Not too long ago, Jeremy Lin was riding the bench and living on his brother’s couch in Manhattan. Now he is the talk of the NBA and perhaps the biggest story of the sports world so far in 2012.

It all started about two years ago, when Lin was an unrestricted free agent just waiting for an NBA team to call him. Lin went to Harvard University and became only the 4th Harvard graduate to make it to the NBA. The Golden State Warriors gave Lin a chance and signed him to a short one-year deal. After just a season in Golden State, the Houston Rockets signed Lin in the summer of 2011. Not knowing what this kid was capable of doing, the Rockets cut Lin, in order to make room for Center Samuel Dalembert.

At this time, Lin was still under the radar. The New York Knicks signed Lin to a short one-year deal, worth $762,195, making him basically a bench warmer. The Knicks have two of the best players in the league, but had struggled so far this whole season. With Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, the team and the New York fans were looking forward to a great season, playoffs and all. All the Knicks were missing was a point guard.

It seemed that they could not figure anything out, and maybe they were not even going to the playoffs. Coach Mike D’antoni was on the hot seat with his coaching job on the line. The Knicks were sitting on an ugly 8-15 record, on the outside looking in. They needed a spark, but did not know what and who could offer it though.

Then came basically an unknown man off the bench in one game against the New Jersey Nets, with the Knicks losing. The Knicks gave Lin his shot to play and fill in the point guard spot, and the Knicks quickly got back into the game. With Lin’s 25 points and 7 assists, the Knicks beat the Nets. He saved the game for New York.

Since that game, Lin has been playing every game, and even made a last second shot to win a game, and has led the Knicks to a 7-game winning streak, bringing them back to .500. After a start of a season of disappointment, Lin may have just saved the Knicks season. Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks play, is making more money now too. People are buying Lin jerseys on a nightly basis.

Lin, once the underdog, is finally getting the publicity he deserves. Many NBA players have weighed in on the “Linsanity.”

 Chris Paul and many other athletes have seen what is going on and commented on it via Twitter. Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs said, “#jeremylin keeps getting bigger. Today 27pts 11a & just saw the game winner. What a story!! Happy for him & for the game.”

Jeremy Lin is representing selfless, ego-free basketball and has become a sports icon almost over night. What would have been a big story in Florida, or even Houston, is a huge story because it is happening in New York City. The Knicks look like they are back.