A young woman shows her love for Jeremy Lin: Will the NBA's

new superstar serve to bring Chinese and Taiwanese together?

China Daily, People's Republic of China

For Chinese in U.S., Jeremy Lin Ignites 'New American Dream'

It seems everyone appreciates the meteoric emergence of Jeremy Lin as an NBA superstar. But as far as Beijing's news masters are concerned, Lin is almost a miracle worker. In this editorial from the state-run China Daily, the young Taiwanese American is praised for, among other things, improving China's image, helping to change 'stereotypes and prejudice regarding Chinese-Americans,' giving Chinese fans a new champion after Yao Ming retired last year, and 'serving as an incentive' for Chinese sports officials.

EDITORIAL

February 17, 2012

People's Republic of China - China Daily - Original Article (English)

In less than a week, Jeremy Lin, a Harvard-educated Chinese-American, has emerged from nowhere and has become the latest an international phenomenon for the NBA.

On the evening of February 14, Lin's last-gasp winning 3-pointer secured the New York Knicks their sixth victory in a row. And in the game the following evening against the Sacramento Kings, Lin continued to show brilliance with 13 assists - a career high.

Off the court, Lin's market value has soared to about $14 million, on par with NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. Since his first game, the stock price of the company that owns the Knicks has rose by 10.23 percent.

Lin's breakout in the United States was greeted with cries of "Linderella" and "Linsanity," and his global popularity has soared.

Furthermore, Lin's success could help change stereotypes and prejudice regarding Chinese-Americans, who are usually thought of as doctors, lawyers, financial analysts or musicians rather than athletes.  

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

Lin's sensational rise to NBA stardom reminds us of Yao Ming, who retired in 2011. But thanks to Yao's height and the grueling training he experienced in China's state-sponsored sports system meant he was marked out to play basketball. Lin, on the other hand, at 6.2 feet tall, the Harvard economics grad has demonstrated that athletes of Chinese descent can succeed without such help.

Jeremy Lin: With a base of over a billion fans,

his career is off to a flying start.

For Chinese-Americans, Lin's stunning success has ignited a new American dream, and he can serve as an incentive for Chinese sports officials to renovate the nation's sports system more rapidly.

And the hard work, discipline and creativity Lin displays on the court will help boost China's image. And he will help reignite the passion for the sport among Chinese fans that faded after Yao Ming's retirement.

We hope Lin continue to produce on-court excitement and wish him well in his chosen career.