(ThyBlackMan.com) The NBA and all its fans are happily captivated by “Linsanity.”
The Jeremy Lin phenomenon has been the biggest story of the month, as the undrafted Harvard grad is the type of underdog story we all tend to cheer for. Add in the fact that in his short time in the spotlight, he’s already accomplished what no Asian-American player has accomplished before, and it’s easy to see why everyone roots for the kid.
Well, not everyone. There’s always someone that has something negative to say, even about great stories like this one. The latest detractor is Floyd Mayweather.
Last week Mayweather tweeted:
“Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise.”
Sorry, Floyd, but they actually don’t do what he does every night. Lin is the first NBA player to score at least 20 points while giving out seven assists in his first four starts. This is the first time he’s ever seen meaningful NBA playing time, and he’s already won Eastern Conference player of the week honors.
In the New York Knicks 92-85 point victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, he outscored Kobe Bryant — who just moved to fifth on the all-time scoring list — 38 to 34.
There’s no doubt — Lin is getting unbelievable hype right now and part of the reason is because of his Chinese and Taiwanese heritage. But he deserves it and there’s nothing wrong with it. Race matters.
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This is the same racism I experienced in high school. Even though Asian American, talented, and noticed by many on the playground in my previous neighborhood I was not chosen to play with the races that were expected to play organized high school sports high school Portsmouth,Va. in the 80’s. Thanks for absolutely nothing Portsmouth Virginia. Thank God I do not live there anymore.
Is Floyd Mayweather so, blinded by racism that he can’t see that this guy has already set a record in NBA History. Is he that close minded that he doesn’t see he has Asian American fans he is now alienating?
This article is sooooo on point:) If the guy is Awesome, then he’s Awesome! I think I have Linsanity. I’d better go see someone about that :p
well done! THE FIRST PERSON OF COLOR IN THE NBA WAS WAT MISAKA, A JAPANESE-AMERICAN. Drafted in 1947 by the…..NY Knicks after leading Utah to the NCAA and NIT championships. He played in 3 games in 1947.
Amen! Very well written.