This past weekend, social media exploded with the news that Jeremy Lin was traded from the Houston Rockets to the Los Angeles Lakers. In particular, Asian Americans couldn’t stop talking about it. After all, Lin’s success story hit home with many of us, sports fans and non-sports fans alike.
However, Lin’s trade was met with much debate. Some Laker fans criticized his ability and questioned whether or not his fans were supporting him for the right reasons. We’re gonna clear it up for you: Yes, Asian Americans support Jeremy Lin not only for his skills but also because he succeeded against all odds. He succeeded despite the doubts thrown at him that we, as Asian Americans, face on a daily basis.
We summed it up in our Winter 2013-2014 issue by pointing out that Lin “embodied the hardworking Asian American icon that had been discriminated against and underestimated his entire life and was finally getting his opportunity to show the world what he could really do.”
Disparity in opinion on Jeremy Lin between Asians & non-Asians is crazy lol..We’re not blind to his flaws as a player but diff is we BELIEVE
– YUNG KONFUCIUS (@davidbfung) July 12, 2014
Furthermore, NBC News points out that the trade was clearly a good decision. Los Angeles is one of the largest Asian American markets and will surely be in support of Lin.
“Lin has a chance to make a huge impact in that town – not by trying to relive ‘Linsanity’ but by being a solid player constantly trying to improve his game,” said University of Michigan Asian/Pacific Islander American History Professor Scott Kurashige to NBC News. “As long as he performs at that level, Asian Americans will undoubtedly rally behind Lin and the Lakers, but he’ll gain the respect of many more beyond that.”
As for Lin, he doesn’t seemed to be phased by all the debate. Three days ago, he posted the following picture.
“Thank you to Houston fans, media, Rockets staff, coaches and teammates for the last 2 years,” he wrote in his caption. “Sad it never went, or ended, the way I had envisioned it to, but God always has a perfect plan and I’ll forever cherish that chapter of my life. Im SO blessed to join the Lakers and cant wait to get started!!! #purpleandgold #calikid”
[wp_ad_camp_2]
