“I just think in order for someone to understand my game, they have to watch me more than once, because I’m not going to do anything that’s extra flashy or freakishly athletic.”
For those wondering how the latest sports craze in Jeremy Lin came to prominence seemingly out of nowhere, the above statement from the twenty-three year old Knicks point guard explains it all.
Lin’s combination of hard work, perseverance, self-belief and capitalizing on opportunities creates the perfect combination for the early favorite for feel good story of the year. He’s giving hope to the Damian Lillard’s (Weber State) and Reggie Hamilton’s (Oakland) of the world. Just a couple non-major college ball players with obvious talent, but a lack of national notoriety. But really, will Lin’s meteoric rise change anything in relation to the recruiting game?
Let’s face it, coaches can be hypocritical in their viewpoints on playing the right way and the type of players they want to bring into their programs. Let’s be honest though, bring those coaches in a gym and who is the attention grabber? The average athlete who knows the intricacies of the pick and roll, has above average fundamentals and can convert a lay-up with either hand? Or the 6-8 guy with the huge “upside” and “ceiling” who can touch the ceiling with their 40-inch vertical?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m by far not saying I could do a better job on the recruiting trail nor am I calling out the top high school studs. Guys like Kentucky’s freshman defensive stalwart Anthony Davis are tremendously talented and have bright futures. But any notion of a sudden change of how coaches in the Big East, ACC and Pac-12 (guys who passed on Lin by the way) recruit may be a bit drastic.
The transition game and lack of team play during the AAU circuit doesn’t suit guys like Lin well. It’s where a perfectly executed bounce passes leading his man to an easy bucket gets simply annihilated by the windmill dunk to finish out the play. So those expecting a renaissance in college basketball recruiting or an onslaught of long shots, don’t get your hopes up. Even though there is no doubt in my mind that when it comes to the NBA evaluation process, more thought will be taken into the four year guys. Mike D’Antoni also gave a template for the few desperate coaches each year living in perpetual lottery land.
What Lin’s story does provide is another template provided by other long-shot guys like Dennis Rodman (worked as an airport janitor after high school) and Darrell Armstrong (worked at the Dixie Yarn Mill in Gastonia, NC while languishing in the minor leagues). At Palo Alto High School, the school across the street (Stanford) said no to the skinny baller who also doubled as editor of the Paly Voice. Harvard and Brown were the only schools to believe.
Hey, the lifetime green you can earn from an Ivy degree isn’t too bad. Beats the summer league grind and uncertainty that comes with the life of an undrafted rookie. But kudos to Lin for sticking to it. Kudos for staying ready despite getting cut twice in December. By the way does anyone even remember who won the Super Bowl?
The crafty moves to the bucket and six-game winning streak are telling of Lin’s standing in the league. The latest skepticism surrounds Carmelo Anthony’s return to the lineup from a groin injury. Personally, I don’t think of it being that big of an issue. A rumored date with jock-loving Kim Kardashain withstanding, Lin is a smart guy who understands his role. He should make life easy for Melo as he has done for the likes of Iman Shumpert and Steve Novak.
But I can understand those who still question after the 38 points dropped on the Lake Show and the ice in his veins, crowd silencing game winner in Toronto. The SportsCenter attention and Lin-isms outweighs the small sample size of six games I know. Should your doubts continue, please refer to the opening of this passage.
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