By Darius
Jeremy Lin has retired.
As a Chinese-American basketball player, Lin has had a career filled with challenges yet ultimately fulfilling. Initially, due to perceived limitations in his talent, he went undrafted into the NBA, but through sheer hard work, he joined the Golden State Warriors. He later rose to fame with the New York Knicks, notably scoring 38 points against Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers and confidently hitting a game-winning three-pointer against the Toronto Raptors, earning him the nickname "Linsanity." After the hype subsided, he moved through several teams, including the Rockets, Hornets, and Nets, where he delivered solid performances. However, just as his form would heat up, injuries would invariably strike. Ultimately, he concluded his nine-year NBA career after winning a championship with the Toronto Raptors.
Looking back at his entire NBA journey, Lin had a respectable career, though there remains a gap when compared to All-Star-level players like Yao Ming. However, considering that Yao's NBA career also lasted only nine years, Lin's achievements are still quite remarkable. Simultaneously, Lin proved to the world that an Asian player of smaller stature could also make a name for himself in the NBA, playing an indelible role in challenging and reshaping outdated stereotypes.
One anecdote about Lin that stands out in my memory occurred in the latter part of his career. In 2017, Lin debuted a new hairstyle: dreadlocks. This move, however, drew criticism from former NBA player and 2000 NBA Draft top pick Kenyon Martin.
Martin posted a video on his Instagram publicly mocking Lin's hairstyle, arguing that as an Asian man, he shouldn't wear a style associated with Black culture. His remarks were both provocative and critical.
However, Lin subsequently offered a highly intelligent and powerful response, turning the controversy into a public discussion about cultural respect, inclusion, and diversity. Lin's mature and forceful retort left Martin in an awkward position. Under public pressure, Martin later posted another video, softening his tone and issuing an apology.
This incident gave me a completely new perspective on Lin. He seems to carry a certain "scholarly demeanor"; unlike the confrontational nature on the court, he defused hostility with remarks that were devoid of strong emotions yet of a higher level. This "philosophy of response" has a distinct Asian style, emphasizing persuading through reason.
Among those of us who love playing basketball, there's a common saying: "Let your game do the talking." While winning a war of words might be satisfying, letting actions and results speak is the better method. From an underestimated Asian player of smaller stature making it to the world's highest basketball stage, to continuing to shine in other leagues even at an older age while harboring dreams of returning to the NBA, on his journey chasing dreams, Lin has always been the one to let his game do the talking.
There are undoubtedly numerous players at or even above Lin's skill level in the world, but I sincerely hope that we can see another Lin emerge from among us.
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