King] and I," said Nets coach Avery Johnson.  "We've been confident all along.  Last year, we had a circus atmosphere when we were trying to make deals for some guys.  Hopefully, if we do anything, you guys [the media] won't find out until you kind of find out what we did [with Williams]," said Johnson.

Johnson said that trade talks with Orlando are in the preliminary stages and will be kept under wraps until the time is right.

"I can't talk about it publicly," said Johnson.  "But it's a foregone conclusion that we're working at it and hopefully, we'll get something done."

Maybe it's time for the Nets to bring out the big guns to lure Howard to Jersey and their new Brooklyn home next year—Madison Avenue and Jay-Z.

Gymnast Does "Kobe" Over Speeding Cars

Remember when Kobe Bryant's jump over an Aston-Martin sports car for a Nike ad—that he later confessed was fake—was all the rage?  Well, gymnast Aaron Evans has become an expert at flipping over moving vehicles and now holds the world-record by leaping over three cars in-a-row.

While Kobe's jump was admittedly "Hollywood," the 22 year-old Evans nail-biting stunts are void of any special effects.  He actually hops over the car, not beside it.

Evans does his dangerous flips over cars traveling at speeds of up to 30 mph on slippery oil-spotted parking lots.  He turns asphalt roads into a trampolines and could easily dunk a basketball on a 12-foot high rim.

The talented gymnast and acrobat said he was inspired to perform the stunt more from watching Bruce Lee movies than the Los Angeles Lakers star's video.

Kobe's ad was fun, but whatever shoes Evans is selling— I'm buying.

'MAGIC/BIRD' To Hit Broadway Stage In Spring Of 2012

It was always a great drama which started in the late '70's and raged throughout the 80's and now, the love/hate relationship between NBA stars Magic Johnson and Larry Bird will be brought to The Great White Way and no, that's not a reference about Bird's style of play.

In the spring of 2012, the drama "MAGIC/BIRD" will make its debut on Broadway and bring the storied careers and the bitter rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics stars to the stage.

The white vs. black, blue-collar vs. Hollywood themes and battles for one NCAA title and three NBA championships will surely provide plenty of dramatics with a hardwood backdrop.

The play itself may not replace a LeBron, Kobe or 'Melo on the court -- if there is a lockout--  but brings its own collection of all-stars to the front court.

Hitting the boards just got a new meaning in the theater world.

'MAGIC/BIRD' has its own two stars and a pretty good bench.

It was written by playwright Eric Simonson-- the same man who wrote the critically-acclaimed "Lombardi," and will be directed by Tony Award-nominated Thomas Kail of "In the Heights" fame.  The rest of the creative team will be filled by award-winning sound and costume designers.

'MAGIC/BIRD' will be a first on many levels.

Besides the unique subject matter, the play will be the first production endorsed by the NBA (or any professional sports league) and both Johnson and Bird have provided their own creative input throughout the development of the drama.

The set will be highlighted by spectacular basketball footage.  The historic backdrops will be displayed over the stage via projector.

It sounds like the NBA has high hopes for this production about two of its most legendary players.

Johnson, who loves the spotlight as much as Bird disdains it, had this to say.

"I have great love and respect for Larry Bird," he said.  "And am elated that our personal and professional relationship will now be exposed to an even larger audience through the dramatic production."

No preview date has been released.

Just wait for those tight gold Lakers and green Celtics shorts to make a comeback in the over-priced Times Square souvenir shops.

Kim Kardashian Accepts Kris Humphries Proposal Even Though He Is Still A Net

New Jersey Nets forward Kris Humphries is officially engaged to Kim Kardashian.  Humphries slipped a 20.5 carat diamond ring on the reality-show star's finger last week.  It's amazing the publicity-crazed family kept the engagement under wraps for so long.  Must have been planning a TV series or store opening.

E News confirmed that the 26 year-old Humphries popped the question to his 30 year-old bride-to-be on May 18 at Kardashian's Beverly Hills home.

When asked about custom-designed engagement ring, Humphries gushed, "I just wanted it to be big."

To put the token of love into perspective, Kate Middleton's rock is a paltry 18 carat piece of bling.

Kardashian's response to the big moment, after six months of courtship, was blogging "OMGGGGGG" to her legion of fans.

Those Kardashian girls seem to have caught NBA fever.  Kim's sister Khloe is married to Los Angeles Laker Lamar Odom--a relationship which was custom made for a cable television audience.  This relationship should be no different.

Expect another annoying reality show counting down the days to Humphries and Kardashian's big day.  Just what the world needs more shrieking woman and shameless self-promotion.  At least we get to see Bruce Jenner try to make his facial muscles work.

The good news for Humphries, he is still an NBA player.  The bad news, he's still a New Jersey Net.  Have fun in Newark Kim.

Ron Artest Bringing Comedy Act To New York City

Ron Artest is preparing to take us into his wacky world of weirdness and whimsy by bringing "Ron Artest - The Ultimate Comedy Tour" to New York City this summer.  The Los Angeles Lakers small-forward will host four comedy shows at Caroline's on Broadway on July 15 and 16.

Right after getting swept by the Dallas Mavericks, it seems only natural for Artest, the Queens, NY native and the NBA's reigning class clown, to come home and try his hand at making people laugh with him and not at him.

After all,  his embarrassing play in the second-round playoff was pretty comical.  Taking a cue from that other L.A. funny man Charlie Sheen, the well-traveled basketball star might now want to call his show "Losing."

The 31 year-old Artest could even take the show on the road.  Lord knows he's already made controversial stops with the Bulls, Pacers, Kings and Rockets.  What's another Laugh Factory in Toronto? Detroit would be a blast.  Just imagine the heckling when he reminds Piston fans about the 'Brawl in the Palace.'

The out-spoken former-St. John's star is no stranger to the spotlight or making us laugh--mostly unintentionally.  Here's a sampling of his off-the-backboard humor.

When he joined the Lakers, Artest took '37' for his jersey number as a tribute to Michael Jackson whose "Thriller" album was "#1 on 'Billboard' for 37 weeks."  Cerebral stuff.   Reminds me of Steven Wright.

Then there was the one about thanking his shrink on national TV, right after the Lakers won the NBA Championship last year.  Richard Lewis anyone?

If Artest doesn't tickle your funny bone, he may break it.  Just ask the Mavericks little J.J. Barea how a Ron Artest punchline--I mean clothesline--feels.

With his Queensbridge Projects upbringing, Artest's comedy-stylings might be a little bit more rough around the edges than edgy.  It's an acquired taste.  Like Carrot Top on steroids.

The small forward's comedy goddesses will include local morning radio DJ's and pals according to the New York Daily News.  No porn stars or hookers in this extravaganza--just a laff-riot.   Hey, here's one.  What do the Lakers and a Japanese steak house have in common?  They both have aged Kobe.  Pure gold, Jerry, pure gold.

We can only hope that Artest starts rapping during the show.  Now, that would be really hilarious.

Where's Shaq when you need him?  No, Really.  Where is he?