Introducing … the Shot Clock

You may have noticed a lack of gossip in Metro’s sports pages recently.

Why? Well, it’s complicated, to quote the great Tom Haverford.

Looking to end all that now, let’s take a unbiased (read:biased) look at what we’re following in a new segment we’re calling Shot Clock. So put 24 seconds up on the clock and begin …

LIN-SANE IN THE MEMBRANE.

Jeremy Lin is the feel-good story of the year. He’s defying all odds, getting ESPN headline writers fired and — perhaps the most amazing part — he’s made the New York Knicks relevant again. Not even Mike D’Antoni can screw this thing up, can he?

Now, the babes are lining up. Lin has been romantically linked to Kim Kardashian. Stalked by Nicki Minaj. And worn by Sarah Palin. “What an American stooooooory,” Palin said (that’s a written attempt at her awful Fargo accent). Makes sense … remember, just like Kim K., Palin also has a storied history with basketball players.

“Stuff about me dating Kim Kardashian, I mean, I have no idea where that came from and all these other rumors,” Lin told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols. “I’m not sure I’m her type.”

Play it cool, Lincredible. If we were you, we’d probably make the call, though.

WELCOME, PITCHERS AND CATCHERS … AND WAGS.

Spring training kicked off for most teams this past weekend, with pitchers and catchers making the trip to sunny Florida. The geniuses over at BustedCoverage blasted through long toss and gave us what we all want to see: Hottest Baseball Wives to Watch in 2012.

Several Phillies highlight this year’s crop of beauties. Laynce Nix is married to a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. And no Eagles fans, it’s not OK to boo. Even Buddy Ryan would stand up and cheer for Brooke. Hunter Pence is dating a Playboy Playmate by the name of Shannon James. And second-year reliever Michael Schwimer has cashed in early with bikini model Missy Coles.

We hope to catch up with the lovely couples at the Chic-A-Boom Room this spring.

JAWS RAKING IN THE DOUGH.

Ron Jaworski was kicked out of his lofty perch in the Monday Night Football broadcast booth last week. But don’t cry for him, Philadelphia. Jaws actually got a five-year extension with ESPN and an “expanded role.” The former Eagles QB told Mike Missanelli that he’s laughing all the
way to the bank. Scrooge McDuck style.

“They put me in a position that is really, really good in giving me the platforms to develop some of my own programming to do some things that I’ve always wanted to do,” Jaworski told 97.5 The Fanatic Monday. “And at the end of the day, they’re paying me a lot of money, so I can’t argue with any of that.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIHANNA.

This will be a recurring topic in this space, since Rihanna is near and dear to our hearts.

The pop star celebrated her 24th birthday Monday and is expected to release a remix of her new single, “Birthday Cake,” before the day is over. Ahh, here’s the rub RiRi fans … the remix is rumored to feature an appearance by her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.

“I can’t believe I’m pullin an all nighter on my BDAY!!!,” Rihanna wrote via Twitter late Sunday.

Rihanna and Brown exchanged tweets earlier in the day and everything — including all those slugs to the face — seem to be blood under the bridge. Mere love taps, we suppose. The remix is said to include sexually explicit content. And why wouldn’t it be, judging by this gem that appeared in Rolling Stone last March:

“I haven’t gotten a d**k picture in a long time,” Rihanna told Rolling Stone. “I think people are a little afraid. It can turn out bad.”

VIDEO OF THE DAY

This will either be from the sports world or entertainment, or a combination. Today’s showcase comes courtesy of Jezebel, by way of Hypetrak.