The reason that Lin is such a huge story is because it so unlikely. The fact that he is the first Asian-American ever to play in the NBA, and the fact that he is doing it on the Knicks are only two of factors that make it so unlikely. As many have noted, there is simply no other story like it in the NBA--ever. John Starks is the only one I can think of as remotely similar, but Starks had Ewing, among others, on that team. Lin's ascent started with his team in a death spiral, the coach likely days away from either quitting or being fired, Lin himself days away from being cut (again), and the team's two marquee stars not playing.
If this story had happened in Memphis or anywhere else it would still be a big story, but it would be one that I was not watching every game, and I would only be aware of it through the headlines and highlights, which I sense is the case for many here. I like but do not love the NBA. Not enough to watch teams for which I do not root. The reason I am watching is because I am a Knicks fan and have been since birth, for better or worse. Even so, I honestly can't remember the last time I watched a Knicks regular season game from tip to buzzer, and in the past two weeks I have watched several. They are now an interesting, fun team to watch, and NY has been so starved for NBA relevance for so long that anyone--no matter what race, background, etc.--who made them relevant again would be heralded. If anything, Lin's story underscores what a massive blunder (imo) LeBron made in not choosing the Knicks. LeBron is everything Lin is not, but if he restored NBA legitimacy to the Knicks, he would be walking alongside Eli right now with the city on his shoulders. They don't call MSG "The World's Most Famous Arena" for nothing. This was such a golden opportunity, and the fact that it was passed up by the most likely of heroes and taken up by the least likely is, well, a huge story. Hard to understand how someone could not see that, and as many have noted, it likely says more about those who don't get or enjoy it. I feel sorry for them, because it is such a great human story, not just in sports but in life. Who knows how long it will last, but to not enjoy it is, imo, to not enjoy the essence of life itself.
From his dim comments here and his "white girl" comment in the Shabazz thread, I sense that "sammydabiz" is a troll with bigoted tendencies (to put it lightly). But in the hopes that some actual learning can occur here, sammy, please understand that your flip-flop is as transparent as a bad magician's trick. I will give you the opposite advice that you gave someone above: do not try law school, because you are apparently unable to grasp basic reason and logic. You started by saying that the only reason Lin is a big story is because of his race and the fact that he has done it on the Knicks. You quickly flipped to defending a point you never made, and which no one else has challenged; i.e., that Lin's race, among other things, have played a part in the story. That is called making a straw-man argument, and it is a favorite of dim-witted trolls who have been outed. You later sunk to other sports in a desperate attempt to defend what is plainly indefensible, so take the advice from others and stop digging. Either man up and admit you were off-base, or get lost. And maybe, just maybe, you can find something to enjoy from this story.
