- Jeremy will be visiting Taiwan in August: Jeremy Lin to return to Taiwan within the week - The China Post
- Rockets current salaries: Houston Rockets Team Salary | HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors
- Asian American, Natalie Nakase, is the first woman to coach men's pro ball in Japan. Her goal is to coach in the NBA and JLin is an Linspiration to her. I'm a little late on this one as she has already been let go, but very compelling story: Nakase says goal is to coach in NBA | The Japan Times Online
- Memo to Scott Machado, Jeremy Lin's college stats were better than yours, look it up. Also, Lin's assist ratio is better than Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Kyrie Irving, and Steph Curry while equal to Deron Williams. I guess Machado feels he is more of "real point guard" than of all of them.
- A poem - Lin 467 to the Future:
- The Admiral, David Robinson on JLin (added 11:53pm 7/30/12): http://crossroadstoday.com/pages/13852484.php?collectionId=919&videoEpisodeId=42467
Monday, July 30, 2012
Jeremy Lin Visiting Taiwan and other LiNews
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Ah! Basketball is your life. ~ ~ ~ Playing for God.
ReplyDeleteIs Jeremy's contract guaranteed?
ReplyDeleteDavid Robinson said he is a big Jeremy Lin fan and thinks he was the Most Valuable guy in the franchise. The Admiral knows what he is talking about!
ReplyDeletehttp://crossroadstoday.com/David-Robinson-Reacts-to-Jeremy-Lin/13852484
The Admiral got it right on when he said that Jeremy Lin is a winner. Jeremy makes guys around him better, dominates with his skills, and mentally wills a team into winning. He is a special player. True leadership is rarely found even among superstars.
DeleteWith JLin as the center piece of the team next season, I expect there will be a different type of Linsanity. JLin will do even more amazing things. I can see some sort of record being broken again.
NBA legends who are on-the-record fans of Lin's game:
Delete-Magic Johnson
-Kobe Bryant
-Steve Nash
-Kevin McHale
-Bob Cousy
-David Robinson
Yet most NBA fans and writers would rather side with Stephen A. Smith, Larry Brown and some guy on Bleacher Report. Haha, oh man...you can't make this stuff up.
yes, it's amazing to see how people choose to trust journalists with personal agendas over Hall-Of-Famers who know more about basketball.
DeleteIt really shows jealousy trumps logic.
Thanks for the link, Psalm234.
ReplyDeleteThe Admiral is the man. Glad to know he is JLin's fan.
Jeremy needs to learn how to use his size to his advantage. At 6'-3.5" 200 lbs, he's bigger than most point guards like Rondo, Chris Paul, Ty Lawson, etc. Yet he's still trying to use his speed to beat quick guards, something that worked at the college level, but is not going to work in the NBA.
ReplyDeleteHe has size, he's building more muscle, use it to post up and shoot over smaller guys.
I totally agree that JL should post up more and have commented about that before. I think he only did it a couple times -- once against Jennings and once or twice against Isaiah Thomas (who actually gave him fits in garbage time pre-Linsanity).
DeleteThat said, it's not that Jeremy *can't* blow by elite NBA point guards (he can blow by anyone...and other quick PGs can blow by him). It's just that he's wasting one of his prime assets -- his size and strength.
As you said, it would be a major equalizer against the likes of elite short PGs like CP3 and Lawson and elite skinny PGs like Rondo and Westbrook. But Houston will have to run specific plays to get him the ball in post-up situations.
(BTW, Jeremy now weighs 212 lbs. according to Doc Scheppler and is 6-4+ in shoes)
We all did see flashes of Jeremy Lin using those inside moves to bully opponents inside.
DeleteIt was Eric who astutely pointed out here that Lin has some very advanced dead ball moves.
Forunately, Lin is going to be learning from one of the greatest all time players and teachers of post up play in Kevin McHale.
If Lin could learn McHale's up-and-under-with stepthrough, it's OVER for guys inside. That's the move McHale used to score on Kareem Abdul Jabbar in a Lakers Celtics 87 highlight.
Funny that even though Lin is larger than most PGs in the NBA, I STILL see and hear comments from commentators/analysts/fans that Lin is scrawny, weak, not strong enough by NBA standards etc.
DeleteStill can't look past the asian I guess.
Asik has the same contract value as JLin as the highest paid. Is Asik or JLin more of an asset to the Rockets, I wonder. Checking the YouTube highlights of Asik, I have to say he's got one mean game. He's not afraid of using his size to clear out space, and once once he does power dunking it. He also moves well without the ball. And of course the length and blocking. Perhaps JLin can learn a bit about using his size to overpower smaller players from Asik!
ReplyDeleteAny time I see a power guy like Asik, I worry about that player injuring himself and missing significant portions of time.
DeleteI expect Kevin McHale to teach Asik how to pick his spots. It's not always wise to play power basketball on every possession. Nobody, not even Shaq, could hold up to that kind of pounding for a full NBA season.
Yeah, Asik is a very talented player, who was underused by the Chicago Bulls. I wonder how Jeremy will interact with him off the court. Omer Asik, being from Turkey, is probably a Muslim (Don't know if he's fundamentalist).
DeleteLin is a super-evangelical Christian, and who might constantly preach Jesus and shove a bible in front of his face. This could anger a Muslim person, and create chemistry issues.
I hope Jeremy knows how to interact with non-Christian people and respect other people's beliefs without judging them. Being from a Chinese-American, he should have some experience with this because many in his community are Buddhist or Atheist.
@ABCBaller, I don't think we need to worry about Jeremy proselytizing to his teammates in such a way that will be a turnoff and destroy the chemistry with his teammates.
DeleteIf anything, Jeremy's quiet faith is actually an asset because Lin credited his parents with teaching him to play "godly basketball," which measures success by sportsmanship, not stats. That means putting teammates first and showing respect to opponents and referees.
He has shown this by repeatedly sharing credits to his teammates for their success, asking his teammates to turn off TV showing non-stopping Linsanity highlights, and even picking up his teammates trash on the airplanes in attempt to keep him humble and build a good relationship with his teammates.
I am a Christian myself and I support Jeremy's way of sharing his faith more by his actions rather than words. If you listened to his recent Houston press conference when asked about what he can bring to Houston, Jeremy indicated he is going to try his best to be a humble leader and to serve his teammates. His faith called him to serve his teammates and not to boss them around so I think we're safe here.
Until we hear the news that Jeremy forces his teammates to wear Bible verses and say "Hail Linsanity", I don't think we have something to worry about here :)
For a good insight to understand how Jeremy's faith helps his approach to his game and how it is a bit different than Tebow, here is the link:
http://www.faithvillage.com/article/3ae5d7c81eab4f51ae904bf0e84761da/new_york_knicks_jeremy_lin_dubbed_the_taiwanese_tebow?return=%2Fsearch-site%2F%2BLin
I truly believe he wants to share his stories how God helped him during his ups-and-downs but he won't force people to believe in his God.
After watching Asik's NBA.com videos on his defensive skills, I can see that his size and length could be intimidating. But his athleticism and explosiveness leaves a lot to be desired, especially when we are used to see how well Tyson Chandler played with Jeremy.
DeleteAnd his offensive skills, especially pick-and-roll is definitely a long-term project. He does not look like a natural yet in P&R. Jeremy still needs a lot of help to execute P&R offense next season.
On the plus side, I'm surprised he looks like a much faster version of Luc Longley :) so if Longley can help MJ won championships, there's hope for Asik.
lol he does look like luc longley.
DeleteAsik blocks Chandler at 5:55
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCLBAho0THo
According to Bulls fans, Asik has trouble catching passes (though we shouldn't automatically trust the assumptions of fans/writers). In any case, he's there for defense, rebounding and putbacks...not to run the pick-and-roll with Jeremy.
DeleteUnless they get Dwight, JL's go-to big man will be at PF: either Patterson or Motiejunas. Unless Motiejunas is ready to be an NBA starter, I actually think Patterson could have a breakout season playing with Lin. He's really athletic, has a solid mid-range jumper, and most importantly, he can finish above the rim. He can pick and roll OR pick and pop.
For all the talk about Jeremy Lin not being a "pure point guard", there is one statistic that means MORE than any individual statistic that Jeremy Lin does.
DeleteLandry Fields and Steve Novak walked off to BIG paydays from having improved their games by playing for Jeremy Lin. Novak in particular was a minimum wager until Lin found him in the corner.
I posted here before that adding Jeremy Lin was actually adding 2 or more players, based on how much guys get better from playing and learning from him.
"...even picking up his teammates trash on the airplanes"
DeleteHe should not pick-up after others. [There's so many other ways JLin can show humility.]
There's a reason menial tasks are assigned to rookies, that is, newbies, BOYS not yet accepted in the circle of men. The thing is, rookies have an excuse: they are forced to do the undignified. To volunteer willingly though...His team mates may not understand the context by w/c he is doing it. It can easily look like appeasement. or worst, since being an asian man burdens him with certain stereotypes, he looks servile. [It's not like he can counter this by smacking the h out of someone on the court, or some other uber-masculine type activity. Religious restriction prevents a lot of those.]
At the least, he looks like someone lacking boldness, unable take his share of privileges. Also, someone overly fearful of other people's opinions. [If he does not care about Linsanity, don't. Be indifferent.]
Overly humbling oneself can only earn contempt from the Alphas in the locker room. They respect aggression, not asceticism. They would sooner respect a trash-talking bullying self-centered ahole than someone overly conscientious & diffident. Rookies might like him for a while bec he's not stuck-up, but they will come to despise him, for they themselves aspire to ascend the power hierarchy. At the least, they will not put themselves on the line to support him should there be a riff in the locker room. Bec men follow warriors, not self-abnegators [w/c appeals more to feminine values.] They will also come to feel at par with him, & he'll be constantly open to their challenge.
Well, it depends on the individuals Lin works with.
DeleteMost good guys would appreciate those good qualities and even help out with trash removal. There is no humiliation in being a gentleman. At least that's how it is in my line of work.
Of course, repeat offenders should be hit.with "Pick up after yourself!"
I see that.
DeleteI'm just thinking this is testosterone central, not the odd office, lab, church or university.
Thug life.
I agree.
DeleteBut I actually work in a "thug life" atmosphere where testosterone rules.
In such settings, being a gentleman is utterly important.
You might be over-estimating honor & decency in the NBA. Some of these guys have the maturity of high-school boys.
DeleteBe humble, but choose how. It's easy for actions to be misread. He's no longer a rookie, he can choose.
Some acts, if they look like appeasement, simply invites bullying.
It's bad enough that people can't unsee the asian stereotype, he doesn't have to compound things by engaging in what might be construed as servile acts. There lots & lots of other ways to be humble.
Melo & JR don't respect him [can't respect him,] that's why they felt free to mouth off. They could have been jealous yet stay silent, but they just didn't GAF. & Others follow their cue.
[Some people were talking about "soft Cali boys" in the Nyk locker room before.]
"If you know Melo, you know he is big on having players earn their stripes when they come into the NBA. He orders rookies to carry equipment and, occasionally, his bag. He believes status is something you earn over time, as you prove yourself in the league over the course of a season or two. So Lin's ascension into stardom and as a main face of the franchise is, without question, something Melo has tried to counter with some humble pie. That's been going on in the NBA for decades."
Deletehttp://www.msg.com/blogs/alan-hahn/the-knicks-fix--decision-on-lin-sparks-heated-debate.html
I don't think there's anyrhing wrong with how LIN approach the 'prima donna' in Melo and Smith. My advise to LIN :
DeleteDo not waste your life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.
"In such settings, being a gentleman is utterly important."
DeleteAs a fan, as a Christian, I'm impressed & admire JLin's humility. But it takes too much faith to hope these guys will actually appreciate his 'gentleman'-liness. Some might, but most are spoiled-brats who are simply looking for the slighest reason to turn others on him.
We don't stick the Bible to a non Christian'face; we only start proselytizing to pre-believers that receptive to the gospel. We don't want Jeremy to change just to fit into a mold of how the 'norm' behavior of NBA players.
DeleteTo Jeremy : Be what you are. This is the first step toward becoming better than you are.
"We don't want Jeremy to change just to fit into a mold of how the 'norm' behavior of NBA players."
Delete- It would be good to practise a bit of discernment, as opposed to engaging in indiscriminate humility.
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore BE WISE AS SERPENTS and harmless as doves."
Perhaps when he has fully established himself, it'll be cool to see him overturn the status quo. But at this point, he need to just focus on his game.
DeleteOk, just to be clear. I don't mean he should quit being humble & become an NBA ahole.
DeleteIt'll be good though if he could take into account the context within w/c he'll be operating, & choose the type behavior that will inspire these testosterone-drenched men to envision him as their leader.
The jungle has its own etiquette.
DeleteCarmelo Anthony's problem is that he has been SHIELDED from etiquette. Even Lebron James was thrashed by Jason Kidd and others until he became a gentleman. That's why Lebron is a worthy champion and Carmelo Anthony leads a lottery team.
Jeremy Lin has thrived in the jungle because he's a gentleman. Because Jeremy Lin has never been coddled, he is a gentleman to everybody. That causes good players to embrace him and bad players to shun him.
When Larry Bird was on the set of Space Jam with Michael Jordan, MJ had his own little cooler with "his stuff".
Over the terrified protests of everyone, Bird went into that cooler and started handing out all of MJ's stuff to the crews and custodians. Bird said "Aren't we all one family here?"
MJ never said a word, as he never went in that cooler anyway. Bird continued to hand out MJ's stuff.
JUNGLE RULES - be a gentleman or LOSE.
I'm all for JLin being a gentleman. You can be a gentleman without messing with the trash. [C'mon, how hard is this?]
Delete"Jeremy Lin has thrived in the jungle because he's a gentleman."
Well, people will go thru the motions of PC.
But he's getting piled on right now. & When the season starts, they'll fall all over each other to try injure him.
"That causes good players to embrace him and bad players to shun him."
Absolutely, good guys surely like him a lot. Just not enough to go to bat for him. I have no doubt Novak would still have defended Melo had they gotten JLin back in the team. He likes JLin, but he respects [fear] Melo's power.
JLin needs to inspire a certain type of respect, not be liked like a buddy you can take for granted.
They see him as a boy [Have you seen how Chandler cocks his head towards JLin when JLin speaks to him? Like how you would towards a precocious child. Chandler doesn't do that to Shump, who is younger.]
Being Asian, he needs to rev up the masculinity a few notches up to even be PERCEIVED to be at par with the other guys.
He needs to go easy on the menial Rookie tasks. Not everybody will see this as being gentlemanly, it can taint him as SUBMISSIVE. He can be humble some other way. [Like giving his ticket to a team mate - a grand, manly gesture.]
He need to cultivate an image that would allow these men to respect him as their equal & for his team mates to accept him as their leader.
@KHuang
DeleteI do agree with you, if it can come off as gentlemanly [as oppose to slavish,] awesome.
But you see how stupid asian stereotypes have complicated things in the past.
Of course.
DeleteHowever, my view is that negative stereotypes degrade only the people that hold them.
Every time Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith play the Knicks, Lin will be going right at them. That's the nature of the NBA jungle.
People are less likely to fire on others if they're not protected from being fired on.
No Asian man has to "rev up" his masculinity to appear equal to nonAsian men.
DeleteIn my life, I am just myself. I don't have to be more or less than the Asian American man I am. It works just fine for me, and Lin's doing the same thing.
Lin is doing just fine being Lin.
Well said, KHuang. Jeremy just needs to stay true to who he is.
DeleteThat's the reason people of all race (except the fools and jealous teammates) love him so don't change a thing.
@via, I understand your concern for Jeremy not to be perceived as a doormat being a 'weak' Asian-American or Christian but if you remember how upset Jeremy was at Melo or Amare at the end of NY-Milwaukee game when Melo forgot to block out Ilyasova who got the rebound and scored, Jeremy shows he can be tough when he needs to. I was actually worried at the time if he overstepped his bounds being the rookie to disrespect a senior All-Star teammate by yelling in public but it was just in the heat of the moment so that's fine.
And I wouldn't worry too much about reading Tyson Chandler's body language to cock his head down when talking to Jeremy as a sign of disrespect. He's kinda tall and I see it as a big bro-little bro thing since they're laughing things off. If Tyson starts putting down Jeremy in his comments along with this body language, that's a different thing.
@via wong, I don't think people need to "act" tough or act like many of the brats of the NBA to get respect. Everyone has their own style of leadership. But I would say this. A person has got to be firm and even pissed off if he/she going to get the short end of the stick.
DeleteA person should never settle for the typical, "oh, don't start a fight" or "just ignore it" mentality typically preached by Asian parents. If a person wants something or wants do something, just go out there and take it or do it. No one is going to stop us except ourselves.
Let me tell you an instance I ran into. I was on a basketball court one time, a bunch of black dudes were playing and after they finished, one crazy nut told me to go play with the other teams. Man, that pissed me off! I told that a-hole to get hell off the court if he doesn't want to play. I yelled at him so loud, all the black dudes looked at me and thought I was nuts. :) I chewed that dude out so bad, he sat quietly on the sidelines to watch and never looked my way. The next time the guy saw me there, he came over to apologise and shook my hand. And I'm by no means a good basketball player. :) The dude was 6'4", and I'm almost a foot shorter than him.
My point is, everyone should be themselves. As for the stereotypes others have, hell, they're just stereotypes. That never held me down. But I would say that learning to hold one's own is like anything else, it takes practice to be good at it. It's actually part of being a good leader.
As far as being shorter, what is the big deal? I look up to everyone I talk to almost. Humans come in all sizes, fat and wide, tall and skinny, etc. The most important asset is the mind. Arms and legs can be replaced, the body can get skinnier or fatter, but the mind, that is the greatest asset of all. If you know how to use it, there is nothing out there that can stop it. It is so true, people are only limited by what they think!
DeleteJeremy might be humble off court but he os a beast on court!
DeleteI've been saying repeatedly that Jeremy Lin is NOT HUMBLE.
DeleteInside, he thinks he can beat everybody. He doesn't say it, but his game and swagger reflect that.
Jeremy Lin is polite and respectful, but he's actually a cocky brash player whose in yo face style of play shows how unstoppable he thinks he is.
NBA players should always feel unstoppable when they step on a court. Yet they also have to be respectful and gentlemanly too. Having a cocky ego and being a gentleman are NOT OPPOSITE.
How we think shows through in how we act. Attitudes are mirrors of the mind. They reflect thinking.
Delete@KHuang
DeleteHowever, my view is that negative stereotypes degrade only the people that hold them.
- That a very noble [& unrealistic] way of thinking.
"No Asian man has to "rev up" his masculinity to appear equal to nonAsian men."
- Guys I'm not saying Asian men are unmasculine [why would I think this? My dad, uncles, bros, cousins...c'mon.]
What I'm saying is there is a FALSE PERCEPTION out there that will not die.
@Psalm234
"I was actually worried at the time if he overstepped his bounds being the rookie to disrespect a senior All-Star teammate by yelling in public but it was just in the heat of the moment so that's fine."
He's not a rookie anymore. But people keep seeing that.
"I see it as a big bro-little bro..."
- It would be preferable if he gets out of the 'little bro' category & simply be seen as a team mate, an equal.
A 'big bro' will feel nothing about castigating [disrespecting] a 'little bro' in public. I bet Melo believed he was some kind of big bro too.
All I know is Tyson's defending Melo. [as to be expected, of course. I'm sure he LIKES JLin, but he doesn't respect him in a way where he'll come out take his side, if the occassion arises.]
@gokusays
Delete"I don't think people need to "act" tough or act like many of the brats of the NBA to get respect."
- I don't want him to ACT tough. All I'm saying is: Don't pick-up the trash after others. This is ONE LITTLE THING he can skip. ONE. When did this one act become the end-all & be-all of humility?
There is an asian male stereotype that works against him. You can take the high road, ignore it, but for sure it will continue to cause trouble for him [it's been causing trouble since no-scholarship.] People continue to see him as fragile, unathletic. [Also greedy, sneaky] One way you turn a stereotype around is to put opposing images out there consistently, to belie it. Barring that, you refrain from supplying images that would support the stereotype.
How do you think a black guy in an all-white League would approach this? Pick-up trash after others? There are a hundred other ways to be humble. Let this one pass. There's so many cons to it, & the pros can be had doing some other thing.
"As far as being shorter, what is the big deal?"
I'm not talking about being shorter. Like Psalm234 said, it's a big bro-little bro thing. You want equals. EQUALS.
Listen guys, just to be clear.
DeleteAsian men are plenty masculine. However for some stupid reason, people keep clinging to A FALSE PERCEPTION [People who see JLin killing it in practice are unable to see what their eyes are actually seeing.]
It's one of the reason people feel free to disrespect on JLin.
Just as he is racially aware enough when dealing with diff types of people in his daily life, he can practise perspicacity when 'humbling' himself.
I DON'T want him to change, just to be MINDFUL. Consider this as ONE tiny restraint.
African-americans are so sensitive about how they are seen, & depicted why? Impressions matter. A LOT. They know people will treat you how they see you. [They are very very sensitive to suspicions of being disrespected. Bec you don't want a snowball effect, you nip it in the bud.]
You don't want to further bolster a stereotype by doing something that can be construed as confirming that stereotype. People will never be fair [why should they?] & so far people have not dealt intelligently with JLin's ethnicity [maybe they can't even see the frames by w/c they are seeing him.]
But they can be helped along to think differently.
1 Corinthians 9:20
Delete"To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law."
I'm not saying he should become an NBA brat. I'm saying be mindful of the context in w/c he do things. Don't run too counter with the implicit values in the League. Let it be easier for other players to see him as Leadership material, not just a buddy. Let it be easier for those NBA brats to accept him.
In that way he needn't be subject to all these random jabs & small fires that is distracting from his true calling: To glorify God by playing Godly Basketball.
Think of the Big Picture, like St Paul.
I'm not saying he should not be himself. Perhaps he is so guileless that it doesn't even occur to him people could misinterpret what he's sincerely doing. So far they have done that with his words & actions, & they will continue. Why not be a bit more...careful? He needs to first get into a position of influence [not mere friendship] with other players, then he can make all the changes he wants from the inside, from a position of power.
"I've been saying repeatedly that Jeremy Lin is NOT HUMBLE."
DeleteHe reads John Piper, & Cj Mahaney.
He practises Humility consciously, to counter the temptation Pride. [I mean how can you not love this guy?!]
If Jeremy Lin is going to survive in the NBA, he can humbly go around thinking that he's better than everyone.
DeleteMagic Johnson said that when he played, he felt better than everyone. He still respected other players in the league and worked on his game, both of which require humility.
As far as false perceptions of Asian men go, I refuse to be held accountable for them. I'm not going to go out of my way to prove or disprove anything. Frankly, I no longer care what people think anymore.
When people screamed "Pork Fried Rice" at Jeremy Lin, he just put his head down and punked people. That's how you win.
The other thing I caution against is the false perception that Asians and African Americans don't like each other and don't get along.
DeleteI've always been superbly respected by the African American community, on and off the court. I love African Americans and have quite a few as dear friends.
Jeremy Lin's success is not an affront to any community. He simply should celebrated as a historic pioneer in Asian American pro basketball.
@KHuang
DeleteYou know I salute you for your intrepid spirit.
All I'm saying is, with a little foresight, things can be tweaked, for the better.
He can save himself some heartache.
We don't have to charge head-on towards things all the time. A bit of mindfulness goes a long way.
I mean as a JLin fan, I'd love to be uber-represented as a Christian, as an Asian. That's me being selfish. But the guy will have to deal with the aftermath of certain actions his lone self. It can't hurt to approach things strategically. It's not some kind of self-betrayal.
"The other thing I caution against is the false perception that Asians and African Americans don't like each other and don't get along."
- Indeed a false perception.
I know a lot of Asians who admire & are inspired by the African-american community. There's a lot to learn from each other.
@via wong, I don't know all the details of the situation about Lin picking up someone's trash. But this one situation can be in a gentlemenly way. If a friend left some candy wrapper on a plane, I'd remind him that he left some trash there and I'd pick it up for him and tell him he owes me one. Just a kind thing to do. Now, if someone tells me to go pick up that trash, I'll tell him in the kindest way possible to go jump off a cliff and pick it up himself.
DeleteAs far as others viewing this as a sign of weakness, I would not necessarily agree. Jeremy can be viewed by his teammates as a kind-hearted, gentlemen, who has ice in his veins on the court (he's proven that). I can see JR Smith never picking up someone else's trash; but then again, who thinks about JR Smith as more than just a basketball player. Folks like Jeremy because he is so more than just basketball. Jeremy is an image of perserverance, hardwork, the underdog, intelligence, overcoming all odds, pursuing a dream, humility, kind-heartedness, etc. I can go on and on.
For me, I think it is certainly a fresh breathe of air that a popular figure is being genuine rather than pretentious or overly concerned about image. We need fewer Kardashians and more Jeremy Lins in this world.
@gokusays
Delete[KHuang said as much.]
I guess it takes a gentleman to appreciate a gentleman, of which there are many on this site, but the NBA, not so much.
I'd say there's more of JR's ilk in the league than not. Melo made rookies carry his bag. You have to wonder in what light they viewed JLin & if it had any bearing on their subsequent actions.
It's not that JLin should care what people think, but guys like Melo usually are the ones controlling the locker room.
I just don't see these guys understanding what a servant-leader is.
There's more than one way to skin a cat though. JLin can do like St Paul & "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews." & get to a position of influence with other players. Play to their expectations of what a leader looks like, make them stop resisting him, make it easier for them to follow him.
No self respecting man of any color who wants to lead should kowtow to what others expect of him.
DeleteA real man acts like a gentleman and doesn't worry if noted malcontents like JR Smith can't handle it. He goes about his business and signs fancy new contracts with better employers who don't let the inmates run the asylum.
Jeremy Lin doesn't have to live up to anybody else's expectations but his own. He doesn't "represent" anybody other than himself. If others expect more out of him, that's their problem and not his.
Jeremy Lin is responsible solely for his own gentlemanly behavior. He isn't a $25 million BABYSITTER.
Others following Melo, I have not seen. Teammates embracing and hugging Jeremy to death, the world has witnessed.
DeleteIf I am among a bunch of a-holes, I will refuse to become them. To be different, exceptional, and held to higher standards is better than to be the same, mediocre, and classless. People are attracted to geniune leaders, not a-holes that look or pretend like one.
The greatest leaders in this world have always been the ones who are selfless, geniune, and true to themselves. Jeremy acts no different. The world and his teammates will love him for that.
@KHuang
Delete"No self respecting man of any color who wants to lead should kowtow to what others expect of him."
- PLAYING to "their" expectations is not kowtowing, KHuang. It's merely understanding people's desires. JLin is in control. This is a strategy. You have to look to the bigger picture.
"Jeremy Lin doesn't have to live up to anybody else's expectations but his own."
- Of course he needn't. His own expectations, is to lead. [He aspires to be a pastor.]
"He doesn't "represent" anybody other than himself."
- He'll tell you he represents God.
"He isn't a $25 million BABYSITTER."
- KHuang, that's not how a servant-leader is.
KHuang, no one cares about JR or Melo.
I care what guys like them could do to JLin though. & before you have an aneurysm, I don't mean he can't take care of himself. He can. Still, I worry.
@gokusays
"To be different, exceptional, and held to higher standards is better than to be the same, mediocre, and classless.
- Indeed. It's a pity the latter are usually able to weasel their way into power.
@via wong, it is getting a bit ridiculous to say that Jeremy is a servant leader just because he is kind enough to pick up a bit of trash for a teammate or whatever the case maybe. Perhaps your instinctive view reflects that of a bird in a cage of beastly animals.
DeleteBut I can assure you a self-confident person is not going to give a hoot about his own image when he is just trying to help someone or do something out of kindness.
???
DeleteYou do understand this is a 'term,' right?
[I hope you're not thinking literally.]
Characteristics of servant leaders
http://www.burginbaptist.com/bbc_docs/policies/draft/leadership.htm
Jeremy Lin isn't a servant leader in the NBA.
DeleteWhile he and some of his fans believe he has a higher calling, the truth is that Lin's being paid to play basketball. He's not there to massage JR Smith and Carmelo Anthony into team players. That's the coach's job, not Lin's.
Lin is a great player, but he's not there to play den mother for a bunch of incorrigible NBA brats.
It's JUST BASKETBALL, not some sort of religious cultral ecstasy.
I must admit I took it literally. (I've never been involved in Church, though one my uncles is a pastor.) But thank you for the link.
Delete@KHuang
Delete"Jeremy Lin isn't a servant leader in the NBA."
- He will tell you he is.
JLIN: "I want to make sure I play hard and I play for God. Everything else I can be OK with. I just want to make sure as a person and as a player I'm consistent in what I believe in. The biggest thing for me is waking up every day trying to glorify God. The only thing I can really promise is I'm going to give my best effort. I'm going to do my best to be a great playmaker, a great decision-maker. I'm gonna try my best to be a humble leader and serve my teammates."
"He's not there to massage JR Smith and Carmelo Anthony into team players...he's not there to play den mother for a bunch of incorrigible NBA brats."
- That's not what a servant-leader is.
"It's JUST BASKETBALL, not some sort of religious cultral ecstasy."
- I hate to break it to you KHuang, he plays to glorify God.
His faith makes him great, where is the offense?
@gokusays
:)
@KHuang
DeleteYou can't take God out of JLin's game. This is who he is.
We can enjoy his play our individual ways though.
@via wong, I'll still have to disagree with your view that Jeremy has to change his ways to be a better fit in the NBA and a better leader to his teammates. I think he is a fine leader the way he is. We can go on and on to debate this, but the fact remains that his NY teammates embraced his leadership and not Melo's.
DeleteI predict that Jeremy's new Houston teammates will embrace his leadership as well.
@gokusays
DeleteI get where you're coming from.
I myself think he's continuously refining his ways.
Houston is a new chapter, I agree they'll welcome his leadership.
I'm not religious, and I'm definitely not Christian. I'm also utterly inconvertible.
DeleteI enjoy watching Lin play in the NBA. It's not some sort of Asian pride or religious calling for me. I'm completely uninterested in anybody trying to feel Azn pride or Christian godliness.
"Saving" me won't work, for those of you who are hoping to try.
I couldn't care less what's going on in Jeremy Lin's head, and I couldn't care less what his faith is.
DeleteAs long as he can play basketball to his potential, that's all I care about. He is being paid by the Houston Rockets to play basketball, not deliver sermons or be a "servant leader".
I've faced my share of religious persecution too, so I have ZERO TOLERANCE for people trying to use Christianity to interfere in my life.
Let's not read too deep into LIN being a Christian and a NBA player. He always identify himself as a Christian before anything else because being one humbles him and keep him grounded and motivates him and keep him going theu adversity. We as fan just need to stand by him, support him and I believe he has no intention to converts anyone into Christian at this stage of life for bb is focal point now; maybe after he is done in NBA and become a pastor, as he intends to be one in the future.
DeleteAnd via wong, don't go about calling me "unrealistic".
DeleteI have faced down a lifetime of incorrect stereotyping from foes Asian and nonAsian. I know exactly how to debunk those stereotypes by refusing to even play into them. Many times have I thrashed racist foes who were utterly unprepared for this supposedly meek Asian guy to turn on them looking for retaliation.
Jeremy Lin is nothing like the impotent unathletic stereotype of an Asian male that racists like Jason Whitlock and NBA scouts would have people believe. He just has to play his game regardless of what haters think.
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Delete@KHuang
Delete"Saving" me won't work, for those of you who are hoping to try."
- KHuang, I didn't realize all the God talk might be bothering you. No need to think about people trying to "save" you. :)
"As long as he can play basketball to his potential, that's all I care about. He is being paid by the Houston Rockets to play basketball, not deliver sermons or be a "servant leader".
- Servant-leadership is simply a set of attitudes a Christian takes up. No sermoning. Just good bball, w/c we'll enjoy soon.
"And via wong, don't go about calling me "unrealistic".
I have faced down a lifetime of incorrect stereotyping from foes Asian and nonAsian. I know exactly how to debunk those stereotypes by refusing to even play into them. Many times have I thrashed racist foes who were utterly unprepared for this supposedly meek Asian guy to turn on them looking for retaliation."
- I can see you speak from bitter experience.
Perhaps I was just cynical.
"Jeremy Lin is nothing like the impotent unathletic stereotype of an Asian male that racists like Jason Whitlock and NBA scouts would have people believe. He just has to play his game regardless of what haters think."
- I agree.
I've been missing an interesting discussion just because I didn't look up the thread :)
DeleteI really appreciate that each of us have common ground in supporting Jeremy to do well even if we might have differences in how we identify with him (i.e. being underdogs, Asian, Christian, etc.) I hope we can continue to share our different perspective with respect even if sometimes we just have to agree to disagree.
@via wong, thanks for posting a good link for definition of servant leaders. It certainly helps to clarify where Jeremy is coming from when talking about "serving" his teammates. It definitely is not kowtowing to older teammates or always deferring to others but most importantly to be a selfless leader who plays for God first and always look out and take care of the needs of his teammates.
I have to say that this idea of playing for the audience of God has a deeper impact to his definition of success more than the religious overtone it sounds first. I've given some thought about the similar comment that Kurt Warner, another prominent NFL ex-QB, said about playing for God and how it contributed to their success.
First of all, it does not mean that you are suddenly struck by God's lightning and play like Superman. Many Christians are as faithful to God but can still suck if they don't work hard. I was telling my 11-year old son that I learned it means to do our best (even if we don't win) with our talent for God liberated from the fear of failure. Many times we can't perform our best because we are afraid to lose, not to win, or disappoint our parents/loved ones. KW said if he lost Superbowl, it's okay because his family and his God still love him. My practical take is to tell my son that it's okay if he fails as long as he works hard and always try his best. So it's not about the result but about the attitude of the heart to do things the right way and treat others the right way.
And the same thinking I would have for Jeremy that even if he can't repeat Linsanity or be a Hall-of-Famer, my attitude is to wish and support him anyway. I hope as fans we can do the same to support Jeremy even if he does not meet our very own expectations of success. In the eyes of his God, he is already successful because he does it the right way.
I hope my perspective helps in any way as I learned a lot from @via wong, @khuang, @gokusays and @Michelle Wong here.
A pure point guard is a player who is set on passing the ball without looking to score, unless the clock is running out. Steve Nash is called a life point guard, but early in his career he was a prolific scorer. And Nash does still score, if given an open shot or an angle to drive to the basket.
ReplyDeleteActually, the "pure point guard" myth is just a poor excuse for guys who can't score and shoot. If your point guard happens to be the best scorer on the team, you gotta let him take the most shots.
DeleteThis is why teams with a "pure point guard" or "pure defensive player" in the starting lineup don't win alot of championships. Anytime some player can't score, the opponent will leave him open to double someone else, and dare him to shoot. This makes the player a liability on offense.
DeleteIt's always hilarious to me that some players are actually praised for their lack of scoring ability when the game of bball is meant to put up the most points. Lol.
DeleteIn the days of illegal defense where zone defenses were not permitted in the NBA, it was easier for a nonshooting point guard to get by.
DeleteThat's because guards like Philadelphia's Eric Snow who couldn't score still had to be guarded off the ball. In those days, the first illegal defense call would lead to a warning and subsequent calls would lead to technical free throw calls. Thus, players like Maurice Cheeks and Darrell Walker and Morlon Wiley and Muggsy Bogues could play years in the NBA without actually having to score.
I HATED that illegal defense rule. Superstars like Larry Bird would break it at will, thus causing Boston homer commentators to call it a "man and a half defense" since players had to play man to man defense or double team. Nonsuperstars would get caught in transition and the whistle would blow. Plus, it made guys who could only shoot the three and get to the hole utterly unstoppable, like Steve Francis whose career disappeared as soon as the illegal defense rule was abolished.
Now if the NBA got rid of the horrible "3 second violation" that allows superstars like Tim Duncan to camp out in the lane defensively, I'd be thrilled. I've counted both Duncan and Shaq as having violated the lane rule for more than 10 seconds on a single possession.
A "pure point guard" only works in high school. A NBA point guard must be able to score and demand respect from the opponent's defense. Therefore Nash still scores and will score if the defense allow him.
ReplyDeleteHeh.
DeleteBoth Jeremy Lin and Larry Bird had the same "pure point guard" problem in high school.
Their high school coaches got fed up with their overpassing. Both players were told "Shoot the ball or be benched". From that instant on, both players dominated but still took care of everyone else.
This reminds me of an interesting Larry Bird anecdote. In his autobiography "Drive", he wrote about coaching the Pacers. There was an end of the bench player who passed up an open shot in a game. Bird gently pulled the guy aside and ordered him never to pass up an open shot. The player's agent was so grateful that he called up Bird to thank him.
Similarly, MN center Greg Stiemsma found his stride in Boston after Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett hollered at him to shoot. They stood him in the middle of a team circle and made him say out loud "My name is Greg Stiemsma, and I'm a SHOOTER!"
I like LB, he was like the only caucasion back then, broken the stereotype of bb are for blacks only. I like watching Celtics then. He is magnificient.
DeleteWell, not entirely.
DeleteThere were some great Caucasian basketball players during Larry Bird's playing career. They include
Tom Chambers, John Stockton, Mark Price, Kevin McHale, Bobby Jones, Jeff Ruland, Pete Maravich, Bill Walton, Bill Laimbeer, and many others were fabulous Caucasian players that could compete against anyone.
Latest news flash! KNICKS signed JR SMITH's little brother Chris ro join the 'Adams family' of KNICKS. Opps I am sorry, it was an insult to the Adams Family.
ReplyDeleteEasy there, Michelle Wong.
DeleteAt the start of every season, NBA teams hold training camp to prepare their players for the upcoming season.
In order to provide competition for the NBA team's players to get used to playing with each other and to try out various strategies, teams hire a bunch of practice players that will likely not make the NBA team they are playing for. Denver Coach George Karl calls those training camp players "no hopers".
Why would "no hopers" come to training camp at all? Because a plethora of scouts, agents, team representatives, and the like observe these practices to recruit players. For example, training camp is a great place to be noticed by international scouts.
I have high respect for Chris Smith or any player that can make a training camp roster. Jeremy Lin started his career that too.
Brothers in the same team? Won't it be conflicts over time?
DeleteProbably not.
DeleteThe Knicks intend to stash Chris Smith in the D league. Who knows, maybe he'll be an All D League 1st teamer and collect triple doubles the way Jeremy Lin did?
On a professional level, brothers should try to outplay each other when they face off.
First thing that came to mind is ... is he signed by CAA?
DeleteSeth from postingandtoasting seems to think it's a favor for JR Smith because he did not play well during the summer league, over-dribbling and shooting for just 29% over 5 games.
Along with the recent news of Ron Brewer, another CAA guy, who took less money to sign with the Knicks, you start to wonder what under-the-table dealings CAA had with the Knicks to send their people there. I wonder how much of these deals are illegal to begin with.
Chris Smith joins the CAA ... sorry... New York Knicks!
DeleteThe Corleone Artists Agency strikes again.
Welcome to Melo's Family! (Just remember, never cross da Family)
@Psalm234
DeleteDolan promised JR to get Chris in. JR is also set to get a big contract next year. All this went down during RFA, JR golfing with Dolan.
Some people think this might have something to do with JR twitter-dissing JLin last month.
thanks @via
Deletethis nepotism and possible CBA violation are too obvious for David Stern not to investigate but it might be hard to prove. I'm just glad Jeremy is out of this NY mess.
Ball don't lie.
DeleteIf the Knicks think that they've found the next Jeremy Lin minor league superstar in Chris Smith, more power to them.
However, Chris Smith needs to produce more if he's to make the NBA.
It doesn't matter what nepotism or illegality is going on. A pro basketball player like Chris Smith who doesn't produce is HURTING his team.
The Knicks want to create a "loyal" team, rather than a good team. Whew Dolan, the players, and CAA are one entity. Which makes me wonder why Jeremy chose not to sign with CAA like his idol Tebow, was it loyalty to his agent Roger Montgomery ? Maybe he'd still be in a knicks uniform.
DeleteThe NBA is not a "family".
DeleteIt is a CUTTHROAT league where only the strongest survive.
Teams that favor certain guys over others based on nonbasketball reasons usually end up losing big. Basketball exposes the weak and keeps the strong.
On the other hand, sometimes family members go crazy. Dominique Wilkins passed on drafting his nephew Damian Wilkins THREE TIMES!!! Damian Wilkins is now a solid NBA veteran whose family background actually worked against him!
Remind me of Eli and Peyton Manning in NFL.
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ReplyDeleteDo you know if anyone or any group is organizing to go to MSG on 12/17 to cheer for Lin? If so, please share the info here. I would love to be a part of it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I would go, but then I'd be buying overpriced tickets and the money would go to Dolan, and MSG.
DeleteBut like Psalm234 said on 7/26 in another thread: "If the crowd starts chanting "MVP", I want the camera to be on Dolan. It will be priceless!"
DeleteI just want to cheer for Lin and to support him, no one can predict what the viewers in MSG will react.
Being able to be there to show support is already priceless to me.
Has anyone seen this "The Rise of Jeremy Lin Trailer"? Very well made and almost professional quality. I'm surprised it didn't have more hits.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8hrRIulBZU&list=FLfLt3QlrzSAYhSTDPr0YGMQ&index=1&feature=plpp_video
Note: Watch out for 2:39 profanity in the song lyrics if you have kids watching
@Psalm234, this is one of my favorites. :)
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPwr7FGFnjw
Linspiration!
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Deletedoes anyone still have link to the tribute where it shows jeremy hi fiving the fans and ducking his his head towards the end of the clip and they keep chanting his name as he runs to his locker room. can't find it on youtube anymore. it also shows kobe claiming that he doesn't know who jeremy lin was. it was posted here at one from a female i think. can't find it anymore, maybe taken down due to copyright? the clip was amazingly crisp. was the best i have seen out of the rest.
Delete@abo: I believe you are referring to this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z1m7beMXY4&feature=relmfu
DeleteIt was so touching and amazing that the first time I saw it, I was so moved and even had tears in my eyes.
sorry it's not the one, the one i saw had some intense orchestra or symphony music in the background, it's not very long like this one. the creator probably had to take it down or edit the content cause of copyrighted footage. what a shame. no offense, but was even better than yours. the one i'm talking actually made you proud to be asian american playing basketball, very inspirational.
Delete