NBA All-Star Weekend 2012: Jeremy Lin Added to Shooting Stars Competition

New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin may not have been invited to the Rising Stars Challenge, but it turns out that he will be involved in All-Star weekend, as he is going to compete in the Haier Shooting Stars competition.

According to ESPN, Lin will take part in the competition on Feb. 25. The Shooting Stars contest features teams comprised of one current NBA player, one WNBA player and one TNT on-air personality who formerly played in the NBA. The trio has to complete a number of different shooting challenges, and the team who finishes fastest wins.

The Shooting Stars event has been an All-Star staple since 2007, and it will be the first event on All-Star Saturday from Amway Arena in Orlando, Fla. The event is a precursor to the Three-Point and Slam Dunk competitions.

ESPN's Marc Stein is also reporting that Lin will have some involvement in the Slam Dunk competition. His Knicks teammate, rookie guard Iman Shumpert, is in the event and will utilize Lin as his passer during the portion of the event in which another player is required.

Lin has truly taken the league by storm as he has led the once-beleaguered Knicks on a seven-game winning streak, starting six of those contests. He is averaging 24.4 points and nine assists per game over that stretch, making him one of the most prolific players in NBA history over his first six starts.

Lin is a major draw for Asian Americans due to his heritage, but he has essentially every NBA fan captivated with his current performance. Lin may not have a marquee spot in the All-Star festivities, but getting him involved in any way possible is a smart move by the league office.