A team again

The Knicks are a team again.

They haven't been one for a while. We've brought in a couple of superstars recently, but we lacked role players, depth, and the ever-underrated team chemistry. That's all changed. It's almost like a miracle. While I've enjoyed every minute of the Linsanity - watching his immense talent on the floor and seeing how he conducts himself with remarkable humility - I've been most impressed by how this team is coming together under his leadership, now playoff bound - and perhaps even more following the defeat of the NBA's defending champion Mavs on Sunday.

We love a good underdog story. We love miracles. We eat that stuff up. But what I've found interesting is how Lin's humility and selfless character are just as appealing to us - if not more. In Lin, we see someone who deflects the attention off himself and points it right back at you - whether you're a teammate, a coach, a fan, a friend or relative, an opponent, or God. Jeremy Lin's story is amazing to us because of the fact that he sees so much more to the story than just himself.

Why I love Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin has me and a lot of people excited about the Knicks again. The team has won their last three games - and much of the playing time went to Jeremy and the reserves during that span. I have a natural affinity toward Jeremy because of his Christian faith and the fact that he's an Asian-American. But for me, the labels are not what defines Jeremy Lin.

And while I've been extremely impressed by his first step and the ease in which he attacks the basket, I've been much more impressed by how much better he makes his teammates and how strikingly mature his attitude is for someone his age. Jeremy Lin has Tyson Chandler playing at another level. And he's turned Novak into an offensive weapon. He just seems to have a sense of what the best play is everytime he comes down the court. And even though he's scored well over 20pts per game during the last three games, he plays with an unselfish attitude (averaging 8 assists during the same span). Even though it's only been three games, it just seems like Jeremy Lin is the perfect fit for the starting point guard position with this group of players and D'Antoni's offensive system.

Naturally, a lot of the questions that Jeremy has been getting in post-game interviews have been directed on himself. Yet somehow he rarely talks about himself. Instead he thanks God for the opportunity to play and he gives a ton of props to his teammates and his coaches - even naming specific assistant coaches. This is what impresses me the most about Jeremy. Although blowing by John Wall (again) and two other defenders for a thunderous dunk is pretty impressive, too.

Guastavino grandeur

Much of the architecture in this city is so unmistakably New York - even if their elements have homes in other cities. One architect who fits this bill is Rafael Guastavino. I'll never get bored or uninspired staring up at his vaults. They have the power to make you forget about everything else around you.

As a contemporary of Gaudi (another one of my favorite architects), Guastavino didn't believe in subtlety, and saw form and function as equals in this world. Whether you're treating your eyes to one of his subway stations or dining at a restaurant with his vaults swooping over your shoulders, you're filled with a deep sense of beauty and grandeur. Guastavino somehow - and miraculously - isn't overstated.

But with a wink, he reminds us to keep our heads up.

Chefs abundant

Turn on the TV to Food Network and there's a strong chance you'll see a New York City-based chef. Many of the contestants and judges on Chopped are restaurateurs and executive chefs in restaurants across the city. And the newest Iron Chef America is none other than Chef Geoffrey Zakarian of The National and The Lamb's Club. But right up there - in terms of prominence - is Marcus Samuelsson.

Even before trying his food, Marcus is intriguing for a couple of reasons. He seems to have that pioneering spirit. He's highly attributed for the advent of modern Scandinavian cuisine during his years at Aquavit, a New York City legend. And now he's heading up Red Rooster, arguably the best of the current Harlem restaurant renaissance. I also love Marcus' multi-ethnic background, which reflects the incomparable diversity of the city. His Ethiopian heritage and Swedish upbringing have both informed his approach to cooking.

I don't watch a ton of TV, but I do find myself watching a lot of Food Network lately. And watching these guys - whether they're competing to win $10,000 on Chopped or to become the next Iron Chef America - makes me feel right at home.

Christmas time at Blackrock

I'm not a huge fan of corporate Christmas - especially when dollars are spent on useless holiday decorations. But I was admittedly drooling when I saw this display at the Blackrock building on 53rd Street. There were more than half a dozen scenes connected to form a magnificent bear village. It was like a secular nativity scene - and really the epitome of another pet peeve of mine: commercialized Christmas. Yet I enjoyed the display thoroughly. I think it's because everything the bears were doing, I want to do. Relaxing with a piping hot cup of coffee at Starbears Coffee, pan-roasting fish over open flame, and frolicking in the snow. In short, what I often mistakenly view as the good life. These are good things, but we've gotten so far from the original meaning of Christmas. These stuffed bears only reinforce what my pastor has said the season is all about. Not the virgin birth, but the fact that we go our own way.

Winter's Eve

All it takes is a random stroll through Winter's Eve to realize how ridiculously spoiled we are as New Yorkers. Not only do we have access to every cuisine imaginable from some of the world's finest chefs, but we even have sidewalk access at times while Arlo Guthrie performs outdoors just 3 blocks away. Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square is a great way to introduce passersby to restaurants they may have passed over. Last week, over a dozen restaurants lined the slab of concrete that snakes around the Time Warner Center. I enjoyed Sapphire's Tikka Masala, and my daughter was devouring the mac & cheese croquettes that we picked up at another booth. The restaurant's name escapes me. But the night won't.

Marathon musings

It's really hard to miss the NYC Marathon when it comes storming into town every year. The 26.2 course cuts through all five boroughs. Almost every year when I see the runners, I think to myself how I'd love to run the marathon one day. I wonder if one day I'm able to overcome my tendinitis, torn meniscus, and general laziness and finally enter the race. But as a spectator, I'm already hugely blessed to be a part of the marathon. If people could take all the amazing dynamics that are at work during marathons and apply it to everyday life, New York would be a much better place. Take for instance who's running. It's not like watching Track & Field at the Olympics where you only see the best of the best. The marathoners, on the other hand, are a hodge podge of super athletes, weekend warriors, average folks, and even the physically disabled. None of these labels matter on Marathon Day. But every single one of them is inspiring to watch. The NYC Marathon is an equalizer in many ways. What if we approached our careers and social lives the same way? There's also a dynamic among strangers that is rarely seen in other situations. Strangers cheering on strangers. As a spectator something compels you to root for people you don't know, people you'll never see again. And as a runner you feed off of that. Sure, being cheered on by your wife, kids or best friend is a powerful thing. But when a stranger genuinely cheers you on and wants you to succeed, you're filled with an enormous sense of gratitude that is hard to match. I've long viewed the U.S. Open as my favorite spectator sporting event. But this year, the marathon reminded me that it's so much more than just a sporting event. It's a blueprint for something far greater.