Five years ago this August, Jobamania took over New York.
Tuesday night in Toronto, Linsanity did it again. Jeremy Lin’s magic carpet ride continued when he scored 12 fourth-quarter points to rally the Knicks past the Raptors for their sixth straight victory – all with Lin as starting point guard. His final points were a cold-blooded three-pointer with 0.5 seconds left to break an 87-87 tie, and send the Air Canada Centre – on Asian Heritage night – and sports bars around the Big Apple into a frenzy.
The next morning, 1,906 miles south of Toronto, Ontario, Joba Chamberlain was working out at the Yankees’ Minor League complex in Tampa, Fla., four days before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for the start of Spring Training. The day before, Chamberlain told reporters he had a “good day” in his rehab back from Tommy John surgery after throwing 20 pitches off a half-mound. The hope is that the right-hander, who underwent the procedure last June, will get the go-ahead to throw off a full mound next week.
On a quiet Wednesday morning – sunny and 80 degrees – Chamberlain was asked about Linsanity. Everyone has had an opinion on how Lin has taken over the hearts of not just New Yorkers, but virtually all sports fans, national and international media, and the worldwide general population.
Chamberlain, though, is different. He offers not just words. He lived through a phenomenon of his own creation.
“If there's anybody in New York City who knows what he's going through, it's me,” Chamberlain said, “and I'm very honored to be able to say that.”
Jobamanina wasn’t quite the degree of Linsanity – check out this amazing read in Toronto’s National Post – but it provided an adrenaline surge to a Yankees team that in August of 2007 had not yet peaked. He’d storm out of the bullpen to Motley Crue’s “Shout at the Devil” and not just retire the side in order, but blow them away with a blazing fastball and filthy curve. The energy he provided was contagious and watching him go to work was alone worth the price of admission. Chamberlain didn’t just thrive as an eighth-inning reliever. He dominated. He owned opposing hitters and had a fan base in the palm of his hand.
“You get some free meals out of it,” Chamberlain recalled. “Does it get old? No. When they stop asking I'm not doing something right.”
In the fall of 2004, Yankees captain Derek Jeter -- himself an attention magnet with a cunning ability of deflecting it -- placed a phone call to a young quarterback buckling under the weight of expectations. Jeter told Eli Manning to keep doing what he was doing. Stay the course and things will get better. The point guard of the New York Knicks has handled his Lin-stant success with incredible humility and aplomb, but once temptation inevitably comes ringing, Lin has an open invite to call Chamberlain and discuss being a sensation.
“I'd love to have dinner with him,” Chamberlain said. “To see his passion has been awesome.”
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Minutes before Lin buried the Raptors, the New York Rangers put the finishing touches on a 3-0 win in Boston over the reigning Stanley Cup champion Bruins behind 42 saves by goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. It started an interesting debate over Twitter over who currently “rules” New York, Lin or Lundqvist, and I spent part of my Wednesday morning fanning the flames.
Here are the facts:
Lin: The reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Lin put up 27 points and 11 assists in Toronto. He's averaging 27.2 points, 8.8 assists and 6.0 turnovers over his last five games while totaling 130, the most by an NBA player in his first five starts since the NBA-ABA merger. The Knicks are 6-0 since Lin was inserted into the starting lineup on February 4, when he sparked New York to a win over the Nets that’s been the turning point of the regular season.
Lundqvist: “King Henrik” made 42 saves for his fourth shutout in 10 games and NHL-leading seventh of the season. He is 7-1-0 with a 1.10 goals-against average and a .960 save percentage in his last eight starts. He’s been the MVP of a Rangers team that leads the Eastern Conference by nine points over the Bruins and is one behind the Detroit Red Wings in the overall standings. In fact, Lundqvist is currently the league MVP in my book.
In terms of who rules New York I’ve gotten calls for Manning, Lin, Lundqvist, Jeter and Mariano Rivera. All viable choices – Manning’s second Super Bowl win and game MVP rightfully has him on the throne – but with Manning now chilling out, and looking through the vortex of the present day and time, I give an edge to Lundqvist. To quote @Stefmara, “For all we know, Lin might be a flash in the pan. Lundqvist is proven and finally has the right parts in front of him.”
In the below poll I’ll include Jeter and Rivera based on their impeccable Hall of Fame resumes over the long-term. Either vote or comment below – and enjoy the ride.
Follow Jon Lane on Twitter: @JonLaneNYC
