New York Knicks Getting Popular in Asia Through Jeremy Lin’s Inclusion

New York Knicks Point Guard Jeremy Lin rising popularity is making the Knicks must-see TV in Asia.

The NBA says its Asian TV partners have added Knicks games to their broadcast schedules following the emergence of Lin, the first American-born NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent.

Sina in China will show Friday’s game against the Lakers, while stations in Taiwan will televise Knicks games this month against Toronto, Sacramento, New Orleans, New Jersey and Atlanta. ESPN Philippines also added the Feb. 17 Hornets game in New York.

Lin, an undrafted guard from Harvard, has led the Knicks to three straight wins, scoring more than 20 points in each game.

Ironically, his performances are missed by many in New York. A dispute between Time Warner Cable and MSG Network is keeping the Knicks off that system.

MSG said its ratings are up 36 percent over its season average in the two games since Lin moved into the starting lineup on Monday.

by Ismail Uddin