NBA NEWS - JEREMY LIN REFLECTS ON HIS NBA CAREER & HORNETS in PLAYOFFS

The Charlotte Hornets Jeremy Lin arguably is the 2nd most successful Asian player to compete in the NBA- NBA photo

Other than Yao Ming, Jeremy Lin arguably is the 2nd most successful Asian player to compete in the NBA. The Charlotte Hornets is his 5th NBA team during his six year NBA career. With career averages of 11.7 points per game, 3 assists and 3.2 rebounds while playing only 26.8 minutes per game Lin reflected on his career and the Hornets playoff chances during a global media NBA conference call - THIS DAY IN THE NBA

NEW YORK, NY USA

Friday, April 15, 2016

Q: The Hornets have secured a spot to return to the playoffs. If you look at the potential rivalries in the East, how do you see the team playing out in the postseason from what you guys have done during the regular season?

Jeremy Lin: I feel like for us, the thing that has kind of gotten us to this point is just unselfishness, team chemistry, and then I think playing off of our intelligence. I also think we have versatility and we have depth. Obviously, the thing that people say we’re missing, we don’t have like a LeBron James or a Steph Curry or like an elite shot-blocker or whatever, like a DeAndre Jordan or something like that. But we feel like, if we do it all together and if we all chip in, and we’re detailed in what we do and we play the right way, we feel like we have a chance to make some noise. And at the end of the day, I think that’s what’s gotten us to this point, is when we have five guys on the floor, we’re all playing together and we’re playing the right way.

Q: As a Harvard graduate, Silicon Valley could be a good place to start another career off the court. How do you relate yourself to the technology industry?

Lin: Yeah, I mean, I think me being from the Bay Area and growing up in Silicon Valley, definitely there are ties, and I’m a lot more exposed to the tech boom as opposed to if I had grown up somewhere else. I feel like that’s something that I’ve dabbled in and continue to learn more about. I’ve gone to some of the events and learned some stuff and met with different people, just so I can learn more about it. And I think the biggest thing I want to do is just to be able to use technology in a positive way. And so whether it’s ‘ed tech’ or impact investing or finding ways to help education or help children, underprivileged children through certain things, whether it’s an investment or a product or whatever, that’s kind of what I’m looking into right now. Obviously, I care a lot about my foundation, and I feel like when I’m done playing, one of the things I want to do is to make the world a better place. And there’s no better way than to really look into tech, because if you take a look around, society’s becoming extremely digital and it’s growing astronomically globally.

Q: You came from playing in a situation like playing with the Los Angeles Lakers. How different is it playing in a smaller market like Charlotte? And do you enjoy it more playing in a smaller market as compared to playing in bigger places like Houston and L.A.?

Lin: I guess there’s pros and cons. I think obviously playing in a bigger market there might be more off-the-court opportunities or the fan base is going to be a lot more widespread or whatever. But I feel like me being in Charlotte came at a good time. I feel like our team last year in L.A., we were under a lot of public scrutiny, and I feel like being in Charlotte, I’ve been able to really enjoy the smaller market, and the people here are so nice and I’m able to walk up and down the street and kind of do whatever I want at any time, and that’s been comfortable. And so I’ve been really embraced by the Charlotte community, and I’ve really enjoyed this season.

Q: Everybody talks about your haircut. Do you have any special haircut for the playoffs?

Lin: Yes, I think for my hair, the sides, I haven’t cut since All-Star break. I haven’t cut the top for, like, almost a year, but the sides I haven’t cut for quite a while, a couple of months. So I’m going to definitely cut the sides and I don’t know if it’s necessarily new, I mean, I’ve done it once before, but I’m going to go back to it, and I’m going to hope it looks a little better now that my hair is longer.

Q: People are wondering, how is Michael Jordan as an owner, and how is he to play for?

Lin: You know, I think it’s true for most owners, they aren’t always around that often. They have a lot of other things they’re doing. And I will say, out of all the teams I’ve been on, Michael Jordan has been the most present owner of them all. Actually, [Golden State owner] Joe Lacob was up there, too. The positive is he’s a player himself, so he totally understands how players feel, their bodies. He understands how to talk to players, how to motivate players. That’s just something that is so unique from an owner’s standpoint because a lot of times the owners, they might see things from a different lens, not having gone through or played in the NBA themselves. And to have the greatest player of all time be your owner – I mean, there’s been times where I’ve just gone to him and asked him for help or advice, just because I mean, why not? He’s like the best person in the world to ask for basketball advice. So it’s been a lot of fun.

Q: I read on websites that many fans and some analysts think you can be the competitor of the Sixth Man of the Year Award. How do you think about this?

Lin: I think just whatever happens, happens. I’m not really that worried about it. And I think a couple of people have mentioned it to me. But you know, personally, if you ask me, do I think I’m going to win it? I don’t, but it really doesn’t bother me that much. I’m not really worried about that award at all. I think for us just to be able to be back in the playoffs after having missed it last year, that’s honestly what I’m really, really excited about.

Q: You’ve been a starter in a big market like New York, and now you’re going to be back in the playoffs after two years. What has the ride been like for you, and have you been able to enjoy it?

Lin: Yes, I think for me, I’m just in a different place mentally, where I’m really able to enjoy everything. And I’ve been able to enjoy this season more than ever before, and I feel like a big reason why is just because I feel like God has taught me a lot, seriously, where it’s just – I’m not as obsessed with, ‘I have to accomplish this, this, or this,’ versus I’m more really just trying to enjoy every day and have the right mindset and live and play with joy. And so I think, having said that, it is in a lot of ways comparing apples to oranges, because I’m just a different person mentally right now than I was three or maybe four years ago when I was in New York. Does that mean I don’t want to start or whatever? Every player wants to start. Every player wants to start and be the man and all that. There’s no question that’s me included. But I think there’s something special going on in Charlotte, and so for me to sacrifice, come off the bench and try to help this team win, I feel like it’s been rewarding.

Q: As a sneaker-focused media, we noticed that as the season proceeds, you took off the latest adidas Crazylight Boost and put a Crazyquick 2 Low from the past season again. Can you tell us about the choice of selecting sneakers and how do you like your relationship with adidas?

Lin: I love my relationship with adidas. That’s been such a great endorsement for me, and I can’t even begin to express just how grateful I am for them. And yes, I’ve been sticking with the shoes I’ve been wearing for – let me see now, a few weeks. No, maybe longer, maybe a couple of months now. I just like them a lot. I like the way they feel, and we’ve been going on a run, and so I’m just rolling with those shoes. I enjoy so many different kinds. The thing is, adidas has allowed me to really create and customize a lot of these shoes, and so whether it’s the Crazylight Boost or the Crazyquick 2, 2.5, or whatever it is, all different brands. I’ve been able to create and customize a lot of Charlotte Hornet colorways, and that’s been a lot of fun. I really enjoy the shoe design process.

Q: It’s possible that you go up against the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs. From one sixth-man guard to another, what do you think about Dennis Schroder and the Hawks in general?

Lin: Oh, he’s a big-time player. I have a ton of respect for him, and what he’s done has been tremendous. And he’s one of those young, up-and-coming guys who, if he ever gets an opportunity to have a bigger role, you can bank on the fact that he’s going to take advantage of it because he’s so talented. And so if we do play him, I’m going to have my hands more than full trying to slow him down.

Q: At this time, it seems everybody’s talking about Kobe Bryant’s last game. So as a former teammate of his and a fan of the game, born in L.A., I just want to ask how would you comment on his influence on the younger generation of players, as well as the legacy to the game?

Lin: Well, I feel like for me, growing up, you saw [Michael] Jordan revolutionize the game. And every kid from my generation’s favorite player was Jordan. And I think, if you fast-forward a few years, that’s probably the equivalent of what Kobe was to a lot of kids growing up who might be just a little bit younger than me, and even kids my age as well. You see a lot of guys in the league right now, the way they talk about him, it’s like, ‘Man, I watched you growing up, you were such a great player and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,’ and like you can tell just the amount of respect everybody has for him. And I think for me, being able to play with him is something I’ll never forget. I think watching and observing the way that he approaches things, how mechanical and detailed he was about his whole regimen. it was awesome to see. I got to ask him a lot of questions, so that’s something that I’ll always remember. When I think about his season this year, I’m just happy he’s healthy, and I’m happy he’s been able to play, and I’m happy that he’s made it to the last game. I just hope he has a tremendous and awesome last game. And that’s very well-deserved for someone who’s had a career like him.

THIS DAY IN THE NBA

April 15, 1965 John Havlicek’s steal might be the most famous play in NBA history. It came with five seconds left and the Boston Celtics clinging to a precarious 110-109 lead over the 76ers in Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals. As Philadelphia’s Hal Greer got set to inbound the ball from the baseline under his own basket, Havlicek peeked over his shoulder. Anticipating a lob pass, Havlicek tipped the ball to teammate Sam Jones, who dribbled out the clock as the fans at Boston Garden—and Celtics broadcaster Johnny Most—went into a frenzy. “Havlicek stole the ball! It’s all over! It’s all over!” bellowed Most as the Celtics won en route to their seventh of eight consecutive NBA titles.

April 15, 1980 A Playoff record crowd of 40,172 turned out at the Kingdome in Seattle only to see the Sonics lose to Milwaukee 108-97 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The attendance record would last eight years, before being surpassed by Detroit at the Pontiac Silverdome on June 16, 1988, when 41,732 fans turned out to watch the Pistons defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 104-94 in Game 5 of the Finals.

April 15, 1984 John Lucas of San Antonio handed out 14 assists in the second quarter, an NBA record for one period, as the Spurs defeated Denver 157-154. Lucas finished with 24 assists for the game.

April 15, 1989 Phoenix retired the #44 jersey of Paul Westphal, who averaged 20.6 ppg in six seasons with the Suns. He was named the team’s head coach for the 1992-93 season, leading them into the NBA Finals against Chicago.

April 15, 1991 By dropping a 112-94 decision to Minnesota at the Target Center, the Sacramento Kings set an NBA record for most consecutive road losses with 35. Losses at Utah and Portland extended the streak to 37 at the conclusion of the 1990-91 season, and the Kings lost six more road games at the start of the 1991-92, season, before the streak ended at 43 games.

April 15, 1991 Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers handed out 19 assists in a 112-106 win over Dallas at the Great Western Forum, allowing him to move into the top spot on the NBA’s all-time assist list--ahead of Oscar Robertson--with 9,898. John Stockton of Utah eventually surpassed both men to become the NBA’s all-time assists leader.

April 15, 1992 Atlanta’s Maurice Cheeks collected four steals in the Hawks’ 95-94 win over New York at the Omni, and those four thefts moved him past Julius Erving as the all-time leader (ABA/NBA combined) in steals with 2,274. John Stockton of the Utah Jazz eventually surpassed Cheeks to become the NBA’s all-time steals leader.

April 15, 1995 Miami’s Glen Rice made 20-of-27 field goal attempts, including seven three-pointers, and finished the game with a franchise-record 56 points, leading the Heat to a 123-117 home win over Orlando.

April 15, 1995 Tom Chambers of Utah scored 15 points in the Jazz’ 105-83 victory over the visiting LA Clippers, becoming the 20th player in NBA history to surpass 20,000 career points. With teammate Karl Malone having reached the 20,000-point plateau against Cleveland on January 20, 1995, Utah became the first team in NBA history to have two players reach 20,000 career points during the same season.

April 15, 2001 Eddie Gill of the New Jersey Nets scored the eight millionth point in NBA history when he converted a layup with 10:37 remaining in a 95-88 loss to Boston at the FleetCenter.

April 15, 2001 Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz played his 1,271st career game, all in a Jazz uniform, to pass John Havlicek and move into second place for the most games played with one team. Malone trailed only teammate John Stockton, who passed Havlicek’s long-standing record earlier in the 2000-01 season.