Jeremy Linn

            It was only a matter of time until I did a column on the New York Knicks Jeremy Lin. If you live on another planet, he’s the kid that has been lighting up the NBA for the last 15 games or so. He is a phenomenon and deserves all the accolades that he has been receiving. 

            The only thing that is surprising to me is that anyone thinks that it is unusual that an Asian American is becoming a star in the NBA. Why not? Asian Americans have been playing basketball for decades – and well. Do you know how many have played for Torrance high school varsities in the last 30 years? I have not bothered to count them, but there has been a lot. Often 50 to 60 per cent have been Asian American. Isn’t it likely that one in the U.S. might be good enough to advance to the NBA?

              I personally, have played against many Asian Americans over the past 40 years, and I think it is safe to say that I was not better than any of them. Now I realize that is no great revelation, but if I were Asian American I would be kind of upset that everyone thinks this is a big surprise. Those dudes can downright play.

             They have proven it. So what is all the hullabaloo about? That none have played in the NBA seems to be a big concern for everyone. Why? How many Greek –Americans are in the NBA? How many of  Serbian and Croatian descent? How many are of Italian  and German descent? I realize that African Americans have dominated since 1960, but they just happen to be better than everyone else.

            Also, everyone seems to think that Asian Americans are so short that they cannot play. So what? There have been quite a few diminutive guys who have been stars in the NBA – Spud  Webb (5-7), Muggsy Bogues (5-3), Earl Boykins (5-5), Calvin Murphy (5-9) and Nate Robinson (5-9)  to name a few. Spud and Nate even won the slam dunk contest.

But the real surprise is that Mr. Lin is not the first Asian American to play professional basketball in the U.S. The first was a fellow by the name of  Watara (Kilo Wat – he apparently lit’em up, too) Misaka , a 5-7 guard from the University of  Utah, who believe it or not, played for the New York Knicks in the 1947-48 season - even if it was only three games.

Jeremy Shu-Hao Lin himself is obviously no midget at 6-3 and 200 pounds. He is certainly bigger than John Stockton and Stevie Nash. So why can’t he play?

            The real point is that only 400 guys play in the NBA out of the billion in the world who play basketball. So why is it so unusual that a lot of Asian Americans have not made this elite group?  And don’t think it’s a racist thing. If they can play, they will play. As Red Auerbach used to say, he didn’t care if a player was yellow, brown, black or green if he could rebound and play defense.

            I have only seen Lin play against the Lakers, and he lit them up for 38 points. Since it was the Lakers, it was not surprising, but I think this guy is the real deal.

            Don Lechman is a former reporter, critic and editor for the Daily Breeze and a basketball player (hopefully not former). He teaches writing at Harbor College in Wilmington.