America loves underdogs, which is why the movie “Rudy” became so big. The movie was a feel-good flick, based on a true story about Dan “Rudy” Ruettiger, a 5’6, 165 lb. diminutive kid who loves football and dreams of playing for Notre Dame. According to the movie, Rudy goes to great lengths to first get to Notre Dame, and then he works super hard to at least practice with the big guys. Finally in the closing sequence when Notre Dame is far ahead, the coach allows him to play one time, and Rudy manages to sack the quarterback. My business coach recommended a book called StrengthsFinder 2.0 that sums it up well (p.4):
Ruettiger was later invited to the White House, where he met President Bill Clinton, Colin Powell, and football legend Joe Montana. While Rudy’s perserverance is admirable, in the end, he played a few seconds of college football and made a single tackle…after thousands of hours of practice.
In other words, while we can respect Rudy for his heart and his work ethic, the end result is that he wasn’t exactly a game killer on the field. He didn’t lack heart, but he lacked the natural athleticism and size that football usually requires.
A FB feed led me to this excellent post by David Leonard, where he shoots down this Salon piece by Andrew Leonard (I’m assuming they’re no relation since one dude is white and the other black) for “invoking the language of ‘genetics.’” Andrew Leonard, with his “language of ‘genetics,’” thinks that Jeremy Lin is simply a social media trend that will end. He writes:
Lin didn’t make the NBA because he’s freakishly tall, like the 7-foot-4 Yao Ming (Lin is “only” 6″3′). He’s there because he can play ball, because he has a wicked fast first step when he drives to the basket, and he knows how to deliver the rock to the big guys (a skill a surprising number of “legitimate” NBA guards show little interest in mastering). He’s a triumph of will over genetic endowment, a fact that makes him inspiring to an entire generation of Californian kids restless with their model minority shackles.
“A triumph of will over genetic endowment?” Sounds a lot like someone has been smoking the human biodiversity crack pipe! Even if you put “only” in quotes, Jeremy is 6 foot 3 and 200 lbs. That’s well within the normal spectrum–even slightly on the larger side. He’s two inches taller than John Stockton, the same height as Steve Nash, and just an inch shorter than Jason Kidd. According to the wiki entry on “Point guard”:
Most current NBA point guards are between 5’10″ and 6’4″ (1.93 m) or shorter in height. In 2011 the average height point guards in the NBA was just over 6’1″.
The wiki entry isn’t footnoted, but it sounds right to me. If you look at the top point guards in recent times, they’re all around the same size–Lin is right in there with everyone else. Some people may think of him as being small simply because of his race or maybe his youthful looks (he is, after all, only 23), but the idea of Lin being small or not “legitimate” doesn’t exactly match up with reality.
Going back to the Rudy analogy–some people have drive but no talent, or drive but no physical gifts. Michael Jordan was known for his work ethic, but he would never get as far as he did if he were the same size as Muggsy Bogues, who was a good player but not on the same level as Jordan. Jeremy Lin has the talent, the drive, and the physical gifts that can enable him to succeed. People are right to point out that he’s an underdog based on his racial demographic and Harvard pedigree, but people ought to notice that at least in terms of size, he’s a big, tall, strong dude who is similar in size to the league’s historical best point guards.
Related posts:
“A triumph of will over genetic endowment?” Sounds a lot like someone has been smoking the human biodiversity crack pipe!
Nothing wrong with HBD but you are correct than Lin is not using will to cover a lack of physical talent.
Quickness is a genetic trait like height. And it’s close to being as difficult to develop as height. A quick 6’3″ guard who can handle the ball, pass and shoot is just about perfect for the NBA point guard position.
Nothing wrong with it if you’re like 9 years old and have never taken a science class/
@ww
Lol, there’s a lot of white Americans in college that are 6’3 and they are rubbish. Similarly Fredette can’t handle the rock for sh*t.
Since you believe in HBD. Are you white? And do you happen to be a rice-chaser as well?
@bww
Just pointing one thing, most of these figures are ‘in shoes’. And a key measurement these days is wing-span.
Meanwhile check out Isaiah Thomas who’s one of the more exciting cookies around and he’s sub 5’9
I wanted to only talk about Lin, but instead I have to write about HBD again.
Calling someone a 9 year old who never taken a science class is an insult not a rebuttal. Even if taken seriously, science at this moment doesn’t seem to undeniably prove or deny the idea that averages between races could be different. So someone who taken a science class or multiple science classes shouldn’t be able to 100% rule out or in the idea.
Since I don’t want to make another long-winded post again when I wan to talk about Lin. I’ll just refer to that post by Jason made on December 25th that I just read that sounds like a reasonable argument to me.
——————
You’re correct that Lin got that far because he has the talent and the will that drive him to the NBA.
The less talent a person has, the more drive (or creative ways to make a strength from somewhere) is needed.
But there’s a point that there’s better ways to put thousands of hours into something. Rudy may counts as a good payoff considering everything, but for most, thousands of hours of practice for a few seconds of college football and a tackle is a poor trade-off. In a way, if one thinks hard enough, all the attention Rudy is from the expectations was set that low. So low that a single tackle with a few seconds of play equates to a visit from the President and Joe Montana. That’s a pretty depressing thought – to be expected so low that to pulling off something banal for others is an epic achievement for you.
At 8Asians, their post about Jeremy is that. The media explosion is all from such low expectation of Asians. Fortunately I disagree with that, there’s enough to him that it would have been a sensation regardless of race. If not, then Tim Tebow wouldn’t have been so big. Also, he would have been bigger news when he just got on with Golden State rather than a couple of feel good articles. Though I did heard it was a sensation with the AA community there, that kinda bothered me – save the praise for good performance not just getting off the bench- which is what he been doing lately.
Oh, I forgot to write the other thing about Lin. He did show excellent willpower though. He could have ditched the dream as so many points. I’m sure there’s thousands of Asians alone who dream of top-tier sports for practicality. A few perhaps accepted a compromise of being close to it like becoming a sports writer, but Lin didn’t quit and I think he faced a lot more reason to than others.
He could easily quit after seeing a bunch of college acceptances but no college ball offers. Or when he wasn’t drafted after college. Or when he cut the first time or the second time. He could have just picked a standard career path like most of us with nice claim of “back in High School, I was a state champion player.” Many people out there can say and never moved on to the next level. His parents, from what I can gather, was pretty neutral. They weren’t telling him to stop, but they did gave him the “find a backup plan – maybe a doctor or engineer.”
Instead, he refused them all and forged his own path. He took the best offer he got and play ball at Harvard and kept improving. He make the critical trip to play in the summer league after getting undrafted. He kept going as long there was still an option somewhere to keep going. No compromise. Just see it through to the end.
N says:
February 12, 2012 at 5:53 pm
@ww
Lol, there’s a lot of white Americans in college that are 6’3 and they are rubbish.
Since your emotions seem to have interfered with your reading comprehension I’ll repost part of what I wrote to help you out:
Quickness is a genetic trait like height. And it’s close to being as difficult to develop as height. A quick 6’3″ guard…
That’s not completely true. Speed can be accomplished by several totally different body types and muscle configurations. It’s not as simple as just “a genetic trait.”
@WW
But there are so many of them, how come they are so rubbish?
King says:
February 13, 2012 at 12:05 am
“Quickness is a genetic trait like height. And it’s close to being as difficult to develop as height. “
That’s not completely true. Speed can be accomplished by several totally different body types and muscle configurations. It’s not as simple as just “a genetic trait.”
No wonder you aren’t a big fan of HBD. You don’t sound like you are a big fan of genetics either.
Speed can be accomplished by several totally different body types and muscle configurations.
LOL. And none of which are without a genetic basis.
N says:
February 13, 2012 at 12:54 am
@WW
But there are so many of them, how come they are so rubbish?
Same reason other 6’3″ Asians, blacks, East Indians and people of other races are “so rubbish”.
Lol! Another anonymous expert on HBD and “anti white male leftists” pops out of the woodwork to tell us how every topic relates to HBD.
The one thing this guy will never be an expert on is his own mental illness and compulsions.
@ww
But the non-white rubbish players don’t get scholarships like the rubbish white players does, that’s strange. Must be because of HBD. Ditto all the rubbish white QBs.
Hmmm…and I wonder why most rice-chasers are also HBDers, I wonder what the connection is.
I thought quickness was more related to birth order than genetics. Does Lin have older siblings? Apparently, the greater majority of world class athletes and Olympic medalists have older siblings. They “learn” their quickness from being the youngest in the family and running after their older siblings all the time.
I thought Dreamer made some good points. So many young people do “give up” on their dream if they stumble upon a few obstacles and practicality starts ruling their brain. It’s doubly hard when you have Asian parents. The courage comes into play when people go “all in” and go against the critics and believe in themselves. I like Lin’s story b/c it’s not the typical “I was born in the ghetto and basketball was the only way I could live and make something of myself. It was either basketball or dealing drugs…blah blah blah” Lin’s story may in fact be about overcoming even more adversity. He graduated from Harvard. His life would have been great and cushy even without basketball. His peers probably thought he was crazy b/c he didn’t end up going to B school or getting a job with a big firm or starting up a company or whatever the things most Harvard grads do. Lin stayed a dreamer and believed in himself to not take the secure way out. He took the difficult and lonely path. I mean – it’s not like he had Asian role models in the NBA to give him evidence that he could “make it.” In this regards, I think his story is great and inspiring.
Saying that something has a genetic basis is not the same as saying that a certain action or advantage is a “genetic trait.” Speed is often helped by genetics, but there are also other factors at work such as environment, tenacity, and will. The physical genetics is a part of the puzzle but it’s certainly not all of it.
A person who trains properly, has a desire to improve, and the tenacity to work at it tirelessly will actually get faster. The same is not true of height. Your comparison is incorrect.
Dreamer:
It was pretty funny, especially given the flippancy of the first commenter towards scientific racism. It was kinda bizarre, like, “nothing wrong with being a racist conformist!” Second of all, if a person thinks there’s “nothing wrong” with accepting scientific racism based on the “proof” that certain people are offering, then it would seem that that person isn’t exactly being scientific. HBD proponents like to talk about Stephen Hsu, and clearly even Hsu has problems with it as it is right now, which is why he isn’t a proponent.
But back on topic (and since we already have an HBD thread), I agree with your comments on both Rudy and Jeremy. Both Rudy and Jeremy have heart. Perhaps for Rudy, that was still what he was meant to do–serve as an inspiration. The great thing about Jeremy is that he has the ability to lead and develop and can really bring something new to the game. It’s also great that he kept at it.
Dreamer/Linda:
I do wonder what kind of role his family played. I know Earl Woods was instrumental in Tiger’s success. Jeremy has said that his parents always supported him, and I’m probably inclined to believe him on this. He did say that his father played with him. I’d love to read his parents’ reflections on “Raising Linsanity.”
N:
Isaiah Thomas? Well, I’d like to see how far he goes. 5’9 is probably sufficient to be okay, but there are certain moves that become harder for guys under 6′ or 5’11. To defend against a short guy, a big dude defending against a 5’9 guard usually only has to put his hands out!
Anonymous HBD’er:
There’s no way you can equate the genetics that influences height with that which influences quickness. Ask any ball player how much their genetic quickness will develop around without practice and exercise.
Oh my. Carmelo Antony just said that Jeremy Lin is “our Rudy.”
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/story/2012-02-13/Lin-becomes-our-Rudy-to-New-York-Knicks-teammates/53078888/1
Not a very good comparison!
@king
Measuring quickness is a bit like trying to measure intelligence. Are we talking about getting from A to B in a straight line? Are we talking about lateral movements? Are we talking about evasiveness? Are we talking about using picks and using screens? Are we factor fatigue in to it?
But it’s funny that a white guy that believes in HBD has a problem applying
the same HBD principles when it’s used negatively on the white american folks.
@bww
Lol, Thomas will be a better defender that the 6’2 Fredette will ever be.
As a Sacto Kings fan… please do not remind me about Jimmer Fredette.
re: Jeremy’s family.
I believe his dad used to take him and his 2 brothers to the gym pretty often (I believe it was 3-4 times a week) to practice their basketball fundamentals.
Both of his brother also played on the Palo Alto Varsity team and I think his younger brother is a D2 or D3 player right now at some small college. Neither are anywhere close to Jeremy in terms of basketball abilities but that’s common in a lot of cases (i.e. Blake Griffin and Jrue Holliday both have brothers whose basketball skills pale in comparison)
Regardless, Lin’s IQ and fundamentals can at least be somewhat derived from his dad’s persistence and instilling. Now… if only Asian parents were more like the Lins and shifted their focus from school/music to sports ;p.
@ray
But I thought the kings fans love Fredette, so much so that some were calling Smart to be fired because he didn’t play Fredette. I guess those fans are probably based in Utah, though.
^ Ridiculous!! My fans only love ME!
@king
Lol, I was quite slow in catching that.
“It’s not that Jimmer can’t defend, it’s because he is such a great part of the offense that the coach wants him to conserve his energy.”
I listened to Jason Whitlock today on FOX Sports radio. It wasn’t much of an apology. His main defense was we should check his track record and he’s never done anything like this before. What I would’ve asked was, why was he so tough on Don Imus when he made the comment of those women’s basketball players. Should he now take that back since he now knows how it feels to be labeled racist from a comment?
Also, who here has bought the NBA broadband Package cause of Lin. I did.
Oh my fukin’ god, the legend of Lin continues with a game winning three pointer
This guy is on fire! Time for a shoe contract!.
^^^
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/video-jeremy-lin-adds-legend-030500919.html
Holy shit! I can’t believe what I saw tonight. Just can’t believe it. Amazing. Posted here:
http://www.bigwowo.com/2012/02/jeremy-lin-is-just-like-you/
Asian American Intellectualism, Activism, Literature…and Jeremy Lin.
I think all Asians are cheering for Lin. I believe even the AFs who go out with WMs only. Think about it. The reason she probably dates Whites only is probably in a lot of cases, she never saw any good representation of AMs or Asians in general. Not saying this is going to change her dating habits but it will make her feel at least somewhat equal to the WM and his family she married into.
I’m guessing AFs feel inferior to the brother or sister of her WM husband who is married to another white person and end up having white looking kids. How many times does she feel (although existent or not, could be her paranoia) her kids are treated not as well by her in-laws? You can make the same example with AMs who date WFs only too but not as extreme I suppose. Again, this isn’t everyone but it’s something I thought about.
Jeremy Lin, a guy even self hating Asians love!
^ LOL
Some still don’t get it
It won’t change a thing wrt self-hating AF & potato chasing AF.
AF (Self-hating or with whitey) have had Jeremy Lin, an Asian man, rammed down their throats.
In short they have been forced to BEGRUDGINGLY acknowledge a positive image of AM.
Also, I’m sure their white friends/boyfriends have confronted the AF about the issue (their white friends still see them as Asian even if they don’t themselves. LOL).
How else do you expect them to react?
They are grinning and bearing it thru gritted teeth.
In reality this is whitey loving AF’s worst nightmare, to see Jeremy Lin, an Asian male, get fame on a massive scale, adulation from all races, men & women (minus self-hating AF & potato chasers, of course)
They prefer to keep Asian males in nice boxes: nerd, unathletic etc
They love seeing AFCC members & Asian females in the public eye with white dudes (it bolsters their ego). And they loved NOT seeing Asian males in the public eye.
Many of these self-hating Asian females in a social gathering which had Asian males would pretend AM did not exist or were beneath them, even snubbing them totally.
I’m sure you’ve all been in that movie by now.
They would prefer to not acknowledge the existence of AM or just mockingly talk shit about them in front of their white friends, given half a chance.
By disassociating themselves from their Asianness they feel it makes them more ‘white’
Just remember: all the negative Asian stereotypes really only applied to Asian MALES.
Not Asian females.
AF have zero vested interested in covering AM’s backs.
In fact, self hating AF even perpetuate the stereotypes.
With their White boyfriends they talk shit (even if untrue) about AM’s dingaling & compliment the white dude as “oh you’re the best I’ve been with. Much bigger & better my previous Asian boyfriend. Eww..”
You get the picture.
And some of you are very naive to believe & accept at face value what comes out of a women’s mouth.
Often women will give any plausible reason to fit the facts.
It’s a game called: I’ll just toss the a ball & let the silly buggers chase after it.
DO NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP & PLAY THIS GAME!!!
It’s a word game where they make the rules.
Stupid men who don’t see it play along & get mind fucked.
AF give some arbitrary reasons why Asian men are so bad – by doing this they put men on the DEFENSIVE.
Cos stupid men who don’t understand accept what women say at face value, and spend all the their on blogs trying to refute the allegations..
The blogosphere has reams and reams of such posts.
See where this is going?
Has the penny dropped for some of you?
When you are on the defensive, you are off balance, on the back foot & can’t ‘attack’
(can’t take the iniative)
It’s a ploy often used in the animal kingdom by females to subdue the male (who are physically stronger so the female has to achieve it thru other means ie mind) AND get the upper hand, which is the objective
Throw a curveball > Confuse > Subdue
GAME THEORY, fellas
For example.
Ask self hating AF why they date white men, and they will come up with 10 reasons.
Eg AM are overbearing, misogynists.
But when it’s a white dude they say he’s macho, masculine, take control. LOL
Frankly, the AM can’t buy a break.
If he’s got two arms, well…it’s b/c he’s got 2 arms…LOL
The reasons put forward why AM are so bad are a red herring.
The REAL REASON why Asian females date/marry WM?
No AF would ever say it in public.
But the real reason is Because they want their children to be as white as possible.
This can only happen with WM.
Eugenics.
That’s something no Asian Male no matter how goodlooking, educated, rich etc can provide: white sperm.
It’s futile trying to “win them back”. Total waste of time & energy.
(So I’m with URB4N on this issue, I’ve been lurking & read a lot of back posts)
Asian Women (self hating/potato chasers) want their children to have to have, what they feel, the best breaks in life:
And that means first, LOOKING as white as possible.
That’s why if they have a child witha white dude who looks “more Asian” they are DAMNED disappointed!
Also, they don’t want their kids to go thru what they went thru
Eg: “Where are you from? No – where are you REALLY from?”.
Again – I’m sure all of you have been in this movie, too. LOL
Plus the know if they had been white they wouldn’t have faced the discrimination, obstacles & life’s bumps of being Asian
(c’mon you know it’s true)
Wow. Dude, you need to calm down. You don’t sound very bright generalizing. I don’t know about no negative stereotypes aimed at AFs but I do remember AM friends of mine saying they won’t date AFs because they have no bodies, ie ass or boobs. I’ve heard WMs say the same thing. You may hate to believe this but there are many WMs in the world who aren’t obsessed with AFs and will only date their own. Also, how is the image of a mousy girl, submissive sex object, or dragon lady a positive stereotype?
Skimmed through your whole rant. Someone’s pretty angry and wrote many things without thinking through.
I think a few AMs like to blame their inadequacies with obtaining the opposite sex on others instead of themselves. Not saying that’s you but you seem to think all of AMs problems are caused by AFs.
And your post is very sexist. You don’t say a word about AMs who are self hating who also only date WFs. Trust me on this, there’s more of these than you may think.
I had some trouble reading through Aggro’s long post in the short amount of time I have, so I just skimmed through.
It does seem to me that his observations on auto-racist Asian women are quite accurate. I.e, the real reason these women marry white, especially those who marry ANY white, is in order to assimilate. So if the assimilation process requires you to shit on Asian men just like everybody else, that’s what you’ll have to do harder too just to prove you’re a card carrying member.
Don’t know why…. Aggro’s posts remind me of Chr…’s quotes if he had posted after snorting a line of coke. LOL