LET'S GO!!!

Ive got an hour before biochem starts and I feel compelled to bring to your attention a man by the name of Jeremy Lin. If your like me; busy and only casually following basket ball this season you may have missed the best thing to happen in sports in a long time. Meet Jeremy Lin, #17, starting point guard for the New York Knicks. He wasn't always the starter, in fact before last Saturday he was fourth string and calculating his next move when he would most likely be cut from the roster. Due to injuries Lin got the chance he needed last Saturday and what has transpired over the last week can be described as LINSANITY! Ok so a back-up having a couple of good games may not be all that exciting, that is until you find out this guy's story.
To start Jeremy Lin is one of only a handful of Asian-Americans to ever suit up for an NBA team. Lin was born and raised in Palo Alto to Taiwanese parents and was a basketball standout early on. His dad discovered basketball as a adult for the very first time and instantly fell in love with the game. He taught Jeremy by recording the greats on tv and teaching him fundamentals. In high school Lin started for the varsity team as a freshman and put up impressive numbers. He lead the team in several categories, received several awards, and local recognition for his superior play. However, Lin was completely passed over by college scouts and was never offered any scholarship opportunities despite being one of the best point guards in the state. Despite his success he faced an unfair stigma of Asian-Americans and was often treated to racial taunting at games. Unfazed by the lack of respect for his game Jeremy decided to go to college at Harvard. The first in his family to go to college Jeremy decided to make it count by going to Harvard and playing for their historically lackluster team. Though they are a division I school, Harvard traditionally has not garnered much attention with their basketball program only turning out one (ONE!) NBA player in the 1950's.
As you might have guessed Jeremy continued to play at a high level all the while earning a degree in economics. Though basketball was forever his dream the question remained: would he ever get his chance? Again the talent scouts inexplicably passed over Jeremy Lin with no one drafting him. Lin would, however, not be denied his chance earning a fourth string spot on the Warriors last year as a undrafted Harvard grad.He was cut before his true talent could see the light of day.
This year Lin worked his way on to the Knicks roster has the 15th guy on the team. On Saturday several injuries had cleared the way for Lin to make his first start in the NBA for one of the biggest, most storied, franchises in all of professional sports. A week later ESPN is the Lin network. In 5 straight games the Knicks have not lost. In 5 straight games Lin has scored over 20 pts and dished 8 assists. In fact no other player except LeBron James has even come close to his numbers for his first 5 games. Reports are that Jeremy lives on his brothers couch in NY with no money and no contract to secure his own place. He was prepared to be cut in the next three weeks and now he is leading the Knicks! On Friday he out-dueled Kobe Bryant to score a team high (for the year) 38 pts! From zero to hero in one week. The injured all-stars (86 million in contracts) are on the bench watching this guy lead the team to 5 straight victories. Read more of his story here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=4730385

I think we can all learn a little something from number 17. This last week I had a similar though less publicized breakthrough. After 12 years of hard work and patience I took a big step by getting an interview at UC Davis. I am so grateful to have made it to this point. My grades and test scores don't compare well to many of the candidate in the applicant pool and I may not eventually make it into Davis. No matter, because at least this interview gives me an opportunity to show those admissions folks that I deserve a spot on their roster. All of my cousins, siblings, family, friends: It doesn't matter where you come from, it doesn't matter what you look like, it doesn't matter what other people think of you. Jeremy Lin believed in himself as a basketball player, he laced up his sneakers and went to work. What matters is belief in yourself and dedication to the work that will get you to where you want to be. Jeremy may not end up the MVP of the league but he has already accomplished way more by inspiring millions. I may not make it in this year but as Lin has showed me, IT DON'T MATTER. Gimme my chance to shine! I believe! LET'S GO!!!!

watch him fearlessly attack the champion lakers

Humble hero from Harvard

Lets GO!!