One Man’s Dump Is Another Man’s Treasure
By Sonet Yee
Remember when all those screaming Asian girls were packing the gym to see the one of the few Asians to make it into the NBA? No? I don’t either, but it was a great heartwarming story to hear about Jeremy Lin. Let’s be real for a second. As many as Asians are on this planet, there are only a few if any real Asians that can play in the NBA. The sport wasn’t made for them (I can say this because I too am Asian and play ball). Asians bodies aren’t tall enough (Yao is a freak), not strong enough (look at most Asians who have came and gone) and aren’t skilled enough (did you see those switching hands by Lin?!?!!?). So when Lin broke into the league and was able to keep a hot seat on an NBA team (yes, our very own Warriors!) it was a great story. He went to Harvard and grew up in Palo Alto, CA. He was a local boy, a local hero, a local Asian boy who grew up rooting for his hometown team and now would be playing in it.
Life as a rookie isn’t all it seems. For stars, life in the NBA is a totally different level. Life as a rookie, you’re picking up food for the vets, getting the bags and being the brunt of the jokes (though that may have been different for LBJ and Derrick Rose). Lin was no exception. No drafted, he was picked up by the Warriors. And he didn’t see much to show for much. He only played in 29 games, averaging about 10 minutes and only averaged 2.6 points per game. He spent more time down in the D-League than with the major league club. It was probably hard, depressing and more importantly, the fans wanted a heartwarming story and they didn’t get one. So when the Warriors let him walk, only the die hard Warrior and Jeremy Lin fans were crying. Secretly, I had hoped he would return because he has potential, but with the team in chaotic mess, it was only appropriate that he was let go.
It was by chance New York picked him up. And he is taking full advantage of his opportunity. In his first start for the Knicks who are without Amare Stoudamire and Carmelo Anthony, Lin led the charge. With Baron Davis still sidelined, Lin is making the case of staying and being a productive Knick. It started against New Jersey on Saturday when he scored 25 points, grabbed five boards and dished out seven assists. In his first start on Monday against the Utah Jazz, Lin scored 28 points and dished out eight assists while geting two steals. And he picked up right where he left on Wednesday. In his second start, he poured in 23 points, dished out 10 assists, grabbed four boards and even put down a dunk! That was only one of his highlight as he split the defense, switch hands and made a lay-up on the other side of the bucket!
The real question is, did the Warriors let a diamond in the rough go without a fight. Granted, those three games have been against crappy teams, as he has yet to perform this great teams, but his emergence has been a great story. I am more than happy for him and I wish him the best of luck in the coming future. Let’s just hope he doesn’t tear it up agains the Warriors.
I’ve linked a couple of great articles on the emergence of Lin below: