Jeremy Lin by Bill Davis

Author:Bill Davis [Davis, Bill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4532-5863-7
Publisher: Right Fit Reading
Published: 2012-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

A Bumpy Road to the NBA

In May of 2010, Jeremy’s classmates gathered in a sea of black robes in Tercentenary Theater. The crowd of proud students and families clamored to hear President Drew Faust bestow Harvard degrees upon the Class of 2010.

The Lins, however, were notably absent. Jeremy was instead more than 3,000 miles away, in Los Angeles, working out for the Lakers in pre-draft trials.1 On a trip back to Cambridge, Lin finally picked up his diploma. As he told The Boston Herald, “I just went to the registrar’s office and picked it up. It was in an envelope. Not much of a celebration. I showed both my IDs and picked it up and headed on my way… It’s kind of crazy – four years and I’m finally able to get a piece of paper that officialized [sic] everything.”2

But a hopeful journey to the big leagues started on a disappointing note for the Harvard graduate. As The New York Times reported, “eight teams invited [Lin] to pre-draft workouts, then he was overlooked through 2 rounds and 60 players chosen.”3

It was not that Lin wasn’t talented; it was more that his talents didn’t translate to the workouts, which were composed differently than regulation games. As Lin explained to the Times, “[The workouts are] skill work, some shooting, and they’re one on one or two on two or three on three, and that’s not where I excel. I’ve never played basketball like that.”4

That fall, Jeremy failed to be picked in the 2010 NBA Draft. It was a crushing moment for an individual who had come so far, since his days as a 5-foot-3, 120-pound freshman at Palo Alto High School. After all, this seemed to be the “Year of Jeremy.” His exploits were written up by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, even TIME Magazine. But attention and record-breaking Ivy League play didn’t necessarily translate into opportunity.

Well, there was one opportunity on the table. An invitation came in the form of a position on the Dallas Mavericks’ summer-league team. Jeremy’s senior year triumph at Harvard had left an impression on General Manager Donnie Nelson and the Mavs scouts.5 Lin took what he could get.

Lin headed to Las Vegas. He was not used to “Sin City,” his own values very different from the vice and extravagance that filled the Nevada metropolis. But Lin ignored the casinos and the variety shows, instead focusing on what he came there to do.

In his first five games, Lin was consistent, though not extraordinary. He kept up with the other players, at times taking advantage of his strengths, but he did not yet make a splash. The sixth and final game, however, changed everything. Up against the No. 1 NBA draft choice John Wall, Lin turned it on. The New York Times recreated the moment:

“In the fourth quarter, Lin forced a jump ball with Wall, made a steal, tore a rebound from a 7-footer, hit a 3-pointer and made a rousing spin move that drew a charging call, dredging boos from the crowd.

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