Why Jeremy Lin Will Bring New Family Fans to the NBA
I don’t follow sports. I never really have, but something changed. A formerly-unknown basketball player for the New York Knicks named Jeremy Lin has caught my attention.
Lin is a breath of fresh air – Listen up NBA, he’s going to bring in a new fan base.
Yes, Lin is the first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA, and I noticed this because I also have the same background. It’s rare to see Asian-Americans in pro sports except for figure skating.
Yes, he’s gifted on the court. No one in the NBA’s history has scored as much in his first three starts. Last night he was the David to Kobe Bryant’s Goliath, scoring 38 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals in the Knicks’ 92-85 win over the Lakers.
But most of all, Lin is someone that dads and moms can point to and tell their children, “This guy was a regular kid, he got his education, he worked hard, and look where he is today.”
Jeremy Lin is a breath of fresh air to the NBA. He is a groundbreaker and a role model, someone who explodes stereotypes that:
- Talented athletes must forgo an education in order to find success – Lin graduated from college.
- Athletes are dumb jocks – Lin attended Harvard University, a prestigious and rigorous ivy leagues school.
- Asian-American guys aren’t good in sports – Lin proves if you’re talented, race doesn’t matter.
- Pro-athletes are cocky – Lin seems genuinely appreciative that he’s been given a chance to prove himself. The humble Lin jokes that he never knew his name could be so creative (fans have dubbed this phenomenon “Linsanity!”).
Everyone loves to root for the little guy who makes it big through sheer ability, self-motivation, and hard work. Parents can appreciate the positive message his story brings to kids.
The NBA now has a super star for the right reasons.
