Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin are two of the most talked about athletes in sports and this year has shown why, as the point guard signed a new contract with the Rockets, while the New York Jets quarterback languishes away as his team tries to trade him.
Both players are polarizing figures in each of their sports, as they each elicit strong opinions from players and fans around each sport, with many feeling that each is overrated. Lin came out nowhere last year with the Knicks and turned that into a big contract, while Tebow had his time with the Denver Broncos before making his way to the Jets.
Lin started off the season struggling, but later in the season he has changed things around and he has been playing stellar defense and solid on the ball to help Houston as the playoffs approach. The team started off 8-3 in March and has pressed on into April and the team in now seventh in the West ahead of the Lakers and one game behind the Warriors in the playoff standings.
Lin has put up some double-double games recently and he has developed a nice relationship with James Harden, giving the Rockets a foundation for the future as they move forward. Lin has found a nice balance of when to be aggressive at the point and when to get the ball to Harden so he can create shots.
The Rockets are ranked high in scoring and assists this season and one reason is due to the play of Lin. The team is now 42-33 and ranks first in the NBA in scoring with over 105 points per game and the team is in the top 10 in both rebounding and assists. Harden is leading in scoring, but Lin has been great with the gall, averaging over six assists per game.
Tebow has not had the chance to play like Lin has and the Jets never allowed him to get on the field, as he gained just 102 yards rushing and 39 yards passing last year. The team has desperately been trying to trade him, but so far nothing has happened yet. He proved that he can play in the NFL by going 8-6 as a starter and taking his team to a division title and the playoffs, but he has never gotten a fair shake.
There were a number of teams that he could have went to, but the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills all signed or traded for other quarterbacks. Tebow possesses and interesting set of skills and if the right coach could use them in the right way, he could be an NFL success.
Both Lin and Tebow have had a lot to overcome from fans, scouts and other players, but so far both have risen to the occasion.
