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Everyone who knows me, knows that I am a die-hard fan of the New York Knicks. I have been a fan during the 5 and 6 game losing streaks, and have been a (much happier) fan during our 5 and 6 game winning streaks. Since I started this political blog over a year ago, I have been waiting for the day that I can mention my Knicks. The only problem is, although basketball and politics share some similarities, I have found it difficult to connect the two enough to justify a Knicks-focused article…..Until now!
Ladies and Gentlemen, Repbulicans and Democrats, I am proud to say that the time has finally come!—Thanks to LINsanity!
The only reason why I get away with posting this on my political blog is because the “Linsanity,” as its called, has even reached the ears of our Basketball-loving President. According to his Press Secretary, the President of the United States is “very impressed” with Mr. Lin and has been taking about Lin to his inner circle. And because the President spoke on it, it is officially political, and can be written about on NavigatingPolitics.com! I hope that is enough justification for you!
Whether you like it or not (I love it), the story of Jeremy Lin has captivated the nation. It is a story of how a Harvard Graduate (who wasn’t even offered athletic scholarship after High School) and an un-drafted NBA player (who was sleeping on a teammates couch), became the record-breaking star of the New York Knicks. Its an American story of someone that kept working, kept improving, and remained persistent even as he was overlooked by team after team. Its also a story of always being prepared, because when his number was called by a desperate coach looking for a spark, Jeremy Lin rose to the occasion.
As a Knicks fan, I can not be more happy (excluding my emotion if we win a championship) than I have been these past two weeks as Lin scored 38 points on the veteran Kobe Bryant, and confidently made a game winning 3-pointer with .5 seconds left on the clock last night. This has been what Knicks fans have been begging for: the mixture of skill, energy, and passion that translates into wins.
However, his story speaks to a larger point and uncovers a flaw in our society. It’s an idea that is not new or groundbreaking, but is one that stubbornly remains true. It’s the fact that too many people in decision-making roles view different as deficient. Everyday, in many arenas, quality people are simply overlooked.
But what is so disappointing is that Lin finally was given his opportunity only because about a half-dozen weird happenstances happened to occur — the owners’ lockout, salary-cap manipulations, trades that fell through, injuries and, at last, a coach’s sheer desperation. Talk about divine intervention.
But, in counterpoint, what is so dispiriting is to contemplate not only how many basketball players, but how many other athletes, how many artists and actors and musicians and writers, how many special creative talents never get fulfilled because the so-called experts are always looking in the same places. -Frank Deford, NPR (Read Full Commentary)
This fundamental flaw is prominent in politics, especially at the federal level. A candidate who is not a Republican or Democrat usually is immediately overlooked by the public. A candidate who is not wealthy usually doesn’t have a chance (congressional wealth is about 5x more than average American). And just as a politician who doesn’t “look or play the part” is overlooked, a basketball player who didn’t “look the part” was ignored. The point is, as with Jeremy Lin, people who don’t “fit the part” are overlooked daily. As these same people continue to rise up and prove us wrong, it becomes our responsibility to change our thought process and give society’s underdogs a chance. Until that happens, these “Lin” moments will continue to occur, in which we desperately ask ourselves “how did everyone not see what he himself always knew.”
**Extra** Take a look at this interview done by TJ Holmes featuring Jeremy Lin last March just after he got his diploma. Very Interesting:
What do YOU think of the “Linsanity?” Comment Below.
GREAT POINT