Once the football season ended the sports world was in desperate need to fill the shoes left by one of the most polarizing sport figures of all time, Tim Tebow. I didn't take long for Jeremy Lin to step into the spot light.

Once a bench player, no one had heard of the former Harvard standout. It only took an injury from All Star Carmelo Anthony to give Jeremy Lin his opportunity to shine. At only 6' 3", which is very small when it comes to an NBA player, many people expected Lin to just be a bandaid until the return of Anthony.

He was much more than a temporary fill in. In his first 6 games as a starter Lin was averaging 28 points per game. More importantly the New York Knicks were winning. He was even giving the last shot against the Raptors and delivered the game winner with less than a second remaining.

Jeremy Lin was no longer the unknown bench player. Linsanity was on the rise, potentially on the path to reach the immense popularity of Tebowmania. It is still uncertain if Lin could deliver performances that could match the cardiac finishes of Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos.

Even though both players are dominating the conversation in their respective sports their stories are quite different. Tebow was known as one of the greatest college players of all time. Many believed then and still believe now his style of play will never translate to success in the NFL. Jeremy Lin on the other hand came in as a complete unknown. He was not expected to succeed, but he no one really talked about him not belonging in the professional basketball.

Both players have a strong religious backgrounds. Tebow wears his on his sleeve and always thanks God before each press conference. Lin takes a much more conservative approach.

Nike even believes Lin's popularity will increase to a Tebow-like level. They plan to release his shoes and extend his contract to lock the New York Knick phenom, ensuring he doesn't go with the companies competitors.

A few months ago you couldn't turn on the television or radio without hearing some conversation about Tim Tewbow. Now in the football of season expect Linsanity to take over the conversation. We all know that in this country that football is king and always will be. Jeremy Lin could be the fresh new story that turns our eyes in the the little brother of the NFL and gets our eyes focused on basketball, at lest until big brother comes home from vacation.