Monday, November 11, 2013
Jeremy Lin, race and lessons learned- Brandon Focht
Jeremy Lin burst into the spotlight of the NBA two seasons ago in New York. He brought a new culture into the NBA as an Asian-American. This was slightly different than Yao Ming because he was a foreigner first, and had to learn the culture and English to be able to be involved with the media. With Lin arriving on the scene this called for different racial barriers being tested. It is different with an Asian American making such an impact on the sports world in such a short amount of time. Lin hit the scene and within two weeks was a sensation or "Linsanity." The fact that so many things we say can be seen as a stereotype today is just mind boggling to me. With so many things you say in the media today, it could possibly upset someone solely based on your opinion. J.A. Adande was about to tweet "the only way Lin could be more impressive would be if he got the wrinkles out of those pants." This could have been seen as a play of Asians because of the stereotype that many Asians own dry cleaning places. Lin made a huge impact in a short period of time with the New York Knicks. This was seen as an opportunity for the Houston Rockets to go out and sign Lin in the off season with there good Asian fan base that was attracted by Yao Ming previously. Lin received a large contract and pay raise from the Rockets. He is no longer a sensation but your average point guard in the NBA. Lin did bring a different culture identity into the NBA however.
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Brandon,
ReplyDeleteHard to believe it has been two seasons since Jeremy Lin's rise and fall. He did establish a new culture in the NBA, because of the success he was having. Yao Ming was different in the base that he was not born in the United States, but he started the up rise of Asian players in the NBA. Lin was the jolt to jump start a whole new phenomenon in the NBA. He was a player that seemly came out of nowhere, and single handedly, put the New York Knicks on his back. When Lin became a sensation, I was not convinced it would last, and I was right to think that way. Talent wise, I thought Lin was an average point guard, but players can play beyond there ability’s from time to time. He had the media following his every move, even as “linsanity” began to fade away, the media still talked about him. Lin, now in Houston is no longer the sensation that is was, but still has the Asian fan base on his side, and as you said, has brought in a new culture identity into the NBA.
Tyler Crellin
Brandon,
ReplyDeleteYou brought up some very interesting points. For instance, you mentioned how Jeremy Lin was practically an overnight sensation, and also how there were many things said about his performance that were considered to be very stereotypical. Some of the things that were said about Lin, like the “Chink in the Armor,” are very offensive and insensitive towards Asian cultures. That being said, I believe the reason he was so popular was because of his story. He was practically unheard of, and then just started dominating the game out of nowhere. That’s why he got so popular. That being said, I do feel as though most Americans have a problem with stereotypes and should be more sensitive towards other people’s cultures, but I do not believe that Jeremy Lin’s success and popularity was driven by the fact that he is an Asian American.
Evan Sechler.
Jeremy Lin truly was an overnight sensation. He took not only the NBA, but the entire sporting world and the United States by storm. Lin was nearly the exact opposite of all of the other NBA players. He was a Chinese-American who had attended Harvard. Jeremy Lin created a buzz in the NBA but also created a national discussion about how Asians are treated in America. The point that was made in the video that we watched in class was very accurate in my opinion. Asian Americans do not have a strong voice to stand up for them or to put a stop to discriminatory remarks. The ESPN writer who put “Chink in the Armor” deserved every bit of his firing. Something like that should never be allowed to happen, yet they still do. I think it is great that Lin has been able to change the view of the “typical” NBA player.
ReplyDeleteShaun Higgins
Brandon,
ReplyDeleteThe Jeremy Lin story was quite impressive here's a kid that went to Harvard one of if not the most prestigious Ivy League schools you could attend. He was undrafted out of college. On top of all he was an Asian American. Lin is just an example of a hard working kid who got his opportunity and made the best of it. As far as him being an Asian American and all the publicity that with I felt worked to his advantage. The fact that he played in New York worked to his advantage. If he didn't play in New York we would've heard the story because that streak he went on was impressive regardless of his race. However, the Jeremy Lin brand wouldn't have gotten as much publicity, there would been no "Linsanity". The Houston Rockets thought that Jeremy Lin would be more than a basketball investment but that he would bring more of the Asian community into the arena to watch the Rockets play. That is why they overpaid millions average for a below average if average NBA point guard. Very soon Jeremy Lin's career will be over but we will always remember the 2 weeks of fame in New York.
Jude