‘Linsanity’ in America
Jeremy Lin FTW?
Leave it to the NY Knicks to catapult the first Taiwanese NBA player to national stardom. Of course, if Jeremy Lin wasn’t already famous for being the first person of his ethnicity to play in the critically acclaimed league (otherwise known as David Stearns’ personal hobby); then he is now, if only solely for being compared to Tim Tebow. If you haven’t already heard, Lin is a backup point guard for the Knicks. He played college ball at Harvard and has been bouncing around the NBA and playing on franchise D-League teams for 2yrs. Lin’s contract (potentially worth a measly $800k) with the Knicks wasn’t even guaranteed until late Tuesday. So what is the “hub-bub?” With Carmelo Anthony injured and Amare Stoudemire on hiatus do to the tragic death of his brother; the Knicks needed bodies badly. With few options, the team pulled up Lin from their D-League team where he had been playing well; in two games with extended minutes, Lin averaged 26.5 points, 7.5 assists, 2 steals and 4.5 turnovers. That’s not too shabby. However, could Lin perform with higher caliber opponents?
As an un-drafted player coming from Harvard, you would think Lin would be the last person to take the NBA by storm. However, in under a week, that is what Jeremy Lin has done. In his first start ever for the Knicks, Lin scored a career high 28 pts; in the second game, he showed up John Wall (Wizards) who was last years number one draft choice. Lin had 23 points and 10 assists in New York’s road victory over a struggling Washington team.
Lin has ignited a fire in the hearts of fans everywhere; in Washington, the crowd booed as he exited the game with his second foul. The crowd also reacted with cheers when Lin was able to score and drive on their home team. What a weird experience that must have been for the Wizards. I would be so embarrassed to be on a professional team where our fans at home cheered on our opponents. What the hell?!
So, what else is interesting about this story? You mean besides the already apparent “Linsanity,” the comparisons to Tim Tebow, his outperforming Deron Williams and John Wall; no team thought this was possible. Lin was cut from the Warriors and the Rockets, just to find a home in New York as a 4th string point guard. Biding his time, Lin worked hard and slept in his brother’s living room. Oh yeah, Lin does not have his own place; he sleeps in his brother’s living room in NY. I find that kind or ironic. Even more ironic is the tweet by Rockets’ GM, Daryl Morey, after Lin’s recent performances: “We should have kept @JLin7. Did not know he was this good. Anyone who says they knew misleading U.”
Other than this being a nice little “Cinderella Story,” I think it symbolizes some very interesting characteristics of our nation. How is it that a player can perform well in three games and he already is being gimmicked? Other than Tebow, I personally can’t think of anyone else who has done this recently. However, even Tebow was hyped coming out of college; Lin was nobody. I’m not hating on Jeremy at all; I think it is great that he is doing well, and I hope it continues. I really think it is just awful what our media does in these situations. The only reasons there is so much coverage is because the American people eat these kind of stories up (just like our McDonald’s, donuts, Starbuck’s coffee and whatever other bullsh*t you can think of). The sport’s writers can’t pump out articles about this kid fast enough to satisfy the curiosity of every guy who watched ESPN this week. “Who is Lin? I’ve gotta know what’s going on! What’s the scoop man? I don’t want to be the last guy at the water cooler to know it, or the last in my fantasy league to pick him up!” It so vexing; suddenly people give a sh*t about this kid? Give me a break, it’s just like bandwagon fans for teams; it’s just bandwagon support for a formerly dismissed player. From everything I have read and seen; Lin seems like a very humble, smart, and nice young man. I hope he continues to be successful; but would it kill you to back up off the guy and let him breath? Geez!
-The Shocker
