A "LIN-DERELLA" STORY

Could it be? Another "divine experience" in the sports world? Often referred to as the Tebow of basketball, Jeremy Lin of the NY Knicks has yet to prove us wrong. Catch-phrases have started such as, "Linning" and "Linsanity." He certainly has quite a bit of hype to live up to now...

For the most part, Jeremy Lin came out of nowhere. We heard nothing about
him and now he's everywhere in the media. Just like Tebow was with the Broncos, Lin never talks about himself in an interview, but rather references the team as a whole. There is constant debate over the stats vs. the hype and whether or not he truly is a miracle sensation, but nonethless, the sports world is witnessing an unbelievable athlete and a part of history in the making.

Lin came off the bench for the Knicks when they beat the Nets on Feb 4th and he put up 25 points, and he's played better every game since. He saw his opportunity and deffintely ran with it. Even if Lin has his flaws to work on as a point guard, you can't deny that he has brought a confidence to the New York Knicks that has led the team to a winning streak. Not to mention, the game that shocked us all, Knicks Vs. Raptors where Lin made his game-winning 3-pointer with less than a second left on the clock!

The Knicks star players are returning to the court. Stoudemire has already made his return debut and Carmelo Anthony is also returning to the Knicks. If they can adjust to playing alongside the overnight sensation Jeremy Lin, then I see good things in store for the New York team.

-Sarah Kirk

LET THE SUPER BOWL CELEBRATION BEGIN!

Like most other people, I was at a friend's house on Sunday gathered around the television with a group of friends, anxious to see if New York would come out on top. Well they did (I'm never going to hear the end of it from Giants fans), but it was all-in-all a well-deserved win.

What  fascinates me the most about a Super Bowl win is it's ability to not only bring the team closer, but the entire city as well. As I commuted to work on Monday morning in NYC I passed people in the streets decked out in Giants attire. Strangers were high-fiving and mutual fans were re-capping the game with one another. The morning train ride had unlikely companions sharing a seat, linked together by a Giants hat.

I laughed out loud when I read a tweet that said, "Today I am going to slap every Giants fan I see on the back, because YOU played great out there and YOU deserve it." It was funny to me, because it's true. Die-hard fans tend to have the mentality that they actually played in the game. It still blows my mind to see a city so united after a major win. It just goes to show the kind of power sports can have.

At this moment I'd also like to also point out the group of guys from Middletown (my co-workers) who made the news for renting out an RV and traveling to Indianappolis to support the Giants. The televised news story featured their keg in the shower, lack of running water, and how excited the guys were to be a part of sports history. True dedication.

Today in Manhattan the Giants received a parade to celebrate their victory. When logging onto facebook it was obvious that every person who worked in NY took a break from their cubicle to watch the celebration. Whether the view was from an office window or up close in person, photos were uploaded non-stop.

Enjoy the spotlight Giants players and fans, you deffinitely earned it!

-Sarah Kirk

MEDIA DAY HIGHLIGHTS (L-O-L)

Yes, the (L-O-L) in the title does stand for Laugh Out Loud. Why? Because that was my exact reaction when reading the ridiculous questions that were asked on this year's Media Day.

Media Day...the day that every random reporter, even if they have nothing to do with sports, comes out to interview the players. Some asked questions like, "Tom Brady, what do you prefer pizza or chowder?" Other's asked questions like, "How's it feel being an uncle, Eli?"

My personal favorite was Antrel Rolle's response when asked what is favorite Madonna song is, "Like a Virgin..but I can't sing it, because I'm definitely not that.."

There was a "reporter" from Nickelodeon dressed as a super-hero. Obsurd questions were asked by a man from VH1 dressed in an old-school football uniform. A woman from Access Hollywood made an impression, probably because she looked like she just stepped out of a Victoria Secret magazine.

As you can see, this money-making gimmick had it's moments. To add to the mayhem, the public was allowed to purchase tickets this year to attend Media Day. Many people tweeted about the craziest questions asked, which range from hysterical to down-right pointless. 'Tis the Super Bowl season. Enjoy reading them and laughing out loud!

-Sarah Kirk

MANNING SITS OUT THIS SUPER BOWL

Don't panic Giants fans! Eli Manning will certainly be on the field this Sunday ready to play the game of his life in the highly anticipated Giants-Patriots rematch. The Manning brother I am referring to is "Mr. Indianapolis" himself...Peyton.

In the midst of all the Super Bowl hype between New York and New England fans, I would like to take the spotlight away from the rivals for a second to focus on the sibling that won't be playing in his own house. Ironically, this year Super Bowl XLVI will be held in the Indianapolis stadium, where Peyton Manning has inspired millions of hometown fans to get off their counch and go support their team.

As most of you sports fans already know, the four-time NFL MVP had to sit this season out due to a series of unfortunate neck injuries. Colts fans were devastated as this impacted their 2011 season, when the Colts went 2-14, severing any chance at reaching the Super Bowl. After suffering through a Manning-less season, Indianapolis is more worried that there will be no comeback for the star quarterback.

The injured quarterback was paid $18 million to sit on the sidelines this season, but the team is arriving at a heart-breaking decision, do they keep him on the roster (paying him $28 million) if there is no hope for him to play again? Fans everywhere are devestated at this thought, seeing that Indianapolis was virtually unknown for football in the pre-Peyton years.

Manning has been the hero of the mid-west town for the past 14 years, giving the locals something to believe in. "This town has embraced this guy like nothing I have ever seen before," Kevin Brinegar, the president of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, says. "He is the heart and soul." As the Super Bowl crowd piles into the Indianapolis stadium on Sunday, praying for their team to win, Colts fans will be praying for Peyton Manning's health.

As the long-awaited game approaches, media attention surrounds the Manning brothers more than ever. Peyton carried the Colts to the Super Bowl in 2007 and now it's time to watch the other sibling shine. It is evident, however, that Peyton is very supportive of his brother and pround to witness Eli lead the Giants to take on the Patriots for a second time.

Get ready Indianapolis, it's time to fill the void that one Manning left with the presence of another; it may not be the sibling you were hoping for, but family is there for one another no matter what. To read more on Peyton Manning check out http://www.thepostgame.com/node/4452 the article that triggered this blog post.

-Sarah Kirk