NBA Phenom Jeremy Lin Reveals the Secret of His Success: His Faith
- Posted on February 15, 2012 at 2:30pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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I’m not sure how you could have access to the Internet and not have heard about Jeremy Lin by now. But if you haven’t, he is the Tebow-like, underdog-turned-star point guard for the New York Knicks who has taken the NBA by storm.
Aside from his incredible play, Lin has distinguished himself as a rare Harvard graduate playing in the NBA, the only Chinese-American in the league, and furthermore for his outspoken faith. In an interview with his hometown paper, the San Jose Mercury News (which Lin granted only on the condition of discussing faith), the rising star said his faith in God has triggered “Linsanity:”
“Sometimes you come up against a mountain and you end up making the mountain seem bigger than God,” said Lin, who spoke with this newspaper via phone on the condition that questions be limited to the issue of his spirituality.
Last year when he was playing for the Warriors, “I was on pins and needles. I was putting all this unnecessary pressure on myself. Now, I feel like I’m free out there.”
He can no longer stroll anonymously down the streets of New York, but Lin has found peace. He is bombarded with interview requests (even David Letterman got turned down), yet Lin is experiencing a sense of ease he’s never before felt.
His devout Christianity, bred at the Chinese Church in Christ in Mountain View, has been his guide since he was young. But Lin admits these last few months were a test unlike any before.
Sucker punched by the cold business of the NBA — playing for his third team in a year — Lin suffered in silence. Before he was the talk of the sports world, before he was crowned star of the Knicks, Lin was ridden with doubt and anxiety. So he doubled down on his commitment to God.
And without that, he believes, there would be no Lin-sanity.
Since gaining significant playing time, Lin has led the Knicks to six straight wins without the team’s previous biggest stars, Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, on the court at the same time. Since the 1976 NBA-ABA merger, no player has scored more points in his first five starts than Jeremy Lin, topping a list of names like Shaq, Jordan and Iverson. The Harvard grad confidently sunk the game-winner for the Knicks in Toronto last night with less than one second left on the clock, proving that Linsanity is more than just stats.
How does Lin get pumped before a game besides an obvious prayer? Christian music of course! In an interview with Fuse TV Lin discussed some of the artists he listens to pre game for inspiration. Given all that we know about Lin’s devout faith, the point guard unsurprisingly rattled off the names of several Christian rappers and rock groups that may be unknown to the average NBA fan:
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mkw22
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:45pmOh my gosh, being a forever Phoenix Suns fan, this kid could actually turn me into a Knicks fan! Of course, second to the Suns. Arizona native, always root for my home teams!
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:35amIt is like what I always ask my kids; who are you to waste a gift that God gave you? It’s awesome, and he makes it look so effortless.
Report Post »Access Denied
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:00amDid anyone else realize that the game was played in Toronto? Did anyone realize that the crowd was bringing down the roof for a Knicks player? That does not happen very often in pro sports. It is nothing less than phenomenal.
Report Post »TemayElbor
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:42amGo for it ….MORE PASSION in proclaiming your FAITH ……and do it in the LIMELIGHT…so the whole world can see.
“And thy children shall go back to their own border…..” so it is written.
“Let your LIGHT so shine before men that they may see your good works and GLORIFY your FATHER who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12).
Report Post »binge_thinker
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:21amGood for this young man! Wonderful to read and hear these inspiring stories and the boldness of these young atheletes to give honor and praise to God.
Report Post »hleeh471
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 10:34pmWhat is happening to our country, what happened to the times when we could really be happy for someone like Lin instead of finding a way to cut him down? Those that are trying to cut him down your going up against something you don’t understand its called God. So lets enjoy his God given talents, watch him win games, help his team on to victory. Those that smear him are just jealous because they don’t have the same gifts Lin has. Again what is happening to our country, why are people tearing it apart, the reason is simple this country was founded on God ordained things like freedom of choice, I will do what ever God requires of me to be sure this country does not go the way of evil. God Bless the United States of America, I offer up a prayer for America that she is saved from the evil ways.
Report Post »kalayaan
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:06amI agree with you wholeheartedly…Lin believes his talents are God-given…what an amazing Harvard graduate he is…what an amazing basketball player he is…God bless Lin and the Knicks…
Report Post »Free2speakRN
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:28pmFree at last. Free at last.
Progressives, do you understand ‘Anything’ Lin is talking about??
Report Post »Mitchm999
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:19pmI didn’t realize god was such a great 3 point shooter. You mean, if I just believe in her, I can play in the NBA? Sweet.
Report Post »Gravejoke
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:29pmYou do that.
Report Post »adeleeeee
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:37amYou don’t get it, do you? The point is not how good he is but how hard he had fought through 4 all years he works hard 4.
Report Post »God doesn’t help you play or win. HE gives Lin TALENT so he can play. HARD WORK is a must.
You just don’t get it.
kalayaan
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 1:07amWhy don’t you try?…
Report Post »Ohio4Tea
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:49pmyeah for the Tim Tebow of the NBA!
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:31pmLiberals always need something or someone to hate. Let’s see how far they go with young man.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:20pmI just saw a news clip on this young man. He’s a gem!!!
Report Post »conservredneck
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:06pmNo Free Beer…..because its refreshing being able to communicate with like minds
Report Post »martinez012577
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:55pmThis guy might be the only reason I would even bother watching a NBA game.
Report Post »TennesseeConservative
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:42pmAll things are possible for those who have Faith i.e. Believing what GOD has said.Living proof that is true. Watch out young Mr. Lin, they will try and steal your faith. Live the truth. You and Tim Tebow, are an model of those who believe.
Report Post »No Free Beer
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:34pmNot that I am hating on religion at all…
But why does everything have to be about faith with this site and Glenn Beck?
It gets very old….
lynda1276
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:45pmwhy not?
Report Post »lynda1276
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 7:47pm“it gets very old..” so sad for you
Report Post »No Free Beer
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 8:22pmSad for me? I am just making the point that, according to The Blaze, everything that happens in this world has religious leanings. It just gets old..
Here comes the Tim Tebow link…
Report Post »srey777
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 6:32amNo Free Beer,
Report Post »It is because there are many of us here that believe that the root of these values we hold so true to comes, not by the invention of man, but comes from the Divine. We have come to believe that as individuals and communities, our triumph or our failure is determined by either our spiritual richness or our spiritual bankruptcy. As many here, we’ve come to recognize that in our natural state, we are bankrupt. It is through faith in the gift of God, Jesus Christ, who bore our bankruptcy, being crucified on a cross, that we are able to partake of the divine and see any real, lasting value come from our lives. Bottom line – this is why we celebrate stories that declare this great truth. Hope this gives you a little more insight as to why you will see stories such as these on sites since as this.
natstew
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 9:54amNO FREE BEER, Don’t like what we post on this site? Go somewhere else! You ******* moron.
Report Post »TexXVonGfeld
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 6:05pmHow refreshing to see some player who is not covered in tattoos and spewing filth. This guy is a real role model and I am glad that an Asian American player is doing so well. Maybe these guys can clean up the game. Go JL!
Report Post »ESmith7
Posted on February 16, 2012 at 12:28amClean up the game? The commissioner, David Stern, has these guys on such a short lease. They talk just a little or act disrespectful to a ref in the slightest way they get a technical and fined thousands of dollars. Go back to the 80′s, Larry Bird with his trash talking makes this guys today look like choir boys.
Report Post »bankerpapaw
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 5:57pmOh no!! Now the atheists will want to have him kicked out of school. Mr. Lin, I am proud of you for
Report Post »standing strong for our God. Keep it going!!
blackstone22
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 5:26pminspirational !
Report Post »rgalunas
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 4:13pmAmen I get goose bumbs watching this man! lol I want to be apart of his Bible study.
Report Post »jakartaman
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 4:07pmYou go kid – keep the faith and stay humble!
Report Post »Lando
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:59pmI love it, class act
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:58pmFantastic! Interesting how big-time sports are seeing Christians in the spotlight for their faith and their beyond amazing abilities. Very cool!
Report Post »hi
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:56pmI love that my boys have another Christian role modell!!
Report Post »hi
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:57pmIt is especially great he doesn’t grant interviews unless he can talk about his faith!!! The NY Times article last week, in so many words, said that Lin isn’t a jerk about his faith like Tebow! Haha! Guess they won’t be getting an interview with Lin!!
Report Post »TriforcePlayer2
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 3:54pmExcellence!
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