Jeremy Lin: 10 Words Inspired by America's Newest NBA Star

New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin has become something of a revolutionary.

In just three short weeks, Lin has changed the infrastructure of the NBA. With New York sitting at 8-15, coach Mike D'Antoni gave the unknown player from Harvard University a chance at reviving the Knicks' season, and as a result, both Lin and the team have been winners. 

Since taking over as a full-time player, Lin has averaged 21.0 points and eight assists a game. Best of all, he has led the Knicks to a 9-3 record, and now New York has a great chance at making the playoffs, sitting at an eighth-best 17-18 currently in the Eastern Conference.

Lin's game has sent reverberations throughout the sports world. His No. 17 jersey is the best-selling jersey on NBA.com. The Knicks' home games at Madison Square Garden have been sellouts. Lin, who is of Asian descent, has a huge fanbase within the Asian community.

Not only that, but the hype surrounding Lin has created a new way of communicating.

By now, you have probably heard the word (Lin)sanity, which means, "people are going insane over Jeremy Lin."

There are many other words inspired by the Knicks' iconic new star, and here are 10 words to add to your Jeremy Lin vocabulary.

Enjoy.

10. (Lin)ception

Since Jeremy Lin's (Lin)ception in the NBA, people are trying to figure out his game.

What's his go-to move? Is he quick enough? Can he go to his left? Those are just some of the questions basketball insiders are asking.

Only one team has figured him out so far: the Miami Heat. In a nationally televised game on Thursday night, Miami hounded and harassed Lin. The result was his worst game as a starter.

Lin had eight points on 1-of-11 shooting, three assists, three steals and the worst stat of all: eight turnovers. The result was a Knicks loss, 102-88.

Lin is still at the beginning of his career, but as time goes on, he will point the Knicks in the right direction.

9. (Lin)stincts

Despite not being a great on-ball defender, Jeremy Lin has great (Lin)stincts.

Lin (pictured deflecting the ball against Atlanta) is averaging 2.2 steals a contest.

Even though Lin is only 23 years old, he plays like a seasoned veteran. Very few players enter the NBA ready to start at the point guard position, but Lin is cerebral enough to rely on his (Lin)stincts.

Once he matures, Lin could soon become one of the NBA's top 20 players.

8. (Lin)tensity

Jeremy Lin may have the looks of a choir boy, but he's one of the most (Lin)tense players the NBA has seen in a while.

Lin is as fervent a player as anybody who's been in the league for several years. His ferocity has breathed new life into a New York team that was dead before he took over.

Fans love his (Lin)tensity, and the Knicks have benefited greatly because of it.

7. (Lin)telligence

Anyone who matriculates at Harvard University is obviously smart.

The list of the prestigious school's famous alumni is too long to mention, but in the case of Lin, it was his (Lin)telligence that got him accepted to Harvard.

Lin graduated from high school with a 4.2 grade-point average. In college, he majored in economics and graduated with a 3.1 in 2010.

On the court, Lin uses his (Lin)telligence to his advantage. His court vision is keen, which allows him to have a panoramic view at all times.

The only area in which he needs improvement is the turnover department. Since becoming a starter on Feb. 6, Lin is averaging a little over six turnovers a game—a statistic that is uncommonly high for a point guard.

However, Lin is bright enough to figure out complex defensive schemes, and once he controls his turnovers, his game will ascend even higher. 

6. (Lin)ternational

Jeremy Lin is becoming (Lin)ternationally known.

Born of Asian descent, Lin has become a global brand. Fans in the Asian community love him, here in America and worldwide. Lin is the first American player to be born of Chinese or Taiwanese descent. 

Yao Ming, a former All-Star center, was a big hit with the Asian community; Ming was born in Shanghai. Yao retired in July of 2011 because of chronic foot and ankle problems. Even though Ming is a native son of China, Lin may surpass his popularity soon.

Because of Lin's ethnicity, there have been several detractors. Many people are (Lin)secure because of his quick rise to fame. Obnoxious fans have even used racial epithets. Although some incendiary remarks have been offensive, Lin maintains his cool.

If Lin continues to play at a high level, he may become the face of sports, period.

5. (Lin)flation

No player in the history of the NBA is believed to have had such a quick, high economic impact as Jeremy Lin.

Lin has been a box office hit. A ticket at Madison Square Garden is a hot item right now. Other NBA arenas are also selling out for Lin.

The Knicks' Thursday night game at Miami was huge in many ways. The sold-out game at AmericanAirlines Arena had some seats reportedly going for as much as $700.

Lin's No. 17 NBA jersey is the best-selling jersey, according to NBA.com. Nike is getting ready to launch a Jeremy Lin promotional campaign.

Overall, it is rumored that Lin will be worth $10 to $20 million for the league.

Talk about (Lin)flation.

4. (Lin)spiration

Jeremy Lin's basketball journey has been a (Lin)spirational story.

He was unwanted coming out of high school, went undrafted out of college, was cut by two teams—Golden State and Houston—and played at various times in the NBDL.

The Knicks were on the verge of cutting him again, but coach Mike D'Antoni decided to give Lin one final look. This time, Lin's prayers would be answered. A devout Christian, Lin has found success and hasn't looked back.

At one time, Lin slept on his brother's living room sofa, not knowing whether he would ever get a chance in the NBA.

Now, Lin has become a universal symbol for what spirituality means. Faith, hard work and prayer seem to have paid off.

Jeremy Lin has definitely been a (Lin)spiration to us all.

3. Appea(Lin)g

Everyone has gotten a case of (Lin)sanity.

With a smile that lights up Broadway, Jeremy Lin has an appeal(Lin)g demeanor that is infectious. Because of his good-natured looks, big smile and overall disposition, people are lining up to get a piece of him.

He has been on the cover of Sports Illustrated and Time magazine. His meteoric rise to fame has movie stars (Spike Lee and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), other sports figures and even the President of the United States (Barack Obama) singing his praises.

And what better place to be than in the media capital of the world: New York City.

2. (Lin)finite

Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos did it this past NFL season, and now Jeremy Lin is doing it in the NBA.

Both Tebow and Lin have developed infinite legacies—or in Lin's case, (Lin)finite.

Lin has been a saviour for the NBA, a league that has lost some popularity in recent years. The preseason lockout by the players gave the game another black eye, but with the rise of Jeremy Lin, the NBA may be on its way back to respectability.

Tebow, another devout Christian, took over as the Broncos' starting quarterback around midseason and led Denver to the playoffs—including a postseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Denver was 1-4 when Tebow became the starter.

Lin is looking to duplicate Tebow's heroics by leading the Knicks to the NBA playoffs. New York was 8-15 before Lin took over, but now the Knicks have a great chance of getting to the postseason.

Like Tebow, there is something about Jeremy Lin that makes you ask the question: Is God a sports fan?

1. (Lin)sanity

We might as well admit it: We've all got a case of (Lin)sanity.

Jeremy Lin is just what the doctor ordered, folks. He has brought the New York Knicks back from the dead, and despite some haters, Lin is not going anywhere.

Lin is a terrific player, capable of breathtaking plays. And he's fun to watch. Although he is still improving his game, Lin has become a phenomenon.

Those of you that are (Lin)secure, get over it; the man can flat-out play.