The “Lincredible” story of Jeremy Lin rising from seemingly nowhere to sudden stardom has swept much of the nation into “Linsanity.” Numerous Lin-inspired catch phrases fill the headlines, and thousands of fans crowd Madison Square Garden, cheering the name of the 23-year-old undrafted point guard from Harvard who has led the New York Knicks into a stunning seven-game winning streak.
Throughout these last three weeks of zealously following his games and interviews, one thing about Lin has struck me more than anything else. Sure, his plays have been impressive. I admit that I have never been a basketball fan, but Lin’s excellent court vision and amazing shooting skills that guided the Knicks into each victory sparked so much excitement and intense fascination that I did not know existed within me.
However, his stats, such as his career-high 38 points against the Lakers or his game-winning three pointer against the Raptors, are not the reasons why I have become so attracted to Lin. Instead, his persona—the remarkable way he stays humble and selfless amidst the media frenzy without ever losing sight of his faith and compassion—has inspired me to become a Lin fanatic.
I learned about Lin for the first time during the summer when he visited my church as a close friend of our college ministry leader. As he shared about the challenges of keeping his faith as a rookie amidst some of his party hard, religion-hostile NBA colleagues, I found his somewhat shy and calm demeanor quite different from that of other publicized athletes. Wearing jeans and a blue button-up shirt like any other ordinary college student, he talked slowly yet surely, while conveying a sense of sincerity and positive energy.
Nothing had changed when I saw Lin again, although this time he was featured live on a nationally televised channel in front of thousands of screaming fans with an ESPN reporter asking how he felt about his triumph over the Lakers. With adrenaline still rushing through his body, he was panting heavily, but he had the same cheeky smile that made him seem more like an intimate cousin than a NBA star player.
Most importantly, he was the same virtuous and modest guy I met before any of the “Linsanity” had begun. When inquired about his thoughts on his performance on the court, he thanked God for giving him the opportunity and skills to score the points. When asked about his rising popularity, he expressed his wish that his entire team would be recognized, not just himself. When the media spotlight finally shined on him after he was neglected and cut by two NBA teams, he pushed it away, praising instead the goodness of the Lord and the work of his teammates.
Even more than his level of playing or his dramatic ascent from benchwarmer to NBA sensation, Lin’s grateful and selfless character is what truly makes him exceptional. For not just basketball fans, Christians, or Asian-Americans, but for everyone watching the young man, it is my personal wish that he will remain a lasting inspiration to stand by one’s morals even amid a whirlwind of media attention.