Take Linsanity for what it is: A really nice story

We are witnessing, and being inundated by, a truly perfect storm with this whole Jeremy Lin thing that’s hitting town today.

It a very nice story (undrafted kid perseveres, takes NBA by storm for a week so far) dropped into the middle of the (oft-over-the-top) media centre of the universe at a slow time in the North American pro sports calendar and – presto! – it’s Linsanity.

I think it’s a wonderful story, no question about it. I hope the kid goes on to have nothing but success in his NBA career and that he plays for a decade or more and is held up as a shining example of someone sticking it out until the find the perfect situation for themselves.

Which is precisely what Lin has done. He joined a point guard-starved team that plays a system perfectly designed for his talents at a time when the two biggest names on the roster were out with either family tragedies or injuries. You cannot script it any better and Lin has benefited – as has a good-story-starved New York media – like no one before him.

But is Lin’s ascension, as has been suggested, really an indictment of the NBA talent evaluation system overall? Does the fact he’s had four excellent games and one good one in his first five mean there are dozens of other talented young forgotten players out there who’d do the same thing given the same chance?

Probably not.

Look, drafting and finding free agent players as we’ve said for time immemorial is an inexact science. You do your diligence, decide what your team needs and make a choice based on all kinds of factors.

Lin was caught in numbers games pretty much everywhere he went. The Warriors had Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry; the Mavs (as Dwane Casey points out in today’s tome) had committed – rightly or wrongly – to Roddy Beaubois when they had Lin at summer league. Houston? Kyle Lowry and a full roster.

Almost everything in pro sports – heck, almost everything in life – is about timing. Some guys get a chance at precisely the right moment, some never do. Too bad for those who don’t but life ain’t fair all the time.

I think we need to commend and celebrate Lin for what he is: A young player who stayed with his dream and took advantage of his shot when it finally came around.

There is no bigger story here, I don’t think. The evaluation system has its flaws, we all knew that; and hindsight’s a wonderful thing. But to think this exposes some horrid flaw in the system ignores one point: Stories like Lin’s come around once in forever; if the system was really screwed don’t you think there would have been others before.

Like Lin for what he is: A good player on a sub-.500 team playing a style perfectly suited for him after bouncing around a few places that weren’t.

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Be careful.

Watch out for arrows today, okay?

I (heart) you.

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Oh, I didn’t check with anyone at Customs and immigration but what if the Knicks landed and when they checked passports they found out that Lin’s name is actually Joe Boyd?

Might explain a few things, no?

(That may need some googling)

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I’m not sure if the Blue Jays were in on this Cuban kid Cespedes or not but the outfielder signed with Oakland yesterday so it’s a rather moot point at the moment.

And I have no idea if the kid can play – scouts seem high on him and they know more than you or I – and left field still, I think, is a bit of an issue with the TOD.

However, I do like that they’ve re-signed Casey Janssen to a relatively inexpensive, short term deal ($5.9 million over two years with a club option on a third, Griff says). By some quirk of scheduling and the games I saw last summer, Janssen looked all the world to me like a very good setup man; good stuff, the right disposition for the job (did I sound like Dwane just now?) and I think he’s going to be a key guy in what seems to be a vastly improved bullpen this year.

The coolest thing? We’ll get to see him and the others pretty soon; pitchers and catchers are on their way to Dunedin right now.

Sweet!

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Know what really bites?

Forgetting you’re almost out of coffee and having to make half a pot of weak stuff at 5:30 in the morning.

What a dope.

Speaking of, I waver between the Colombian and Ethiopian and Dominican blends for the drip system here. What’s the best I can get?

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Wondered when this was coming.

Not sure if many of you heard the idiotic statement, or tweet, put out by boxer Floyd Mayweather yesterday suggesting all the love for Lin was race-related and how if he wasn’t Asian this might not be that big a story.

Right.

I tell you, some people should not be let near a keyboard, or at least have every public utterances vetted, don’t you think? I am all for free speech and making an ass of yourself whenever you like but, really, someone in the public eye, who has fans who actually believe things you say carry some weight needs to think a bit.

Anyway, I guess part of me is a bit surprised someone else hasn’t done this before now. It’s the world, sadly, we live in.

Immediate reaction:

Yawn. Double yawn.

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Wondered when this was coming:

Q: When Jerryd Bayless first suffered his ankle injury, a fan asked your opinion on Jeremy Lin. You didn't think it was a good idea to pick him up? At the time, I thought Lin would be better offensively than Carter, the Raptors' third string PG. Also, Lin has a future in the NBA whereas Carter is near the end of his career. What's your opinion now Doug? How did the Raptors miss out again?

Geoffrey E, Toronto

A: Yes, I didn’t think it made any sense to pick up Lin, or any other point guard, when Bayless was hurt and I still don’t. No sense, to me, in waiving a guy and paying him not to play at that point to add a third point guard to a team that has next season as its priority and not necessarily this one.

And, yes, Lin is without question thriving offensively in a system built perfectly for his skills, as I mentioned above; he may or may not have had that success here, you don’t know and I don’t know.

So, in late-December when Jerryd was first hurt – and with an injury he did and will come back from – picking up an unemployed point guard who’d been cut by a couple of teams didn’t make sense to me.

Hindsight. It’s a wonderful thing, isn’t it?

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Comments

[JHP]

Doug. Here's my take on Mr. Lin, he went to Harvard!!! The first guy from Harvard to play in the NBA and of course I'm probably wrong. But to me this is a huge accomplishment and should be seen for what it is. A nice feel good story and left as it is.

[Frank Langille]

Coffee! (http://www.cafebritt.com/costa-rica-shade-grown-organic-coffee) I know you didn't include Costa Rica in your list, but this is a favourite here.

[Mike D.]

Anyone who complains about the Raptors not picking up Jeremy Lin should keep in mind that Colangelo et al have done pretty well recently picking up talent on the cheap that had been buried on the bench behind established players. Although none of them have reached the "Linsanity" level, James Johnson (behind Luol Deng in Chicago), Jerryd Bayless (behind Brandon Roy and, I believe, Andre Miller in Portland) and Aaron Gray (behind Joakim Noah in Chicago and then Emeka Okafor in NO) have all been solid contributors for the HOTH.

Actually, I kind of like the sound of "Graysanity".

[sam]

Lin is one of many players who fell through the cracks over the years Have the HOTH ever had a guy who came out of no where and for a short time was the flavour of the month. I remember Jamario Moon not having much or any traction in the NBA before signing in Toronto - his game wasn't headline grabbing like Lin's.

I second the recommendation on Costa Rican Coffee.

[Eddy]

Cafe Santo Domingo! I agree entirely with your comments regarding Lee. I wish him well, but it's almost impossible to say that the NBA drops the ball on scouting.

[SEAN H]

As far as Costa Rican coffee goes ( I'm drinking some right now ) I'd have to venture that my favourite all time coffee is the coffee I had in Cuba. I brought some of their Cubita over and its great. The coffee I keep hearing about and haven't tasted yet is "Blue Mountain" from Jamaica which apparently is to die for.

Also Doug their is an amazing documentary that aired on TVO last year about coffee that was in 3 parts. It was the most in depth investigation on coffee that I've ever seen. You might have to check it out.

I love the Jeremy Lin story personally, and I don't see it as being overhyped. I've watched all of his games with NY so far and the kid is real good, and he LOVES to attack the rim. Love it.

Happy V-Day all.

[Ken B]

I really enjoy snippets of Blue Jays news, and other points of interest. Diversification is what keeps many of us coming back. I 've listened to many of your music selections, and have to say that when you're of a certain vintage, they do bring back fond memories. Keep up the good reporting.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

If Jeremy Lin can put up numbers in his second NBA week like he did in his first, he's the greatest sports story since Seabiscuit. Even if he doesn't, it's a great, great story already.
Remember Brad Jennings' start here. Started great guns, cooled off considerably, and now back to playing at a high level this season. You can picture a similar path for Lin. Hope he does that well.
However the mysterious case of Jeremy Lin pans out, it sure has been good for basketball in the global picture. If the NBA was a public company, you'd have wanted to buy stocks, oh, about 2-3 weeks ago...
Cheers. Go Raps! Go Lin! Should be fun!

[Lorie]

Morning Doug!
One of the best things about visiting Ottawa is hanging out at Bridgehead Coffee (my favourite location is the one at Bank and Second 'cause, you know, you can't beat The Glebe). And, I generally go with a cup of Mayan Fusion, but based on some recommendations here, next time there I will most definitely try their new Limited Edition Costa Rican Cloud Forest blend. And isn't this Lin-Thingy fun? Luck, timing and a someone who believed in him. Some would say that's all you need. But not these guys. And rightly so!
Cheers!
http://youtu.be/r4p8qxGbpOk

[Mr. Cook]

I had no idea how pervasive Linsanity was until I read a business article about how his recent success has made MSG stock jump and a lot of big firms were shorting it and lost money--which I think is hilarious. Similarly, he alone has resolved the television dispute between MSG TV and a competitor. Now that's a phenom.

[sportsbabel]

Agreed they didn't drop the ball on Lin, but what about earlier in the year when the collective efforts at the SF were brutal: why not take a flier on somebody from the D-League, who certainly could not have done any worse than the incumbents? Yes, James Johnson has finally come around and started playing solid ball, but Butler's minutes and production could then and now still be filled by somebody hungrier and looking for that same chance Lin finally got. What's the risk with a free roster spot open? Why do we keep talking about the Spurs as that franchise which continually unearths gems?

(ps. oops, OK there's no roster spot open, wasn't counting Solo, so perhaps leave as a hypothetical question.)

Or maybe this: If finding hidden gems is 99% about a guy finding the right coach and system for his game, then rather than Colangelo just looking for any potential player, what *specific* qualities are unique to Casey's approach that might allow a certain player to flourish "unexpectedly"??

[Jason]

Re your java question: Whatever roast you choose, just don't succumb to those automatic disc thingies. Just another example of our society becoming more lazy, and people throwing away money just to save some effort and time. I use a percolator at the cottage, and even better my 8-yr-old volunteers to make it every morning ;-)

[LeeZ]

Re: Mayweather's idiotic tweet. If you remove the racial chip from his shoulder, there is a glimmer of truth to what he says. Lin's being Asian has indeed ADDED to all the hullabaloo (as opposed to generating it). There have been countless articles and interviews with members of the "Asian community" documenting their pride and excitement.

[Thomas]

So glad Geoffry wrote that question: Where as Doug didnt think it was a good idea to bring in Lin whne Bayless was down - The Raptors and BC did. The story (another one missed by The Star) is in the Sun or you can read it at Hoopsworld. BC explains that Lin was infact strongly in thier radar, then the Knicks grabbed him - the Raps were waiting for the Knicks to release him and they never did. But you all go and read it!...I dont wanna spoil the story. Doug Smith and BC (the Raps) not on the same page again.

[Peter]

Thanks for the blog, Doug.

Mayweather's words remind me of some of the comments made by some poeple about Larry Bird back in the day. "If he was black, no one would be making a big deal about him," kind of thing.

It's ridiculous, obviously. And, besides Lin being a great story, the actual numbers are against Mayweather as well. Lin's scoring average for his first five games is second to only Allen Iverson's first five games in the modern NBA (I believe). And, New York has started to win games as well. It's a combination of all those things, and the things you mentioned, Doug, that make Lin a story to watch.

And you're right, Doug, this kind of comment was probably coming eventually, and that's an unfortunate comment on our society.

[Lorie]

@Tim H: My apologies. My YouTube link today salutes Valentine's Day: it's a clip of The Beatles in studio, filmed in glorious black and white - and with an extraordinarily young George Martin overseeing it all - singing "All You Need Is Love".

[Tim]

I agree that the fact Lin was passed over by so many team's doesn't indicate a huge flaw in the NBA talent evaluation system. It was probably just bad luck, both for him and the teams. He might not be the next Steve Nash, but he definitely seems like a solid NBA player, at the least.

I wonder though, if his story might be more of an indictment of the college scouting system. Check out this article I found from espn's TrueHoop:

Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times: As a senior at Palo Alto High in 2006, Jeremy Lin was the San Francisco Chronicle’s basketball player of the year. The point guard who would go on to become a New York Knicks sensation also had zero scholarship offers. But his high school coach, Peter Diepenbrock, said he never thought Lin’s being an Asian American might have caused college coaches to stay away because the Central Coast Section of about 125 schools typically produces only three Division I college players in a five-year period. Diepenbrock’s perception changed the next year, he said, when 10 Division I coaches scouted a black Palo Alto player whom Diepenbrock described as someone who “could have been a nice junior college player.” “That’s when I’m going, there might be something to this here,” Diepenbrock said. “If [Lin] was African American or Caucasian, it might have been a different deal.”

Maybe if Lin had been recruited by a Division I school and had the opportunity to shine in college, he would have been a 1st round pick and gotten a better shot at making the league right off the bat. So I don't think the nba scouts necessarily failed him, but maybe prejudice had a hand in steering him away from the nba in his earlier years.

[Moshigh]

Im a hater today. I hope linsanity lands on its head tonight against the Raptors and then he could pick up in there next game. Raptors need Maglorie to set some hard screens for him. Raptors dont allow Lin to go off on you please. Its a great story for Asian's in basketball. Im sure this will motivate many to keep tryin in the sport.

Blue Mountain Coffee from Jamaica is certainly a top grade!!!

I still like Mayweather, but that comment wasnt relivant. Chaulk it up as a silly thing to say.
I do agree with him that Pacquiao is a chump and scared to fight him. Pacquiao is worried about his face getting messed up as he is tryn to run for politics!!

[Leonardo Tapino]

Lin's story is huge because it's happenning in New York. If the whole story was happening in Charlotte or Toronto it would have just a few line in the sport sections of the national newspapers.
Only in New York...........only in New York.........

[Dave]

It will be interesting to see how things go for Lin when ball stopper (Carmelo Anthony) comes back. Carmelo is a good individual player but doesn't help teams win (look at Denver).

Coffee - We like the "Williams" brand of coffee beans from Costco - a dark mellow favorable coffee.

[Rob. V]

Lin is a feel good story to be sure. I personally appreciate you "understating" it though dude.
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What's insane is the Media annointed him...um... "GOD". I'm happy for him too, but it's (5) Basketball games.
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League reporters have interviewed EVERY person in the world that has (at some point) brushed shoulders with this kid (in passing). Have we not exhausted all of our "sources" yet.
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Does anyone else find this amusing? I mean, what's left to ask/say?
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More poignant comments on Jeremy Lin from around the league (in case you've missed them):
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D'antoni: We knew he had Michael Jordan like talent, but here in NY it's whatever Carmelo and Mr. Dolan want. I dont know what to say really... I was just trying to lay low... and keep my mouth shut. I was just hoping not to get fired!.
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Colangelo on Lin: We liked him, he was tough, tough kid.... but Jim Kelly and the boys thought the 104 year old Anthony Carter was more suited to the Toronto Raptors.. um...you know... losing culture we've been trying to build over the past 16-17 seasons. When you've got a good thing going... why change it?
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Ernie Johnson: Charles, I really (REALLY) need you to stay on point here okay!.
Charles Barkley: Sure
Ernie Johnson: Any thoughts on Jeremy Lin.
Charles: Yes! Who??. Listen... I dont know a damn thing about no Germy Lind but let me tell you something... “We don't need refs, but I guess white guys need something to do".
Ernie Johnson: Anything else you'd like to add specifically on Jeremy Lin
Charles: Yes. “These are my new shoes. They're good shoes. They won't make you rich like me, they won't make you rebound like me, they definitely won't make you handsome like me. They'll only make you have shoes like me. That's it.”
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Mark Jackson: Mark, any insightful comments on Lin?
Jackson. Hand down, man down??
Reporter: Huh!, Anything else?
Jackson: Mama, there goes that man!. Amen!
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Shaq: (with a mouth full of marbles)... Jeremy.. you know... Kobe... Superman... um...Phil Jackson... you know... in New York.
Panel: Anyone in the history of broadcasting understand what Shaq just said??
Ernie Johnson: No, but the 400 pund diesel is about to take his pants off and dance like a baffoon in his underwear on live TV. Yiippeee!
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Great, all the experts ihave spoken on Jeremy Lin... can we please just let the kid play now!.

[Mark]

I loved Jamario, unfortunately he was more the kind of guy that was just fun to watch, dynamic on offense, but not necessarily a strong player overall. Players like that do make games fun to watch, though.

Similarly, I do love Lin's play right now because of the swift smoothness he's shown in attacking the rim. And I loved that one highlight dunk a couple of games back. It's exactly the kind of stuff to get excited over, because it's not just a player being successful, it's a player being successful in a way that's so entertaining to watch!

I don't think it's such a big deal to recognize the facet that his Asian heritage has brought to his story, though. Rather than "hurr hurr, he's only popular because he's Asian", it just adds to the story that there's a bit of a unique element to it. Here in Toronto, SO many of the guys I've played ball with over the years have been Asian, there's quite a following for the sport in that demo, I really think it makes perfect sense to highlight the emergence of NBAsian players and build some momentum with that fanbase. The guys I know are loving it. It's certainly not the only reason he's noteworthy, but it helps the story. I guess pointing that out and acting like it's a negative point isn't going to make a guy popular though, and rightfully so.

[joeu]

Like Frank Langille, I can heartily recommend CafeBrit. I have been ordering coffee from them for about 10 years, and their quality is consistently excellent ( I get the whole bean and grind myself ). The price is also quite good with the volume discount. At one time they would run out of some stock between harvests, but I think they are bigger now.

[Pipit]

To everyone whose following the Mayweather - Pacquiao saga knows that Floyd is a pure racist. I can't wait for the time when these two will meet in the ring and Pacquiao will beat the crap out of this woman beater.

[Paul Clugston]

Jeremy Lin is much more likely to be Brandon Jennings than Steve Nash... but still, what a story for a famous team that needed a surprise from the PG position.

I don't think the idiodic part of Mayweather's quote is the insinuation that his ethinicity is the reason for Lin's fame (although he's still mostly wrong...there's another Asian named Yi who has been playing in NJ and he is not over-hyped. No one talks about him because he's not good). The frustrating part is the second part of the quote that hints that black players are unappreciated. Not true in basketball in 2012. Just. Not. True.