Yao Ming, New York Knicks See Different Kinds of Hope in Jeremy Lin

Yao Ming knows a thing or two about Asians finding success in the NBA. The former Houston Rockets center was the first Chinese player to make a mark in the American game, and he likes what he sees from Knicks phenom Jeremy Lin.  “To be honest, I did not expect him to play so well,” Yao told Xinhua News Agency at a business forum Sunday when asked about Lin’s ascent in the Knicks organization and the immense attention — dubbed Linsanity — that ensued.

Lin (who had surgery Monday on a torn meniscus in his knee) is American-born, but his Chinese heritage has inspired a mass following in China, its Asian neighbors, and among Americans with Asian ties.  “In Lin’s success I see hope about how descendants of Chinese immigrants to the States can become successful in mainstream society,” Yao said.  The Asian-American population isn’t the only group pinning its hopes on Lin, though.

After the New York Knicks spent the first part of this year offering up underachieving stars and aimless performances, they became relevant again with Lin in the starting lineup. Nothing showed Lin’s value to the team more than the fallout from the news that the star point guard is gone for six weeks (and possibly the rest of the season) with a knee injury that required surgery.

Critics instantly opined that the Knicks’ season was over, and that chaos would return.  Apparently the Knicks agreed. The New York Daily News is now reporting that, while the Knicks knew Lin was badly hurt, they didn’t spread the word until after March 28 — the deadline for season ticketholders to invest in high-priced playoff seats.  The Knicks’ medical staff knew about the injury on at least March 26, the Daily News reports — even as emails graced with a photo of Lin invited ticketholders to get into the playoff spirit and spend money. Interim head coach Mike Woodson had already said Lin’s knee didn’t look good, but the team contradicted him until after the deadline, when official word came out that Lin would likely need surgery.  That’s one way to ruin a feel-good story.

Lin’s future with the Knicks is in question — the team will have to wrestle a couple of payroll monsters to keep him — but he’s still a lock to stay in the league. And perhaps the best part of his ascent was how he made it big by playing well, not just by being a marketing draw because of his heritage. (Think Yi Jianlian.)  In that regard, Lin has plenty in common with Yao, who was both an attraction and a producer. He left a legacy not only of being Chinese but also of being a great player.

Yao had little to say to the Xinhua News Agency about Lin following in his (gigantic) steps. He acknowledged he and Lin are very different, with Lin coming from seemingly nowhere to play in New York after being cut twice. Yao was well-known when he came to the NBA in 2002, picked No. 1 overall by the Rockets.  “Lin faces challenges as an NBA basketball player — he is not very tall, not very strong,” Yao acknowledged.  Yao said he was more interested in what the point guard can do with his own blend of skills.

Asians were heartbroken when Yao’s injuries finally became too much and forced him to retire, but Lin’s injury is of a different kind, and one that will likely only knock him out for some time this year. He should be back for more next season, leaving a summer of musings as to how great the Harvard revelation can be.  Hope continues for Linsanity fans.

Yao Ming, New York Knicks See Different Kinds of Hope in Jeremy Lin