Pinoy basketball fans fascinated by Lin's story
MANILA, Philippines - Asian-American Jeremy Lin continues his amazing run with the New York Knicks.
In their latest game, Lin sank a buzzer beating 3-pointer to lift the Knicks to a 90-87 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
It was New York's sixth straight victory since Lin entered the line-up and fifth since he became a starter.
Lin has become a YouTube sensation, and is featured on the cover of the latest edition of Sports Illustrated magazine.
Though a star player in high school, he was not recruited by any American college to play basketball.
In fact, Lin had to shop himself to different schools, toting a DVD of his various games.
He graduated with a degree in economics from the prestigious Harvard University, but he was not given an athletic scholarship like many other NBA players.
He was passed over during the NBA draft, and before a twist of fate led to his insertion in New York's line-up, the Knicks were close to letting him go.
Lin admits his sudden rise to fame has caught him by surprise.
"Things are changing so much and it's like everyone wants to talk to me, and my family are very low-key people and private people so sometimes it's very tough," Lin said.
Unkown to many, UAAP champions, the Ateneo Blue Eagles were able to play with Lin during a training camp in the US in 2011.
"He joined us in practice for a couple of days there because of a schedule conflict and he just wanted to keep in shape. Back then, he didn't seem like an impressive NBA player but as you can see now, wow he has improved tremendously," said Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Norman Black.
Fans are fascinated by Lin's fairy-tale story, an underdog who refused to give up on his dreams, and after being given an opportunity, rose to the occasion.
But Lin does have his share of doubters, including American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
On his twitter account, Mayweather attributed the hype surrounding Lin's to his being Asian.
Lin has yet to respond to Mayweather's rant.
But based on the Knicks' latest win, it seems in this case, actions do speak louder than words. -- ANC
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/02/15/12/pinoy-basketball-fans-fascinated-lins-story
