Jeremy Lin, whose stratospheric rise to NBA superstardom was dubbed "Linsanity" by the same media outlets who'd later declare it dead, has been sidelined for arthroscropic surgery to repair "a small, chronic meniscal tear" in his left knee, reports CBS Sports' Ben Golliver. The recovery for such a procedure is a minimum of six weeks, meaning Lin could be out for the remainder of the New York Knicks' 2012 season. Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson called the development "a big blow" to the team, according to a tweet from The New York Times' Howard Beck.

Lin, who has been absent from the court for the Knicks' last three games, has issued the following statements, relayed via the team's Twitter feed:

Lin: "I want to be out there helping the team. It's a 6 week rehab process but I heal quickly so we'll see." #Knicks

— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) March 31, 2012

Lin: "When I come back I'll be stronger than I ever was and a better player." #Knicks

— NBA New York Knicks (@nyknicks) March 31, 2012

   UPDATE:    Lin's press conference on his injury:

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Seth Abramovitch