When the original rosters were released, Jeremy Lin was not included because he hadn't really played all that much. He'd had about two or three marquee performances and hadn't quite yet taken the league by storm. He was a curiosity.
Yet somehow, the league found a way for Kenny the Jet Smith, Commissioner of this BBVA Rising Stars contest, to add in two wild-card spots; one for the rookies, one for the sophomores. Amazingly, they found room to put Linsanity into the game. What a shocker!
Lin was the third pick overall, going over to Team Shaq, as Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley were picking the teams for this game. And he's on a team full of exciting young players.
Here is the roster for Team Shaq.
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves
Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons
Markieff Morris, Phoenix Suns
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats
Norris Cole, Miami Heat
Landry Fields, New York Knicks
Tristan Thompson, Cleveland Cavaliers
Brandon Knight, Detroit Pistons
Here's the roster for Team Charles.
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
John Wall, Washington Wizards
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Derrick Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Tiago Splitter, San Antonio Spurs
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers
Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz
Marshon Brooks, New Jersey Nets
To discuss Linsanity with Knicks fans, head on over to Posting and Toasting.