Golden State Warriors sign Jeremy Lin from Harvard

published by ANBM on Sat, 07/24/2010 - 15:20

Great news from our Asian American sensation Jeremy Lin as he signs on with the Golden State Warriors.

We did not see wrong when we saw the potential of this new gunner and that's not in any reference to any kind of school massacres that the Media rubs in our faces.

Asian Americans look on with high confidence when they see Jeremy Lin simply put, doing what he does best.

We aren't unfairly biased when it comes to supporting any Asian Americans in sports, I mean sure we should be supporting Asian Americans in all areas of the professional world but Jeremy Lin actually has a little bit more and we can not help but be proud of him. Not only is he being recognized by Asian Americans but in fact to have the basketball world talking him only shows that he has gained early recognition.

That would indeed break some stereotypes that long been plaguing Asians in western countries. We know that Media representation has done nothing but spread very simplistic misconceptions of Asian people.

Jeremy Lin would be one of the biggest contributors to represent Asian Americans positively in the professional sports and now he will be joining on with the Golden state warriors. Congrats Jeremy and you be an incredible role model.

Below story from Taiwan E-News:

After losing C.J. Watson, the Golden State Warriors is ready to replenish its talents on floor by signing free agent combo guard Jeremy lin to a contract today, announced the team at a press conference held in Oakland, California, according to Associated Press reports.
“This is unbelievable” the Palo Alto native said after Warriors, a team he had worshipped since childhood, signed the undrafted free agent. “I’ve never been part of something like this.”

Lin turns himself an instant celebrity in the Bay Area with a large Asian population after becoming the first Asian-American player signed by the Warriors since 1947, reports said.

After not being favored in the just-concluded 2010 NBA Draft, Lin played for the Dallas Mavericks in the 2010 NBA Summer League held in Las Vegas earlier this month. Lin, who just finished a four-year stint at Harvard with a major of economics and minor in sociology, averaged 9.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 18.6 minutes in five outings with the Mavs, shooting a team-leading 54.5% from the floor.

Lin’s astonishing performance showed his solid capacity as a qualified professional player and also caught attention from scouts of Los Angel Lakers and other NBA teams.

During a game against the all-everything John Wall, the first overall pick by the Washington Wizards in the draft, Lin stunned the audiences and TV commentators by grabbing 11 fourth-quarter points with a fast break dunk after stealing the ball from Wall. Lin’s acrobatic performance roused the crowd, who almost rioted when Lin was whistled for a charge.

The Harvard star gets the better of the best player in draft, repeatedly “schooling him in the process,” a report of the Dallas Morning News said.

Given Lin's success, Mavs GM Donnie Nelson went so far as to compare him to a former Mavericks point guard: "He makes everybody else around him better. That's a sign of a real player. A lot of times, and we've been through this before with a guy like Steve Nash, people have a hard time projecting certain players. I just know every team those guys were on won. Jeremy's got some of the same characteristics," the New England Sports Network reported at an interview.

Lin, 21, the captain of the Harvard Crimson , averaged 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 115 career outings. The 6’3” guard became the first player in Ivy League history to record at least 1,450 points, 450 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals. He was an All-Ivy League First Team selection this past season (2009-10), when he averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 assists, 4.4 rebounds and shot 51.9% from the floor in 29 games. The Harvard-trained guard’s senior season at Harvard was highlighted by a 30-point, 9-rebound and 3-assist performance against the13 ranked Connecticut Huskies, reports added.

Both of Lin’s parents are Taiwanese expatriates in the US, who pursued their American dream in the 70s, earning decent jobs in the Silicon Valley after finishing their degrees in engineering.

"I consider myself a basketball player more than an Asian-American," said the Bay Area native. "I'm ready to play at this level and I appreciate the support of the Asian community. This is a dream come true. I always wanted to be in the NBA and now I get to do it with the Warriors, the team I grew up watching," said the committed Christian.

"I understand there are not many Asians in the NBA and there are not many Ivy Leaguers in the NBA," Lin said. "Maybe I can help break the stereotype."

Lin, who began his sensational career from hometown California, made his name heard among professional scouts and university coaches after his Harvard Crimson beat the Boston College, a long-time competitive rivalry ranked 17th this year in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), twice with a remarkable 21-9 this season. In the senior year, Lin got 16.4 points and 4.4 rebounds on average.

“For a real talent, a chance would be enough,” said Wu Hsin-shin, Lin’s mother at a previous interview held by the Chinese-language Liberty Times, adding that she is full of confidence for her son despite some discouraging reports on his future.

Wu noted that Lin is a tough guy who is always dedicated to what he desires. Lin used to be a domineering player, Wu added. Until senior high school had he realized the importance of teamwork, a character necessary for a successful NBA player, Wu went on.

Lin’s father Lin Gie-ming told reporters of the Apple Daily that his family is very excited about the contract with the Warriors, adding that this is a pride not only for Chinese Americans but for the all nations in the Asia.

Jeremy Lin vs. John Wall - Mavs vs. Wiz Summer League 2010 Highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whVEiYap1F4

Some more great stories and interviews on Jeremy Lin form SF Gate - see Golden State: Part 1 Q & A Jeremy Lin

Asked to compare himself to an NBA player, he chose Steve Nash's back-up with the Suns, Goran Dragic.
"Neither of us is a freak athlete, but we're both effective and know how to play the game."
Describe your style on the court.
"I'm a playmaker. I'm always attacking the rim and have somewhat of a reckless style. I try to be everywhere at once."
How soon after the draft did you hear from Donnie Nelson with the Mavericks about joining their summer-league team?
"Actually, he called me before the draft ended. Around the fifth to eighth pick, he called me, and I guess he already knew I wasn't going to be drafted."
When did the Warriors first show interest?
"I heard from my agent (Tuesday) around 4 or 5 in the afternoon. We hadn't made a decision yet. I hadn't really heard anything about that because I told my agent I didn't want to hear anything until it was final."
(Agent Roger Montgomery said the Warriors first called him about midway through the summer league, at about the same time the Lakers called.)
Do you feel prepared to play point guard in the NBA?
"I feel like I'm ready to play. I feel like my game is suitable for the NBA style, because I'm a slasher and there's a lot of pick-and-rolls."
Can you can keep up with NBA point guards defensively, especially the quicker ones?
"Yeah, I think being 6-4 with shoes and a pretty decent wingspan, I think I'll be all right."
When you heard from Donnie Nelson that early in the draft about coming to the summer league as an undrafted free agent, were you disappointed? What did you expect on draft night?
"I thought I was going to be a borderline, could potentially, could potentially not get drafted. It was obviously a very disappointing night for me, but looking back, it was the best situation for me, because I was able to be a free agent and to take offers from different teams."

Part 2 Jeremy Lin Q &A - Read more

Warriors Notebook - Asian American Sensation

Jeremy Lin took a seat in a small room in front of an array of television crews, photographers and print media Wednesday afternoon. He'd never seen anything like that at Harvard.

"This is unbelievable," Lin said after the Warriors signed the undrafted free-agent guard. "I've never been part of something like this."

He's being celebrated as the first Asian American player signed by the Warriors since Raymond Townsend in 1980 - and one of a handful in NBA history.

"I consider myself a basketball player more than an Asian American," said the Palo Alto High grad who led his team to a Division II state championship in 2006. "I'm ready to play at this level and I appreciate the support of the Asian community. This is a dream come true. I always wanted to be in the NBA and now I get to do it with the Warriors, the team I grew up watching. ... I had my Latrell Sprewell poster and Joe Smith jersey."

The 21-year-old Lin averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game as a senior at Harvard, highlighted by a 30-point, nine-rebound performance against Connecticut.

"I understand there are not many Asians in the NBA and there are not many Ivy Leaguers in the NBA," Lin said. "Maybe I can help break the stereotype."

Lee should be ready: Forward David Lee will have the injured middle finger on his right (nonshooting) hand in a splint for about six weeks and the Warriors expect him to be healthy before training camp opens in late September.

The Warriors said Dr. Bill Green, who examined the finger in San Francisco, called Lee's injury a "mallet finger" - described on medical Web sites as damage to the extensor tendon that helps one straighten a finger. It happens when a ball hits the tip of a finger.

Lee's injury occurred Tuesday, the first day of tryouts for USA Basketball, and the injury will keep him out of the World Championships in Turkey later this summer.

Jeremy Lin Introductory Interview - 7/21/10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqBBn0Yz3tY

Recommended Links - Videos and Stories

Jeremy Lin Interview at APA Channel - Multilingual Video
http://www.channelapa.com/2010/07/jeremy-lin-signs-with-golden-state-warriors.html

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