After at least one friend (ahem, Jazz Shaw!) accused me of taking an unfair approach to the president yesterday, I thought I’d say a few kind words about the leader of the free world today. Jazz said my post about the POTUS’ Valentine’s Day advice did Obama an injustice. After all, the president didn’t actually tell guys to “go big” beyond what they can afford; he just said to “go big.” When you really think about that advice, it’s quite sweet. I just couldn’t help drawing a connection between Obama’s advice and the way he “goes big” every day as president.

At any rate, today, I unreservedly agree with the president’s assessment of New York Knicks phenomenon, Jeremy Lin, who has scored more points in his first six career starts than any player since the merger of the NBA and the ABA. The president is impressed, and I say the president’s appreciation of athleticism speaks well of the president:

Lin drained a three-point shot with half a second left to propel the Knicks to a 90-87 win over the Toronto Raptors Tuesday night. The undrafted Harvard point guard was living on his brother’s couch and fighting for a roster spot just two weeks ago, but after a spate of injuries gave him an opportunity for playing time, the Palo Alto native took the league by storm. The Knicks are undefeated since he began starting for the team, and President Obama – who continues to regularly play pickup basketball games with friends – is impressed.

“It’s just a great story, and the President was saying as much this morning.  It’s obviously terrific for the New York Knicks, but it’s the kind of sports story that transcends the sport itself,” Carney said.

Carney did not mention whether the president had reached out to the rising star, although declared Obama “very impressed and fully up to speed.”

Excellence in any realm is inspiring. Even though superiority in one area of life frequently leads to imbalance in another (why did Tiger Woods have to spoil the “proof” I thought he offered that it’s possible to be the very best professionally and personally?) — athletes at the top of their game are always a reminder to strive for more. “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”

Exit question: Is it fair to compare Jeremy Lin to Tim Tebow?