Covering Jeremy Lin has been easy for Sports Illustrated.
The high-scoring Knicks newcomer is on the cover of SI for the second week in a row. He’s the first New York-based team athlete to be given such treatment since the magazine started in 1954 — not even Mickey Mantle, Joe Namath or Eli Manning made two in a row.
Lin became a global star after getting a chance to start for the Knicks. The unheralded point guard from Harvard is playing with a flair that has revitalized the team and the fans.
Lin is the 12th athlete to appear on the SI cover at least two weeks in a row since 1990. Dirk Nowitzki did it during last season’s NBA Finals. Michael Jordan holds the SI cover record with three in row.
Lin boosting ticket prices
Linsanity is on its way to Miami, and the Heat can finally say they’re eager for the arrival.
It may be the NBA’s marquee matchup so far this season, the phenomenon that is New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin taking center stage in Miami on Thursday against the NBA-leading Heat in both sides’ finale before the All-Star break.
Online ticket brokers reported early Wednesday that the average price of a seat on the resale markets is about $600. Unless you want courtside seats, that is. They run about $8,000 — each.
“It’s not about Jeremy Lin versus LeBron James,” Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. “It’s the Miami Heat versus the New York Knicks.”
Rondo to replace Johnson
Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson will miss the All-Star Game because of tendinitis in his left knee.
NBA Commissioner David Stern picked Boston guard Rajon Rondo to replace Johnson in the game at Orlando this weekend, passing over Atlanta forward Josh Smith. Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant will take Johnson’s place in the 3-point contest.
Johnson is also skipping the Hawks’ last two games before the break: at New York on Wednesday night and a home game against Orlando tonight. .
He leads the Hawks in scoring at 17.6 points per game and was named to the All-Star team for the sixth year in a row.
Deal close on Kings
Sacramento’s last shot to remain an NBA city appears to be headed for another overtime.
NBA Commissioner David Stern and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said Wednesday they have agreed to a “work plan” in hopes of reaching a deal to finance a new arena by the March 1 deadline. Johnson, Stern and the Maloof family, which owns the Sacramento Kings, will meet during this weekend’s All-Star festivities in Orlando, Fla.
If a plan can been hammered out in time, a term sheet will be announced March 1 and the Sacramento City Council will vote on the plan at its March 6 meeting.
Despite attempts by Anaheim and Seattle to swoop in and lure the Kings, Stern said the league is making every attempt to keep the franchise in California’s capital.
