We cannot lose. If we get a bad record, we get a high draft pick. If we get a mediocre record, that means at least one of our young players has developed into a star-level player.
J Lin was projected/listed as the 467th best player (out of 500) in the league last year by espn. He went on to become the most famous athlete in the world, and recently inked a $25.1 million 3 year deal. These rankings mean nothing.
No, he's not. He's probably one of the most polarizing figures after LeBron though. He has as many haters as he does fans. All the haters claim all JLin fans are Asian and all JLin fans consider Jeremy Lin an all-star player.
Why is it unfortunate? It's hard to imagine a more improbable success story in all of pro sports. He was waived twice within weeks, considered leaving the game permanently, gets ONE shot and completely destroys the league. As in, he has the best starting stretch in the history of the game. This is after being overlooked for a scholarship despite winning a high school title and being named mvp, and after enduring years of taunts and verbal abuse as a star at harvard. Even when he was starring on the knicks, he was still sleeping on his brother's couch! It shows you what hard work and determination can do in the face of racism and adversity. If that's "unfortunate" that talent and hardwork can overcome adversity, I feel sorry for you.
I know people who now absolutely nothing about the NBA. Living in Australia, everyone really only cares about the Rugby (in Sydney) or Aussie Rulles Football (in Melbourne). Even cricket is dying here. Now these people who know nothing about the NBA have never heard of Lebron James. They have heard of two currently active NBA payers though. One is Kobe, the other starts with L.... ends with IN. I will agree that he is, at the very least, the 2nd most famous currently active player in the world after Kobe.
He is probably one of the most popular athletes in the world. I am not kidding you. People in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Canada and Europe know about him. Also include the US and Australia Like I am not even joking around. And you are right he is ridiculously polarizing. It is a little sad really.
To answer my own question, some fans and athletes find it "unfortunate" that a non-black athlete, guys like Tebow and Lin are getting the level of attention that they are. After all, Carmelo is nearly a 10 year vet, has posted numbers for a long time and has a crazy resume. Yet, the garden boos him. The thing is, people love an underdog story. People who overcome adversity. That's what life is about. I'd rather root for an underdog rather than a gifted under-achiever. As in Carmelo who arrives out of shape. Or LeBron who shoulder bumps and bad mouths his coach. Or Westbrook and Wall, who can jump out of the building but ignore their teammates to take bad shots. And let's not get into kobe and colorado ("i'm guilty of infidelity").
Holy crap, another Lin thread! As far as the OP, no, I see the rockets as a high 30/low 40 win team this upcoming year.
maybe 29 is too low. I would have said 27 (as roster stands now). But really that's just quibbling about minute differences.
Yes they do. And in Azerbaijan as well. Didn't you know that Linsanity temporarily halted the conflict in Syria. And the conflict only started up again because the Knicks refused to match.
The fact that he is polarizing at all is sad. It's a bunch of bull*** started by Stephen A Smith, ESPN's resident knucklehead.
