SO THIS JEREMY LIN CHARACTER just won't seem to go away, huh?

Good.

Stories like this represent everything I love in the world of sports. I love watching franchises build themselves into contenders. I love watching the big market teams waste money. I love watching the small market teams come close to being relevant, only to have them torn asunder by some homegrown superstar's expiring contract.

The underdog always compels us as humans. Well, they should anyways. There's always a small pocket of humanity unmoved by the unassuming becoming unignorable, i.e. Floyd Mayweather.

Beyond those who will hate this story for the sake of hating something- anything- there is the chance to witness a real life David confronting Goliath. In this case, Jeremy Lin against every NBA team that passed on him. And hell, while we're at it throw in all the collegiate basketball programs that wouldn't entertain a scholarship offer- D-1 to D-3- for the man now momentarily credited with resurrecting one of the most historical franchises in basketball.

(Not for nothing: what does it say about the Knicks over the last 15 years if all it takes to be 'resurrected' is a .500 record?)

Lin's story reminds of us of all the times we were told 'no' by somebody and listened. Lin isn't the first rags to riches story in sports. He probably won't be the last. But while this phenomenon plays out in the biggest city with the grandest arena we all should enjoy it. After all, if the kid goes 2-12 with 5 turnovers in a blowout loss to a sub-par team, the ride will be over. The naysayers impossible to ignore anymore.

But they won't be right. If nothing else, Lin has reignited more hope in this petty little winning streak than any front office transaction could. The NBA is better with the Knicks competitive. That is just plain fact.

And if it's the unknown kid nobody wanted that leads them back to relevance so be it. It sure does make things interesting.