Lin happy to smash stereotypes by living the NBA dream

NEW YORK - New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin is trying not to get caught up in the buzz generated by his explosion onto the NBA scene but the Taiwanese-American point guard is glad to be helping break down stereotypes.

The league's only Taiwanese-American player was neither recruited by a major college basketball power nor drafted by any NBA team and after playing only 29 games in the league last season, was cut by two clubs before being signed by the Knicks.

After using his pinpoint passing to extend the Knicks' winning streak to seven with a 100-85 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Lin said he was happy to show that Asian-Americans could thrive in the NBA as could players from elite academic institutions such as his alma mater Harvard.

"There are definitely stereotypes, obviously," Lin said about preconceived notions about Asian-Americans being able to compete at the NBA level.

"There's a lot of them. The more we can do to break those down by the day, the better we'll become. Hopefully in the near future we'll see a lot more Asians and Asian-Americans playing basketball in the NBA."

California-born Lin said he was looking forward to returning to the homeland of his parents after the NBA season to host a basketball camp.

"I did that last summer as well," the soft-spoken 23-year-old said. "I have a strong passion for the game and I have a strong passion for Taiwan. I would love to do that.

"The kids were awesome. It was one of the highlights of my summer, so it's something I definitely want to do again."

Lin, who was not recruited by any U.S. college basketball powers, went to Harvard and earned a degree in economics.

Elite snub

Despite shining on the Ivy League stage, he was not drafted by any NBA teams. After playing less than 10 minutes per contest in 29 games last season for the Golden State Warriors, he was cut by two clubs this season before being signed by the Knicks.

He said he would also like to dispel the notion that players from elite academic universities could not compete at the highest level.

"That's another stereotype," Lin added. "Ivy League basketball is definitely on the rise. Harvard basketball is on the rise."

Lin said he was trying hard to stay focused and not get caught up in the excitement generated by his dazzling results since getting a chance to play.

"I want to be the same person, before and after. I don't want to let anything affect me or this team. Playing in New York is a big stage. That's obviously a temptation and the danger.

"We need to make sure we're sticking together. We put our egos aside, and when we put our egos aside and really buy into coach (Mike) D'Antoni's system we're going to win games."

Lin said the most surprising thing to him had been the way the Knicks (15-15) had bonded as a team.

"We were losing games and could have started pointing fingers," he said about losing nine of 10 before this winning streak.

"It's unbelievable right now. The camaraderie on this team is just ridiculous. It's just a joy to be around them every day. You show up to the practice facility and it's all smiles across the board. That's the beauty of team sports and that's the beauty of basketball."

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Chris Tiu recalls encounter with Jeremy Lin

MANILA, Philippines – About two or three years ago, athlete-TV host Chris Tiu had the opportunity to play in a pick-up game against Jeremy Lin, the NBA’s latest breakout star.

“We were in Las Vegas with Smart-Gilas [the Philippines’ national men’s basketball team]. We were training in a camp there and at the same time, at the same venue, nandu’n din sila nagpa-practice...

“I think at the time, they were about to join the NBA draft. So they were preparing for the NBA draft, ‘yung mga prospective rookies nagte-training din do’n,” Tiu related in a taped interview aired on “24 Oras” on Feb. 15.

He admitted that he wasn’t able to see “anything super spectacular” from Lin then, but added that his injury may have had affected his performance.

Lin is the first American of Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. Previously “overlooked” and "undervalued," he had been making waves in the professional US basketball league scene over the last few weeks for guiding the New York Knicks to their now seven-game winning streak. Lin joined the team on December last year and made his winning first game only on Feb. 4 against the New Jersey Nets.

Tiu expresses his admiration for the Harvard-educated player.

“Jeremy, of course he can score. But ‘yung talagang kakaiba sa kanya is his ability to create [opportunities] for his team mates. Ang galing niya pumasa, fast break, or ‘pag dum-rive siya.

“Oo magaling siya mag-assist, and para sa ‘kin ‘yun talaga ‘yung hinahanap ko sa mga players,” Tiu shared.

He added, “’Yung kanyang faith in God, I think it’s something that… I mean, that was one of the main reasons why he was able to succeed despite everything he went through.”

source: mb.com.ph

At The Buzzer, Lin Delivers

TORONTO — The clock was running down – on the game, on the Knicks and on Jeremy Lin’s mystical streak, which was teetering on the edge of disappointment. The seconds kept disappearing until Lin stopped his dribble, pulled up and launched from the 3-point arc.

The ball swished with a half-second remaining, setting off pandemonium at Air Canada Centre, which momentarily adopted the NBA.’s newest star as its own. The crowd had just witnessed another fantastic chapter in Lin’s growing legend.

The shot broke a tie and completed a furious comeback against the Toronto Raptors. And when Rasual Butler’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer missed badly, the Knicks had a 90-87 victory, and their Lin-inspired winning streak had reached six.

“You just watch and you’re in awe,” Knicks Coach Mike D’Antoni said.

This was not Lin’s best night, to be sure. He forced a lot of shots, was 9 for 20 from the field, committed eight turnovers and struggled to contain Jose Calderon. But the night ended as so many have since Lin became the Knicks’ unlikely star – with giddy elation. Lin finished with 27 points (his sixth straight game with at least 20) and 11 assists.

Lin had tied the score moments earlier with a 3-point play, after driving into Amir Johnson in the lane. On the final play, he dribbled casually with Calderon in front of him before taking the shot.

On the bench, Amar’e Stoudemire could not stop smiling.

Stoudemire rejoined the Knicks after taking a week off following the death of his older brother. He was a bit erratic, going 8 for 22 from the field, but finished with 21 points and 9 rebounds.

The Knicks (14-15) have their longest winning streak since last March and April, when they won seven in a row.

The Raptors (9-21) rarely let Lin get to the basket without a bump, a bang or a bruise. He spent a considerable amount of time on his back. The Raptors also kept him occupied defensively, with Calderon (25 points) and Leandro Barbosa (13 points) repeatedly challenging him.

Lin and Stoudemire fueled a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 78-76. Other than a pair of missed free throws, Lin was superb, converting a tough driving layup and penetrating and dishing to Stoudemire for a powerful dunk. The Raptors responded quickly, with an 8-1 run that was capped by two driving Barbosa layups. But Lin kept attacking, and Tyson Chandler kept possession after possession alive with his rebounding.

source: mb.com.ph

NBA: Jeremy Lin, Russell Westbrook named Players of the Week

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced via press release Monday (Tuesday, PHL time) that a pair of point guards, New York Knick Jeremy Lin and Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook, have been named Players of the Week.

The award recognizes individual player brilliance through the week of February 6 to February 12 (February 7 to 13, PHL time).

Lin, named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, started at the point guard spot during his squad's four games and led them to a perfect slate, defeating the Utah Jazz, the Washington Wizards, the LA Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Over that span of games, he averaged 27.3 points, 8.3 assists and 2 steals, and scored a career-high 38 against the Lakers.

According to the release, his 109 points over the course of his first four starts are the most by any NBA player since the 1976-77 season.

Lin also became the first player in the NBA history to log a minimum of 20 points and seven assists through his first four stints as a starter.

Westbrook on the other hand, the Western Conference Player of the Week, helped the Thunder post a 3-1 record, while boasting of an average of 30 points, 6 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.5 steals.

Westbrook, who signed an extension with the Thunder last January, scored 28 or more points in all four of the Thunder's games. He also converted a career-best 15 attempts from the field, albeit in a loss, against the Sacramento Kings.

Also up for the award were Dallas Maverick Dirk Nowitzki, Golden State Warrior Monta Ellis, and the Miami Heat duo of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. - AMD, GMA News

source:gmanetwork.com