Reflection: what I've learned from Jeremy Lin

Photo credit of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chewbear/7106798943/sizes/m/


    As I finish introducing all of you to Jeremy Lin and some of the accomplishments he has already achieved, I found some other facts about Jeremy that touched me. So as I  close my blog, I want to discuss what I've learned about Jeremy Lin; what I found most challenging to me; and what was most rewarding.

     First, I learned that Jeremy Lin  "...never gave up on his dreams"!!!!!  From the very beginning, he always wanted to be an NBA professional basketball player.  Even after an outstanding high school basketball career in northern California, no one knocked on his door to check him out or even gave him an athletic scholarship.  In fact, few colleges encouraged him to be a walk-on.   Only one assistant coach from Harvard stopped, and saw the potential in this 6’3” skinny Taiwanese-American. After being a star in the Ivy League for four years, not  one NBA team decided to draft him.  It was only after several drafts and playing in some minor professional leagues that someone picked him up.  And then, he was assigned to sit on the bench for years.  However, each time, he didn't give up on his dream but kept practicing and preparing. Therefore, his motto to "Never give up on dreams" not only motivated him to chase his dream, but describes his personality.  It was this motto that led him to achieve success on the courts of the NBA.

     Second, I found that Jeremy “always had faith in God." Jeremy Lin's favorite Bible verses are found in Roman 5: 2-8 "....Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us...."  By reading these verses, you can see how much Jeremy has trusted and was willing to let God lead him to wherever He wants him to be.  For him, God’s will was most important, whether as a financial officer in a large company, a  minister working with youth in Taiwan or a professional basketball player in the NBA.  This is why he could be so focused on his goals.  


     At first, I had a hard time just understanding what “paraphrase” meant as well as how to use it in a blog.  When I started to  “paraphrase" other writers in my blog post. I thought paraphrase was just another word for "summarize."  But actually, there is still a little difference between them. A few blog posts later, I started to get the point of using paraphrase in each of my articles.  I'm glad I got to learn how to use it so I won't be accused of "plagiarizing," and can write about ideas of other writers.

    The second difficulty I experienced was when I had to list out five accomplishments of Jeremy Lin's.   I couldn't think of any more detailed information or what I should say about Jeremy Lin's top five accomplishments. But as I thought further, I came up with some good ideas for his accomplishments.  But now, I believe these were just a few of his accomplishments he has achieved.

   After doing all my blog posts related to Jeremy Lin, I found out that my blogging has really influenced  me.  I was touched by the way he treated others around him; the fact that he always had faith in God; and he never gave up on his dreams. All of these traits have given me the courage, the faith and hope to chase my dreams.  I now want to finish my high school studies here in Zeeland, and get a High School diploma after I graduate.

   Finally, as this is my final post of the blogging process, I have found myself becoming more familiar and organized in putting all of my sources into my own words.  I'm really happy that I have improved my writing skills by working on this blogging unit.  I am more confident to share my thoughts through the Internet as well as in papers with others.

     I appreciate everyone who has read my blog.  I believe you have discovered some new and interesting facts about Jeremy Lin.  In fact, we both have gotten to know him better. I hope as you read through all of my posts, Jeremy Lin has become real and a good influence on you.  I pray that he becomes a  person you will look up to and follow as you chase your dreams.  Remember to “never give up” “follow your dreams” and “walk in His footprints"!  Happy blogging!

Jeremy Lin's top five accomplishments

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       People may have heard about Jeremy Lin, but have they heard or known of any accomplishments that he had achieved? As I come close to the end of my Jeremy Lin-devoted blogging, I think it is important to let the people understand what he has achieved and went through. I hope you will learn something after reading this article. Enjoy!

       Accomplishment #5: Went to Harvard
       He sent his résumé  to all the Ivy League schools, but sadly they don't offer any athletic scholarship. But in July 2005, the Harvard assistant coach Bill Holden saw Jeremy's advantages of being on their school basketball team. Then Jeremy chose Harvard for his final decision even there is a lot of good colleges waiting for him.

Read more on this here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Lin

        Accomplishment #4: Be the first Taiwanese-American player in NBA
        "Lin is the first U.S.- born player of Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA, which is helping to tap into the significant market of Asian-American basketball fans. This in turn is spilling over to NBA devotes in general."(CNN) He amazed all the people by his basketball skills. Since then,Taiwanese people became crazier and crazier chasing after Jeremy Lin of his live game on TV.

Read more on this here: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/14/sport/jeremy-lin-profile/index.html

         Accomplishment #3: joined the Knicks
         In December 2011, Lin signed with New York Knicks after being cut by the Huston Rockets. His 109 points in his first four starts this past February have surpassed Allen Iverson's to become the most by any player since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976. (CNN) 

Read more on this here: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/14/sport/jeremy-lin-profile/index.html

          Accomplishment #2: Scored a new career-high 38 points
          Jeremy Lin led New York Knicks to straight win after his personal scored a new career-high 38 points among the NBA.(Bloomberg) Everyone is amazed by him even his coach. He defeated the score of Kobe Bryant's 34-points, and he led the Knicks to their fourth straight victory.
 
Read more on this here: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-11/jeremy-lin-scores-career-high-38-points-to-lead-knicks-to-4th-straight-win.html

          Accomplishment #1: Still stay humble after "Linsanity" 
          Jeremy Lin's personality still remains the same-"humble" from the beginning even until now after he became famous. "If you one day are lucky enough to have newspapers want to put you on the cover in order to sell more,don't let it get to your head. It's been remarkable watching now Lin remains through all this media frenzy. It makes his teammates and fans love him that much more." (Forbes )

Read more on this here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericjackson/2012/02/11/9-lessons-jeremy-lin-can-teach-us-before-we-go-to-work-monday-morning/

I think it is amazing to find out all the accomplishments he had achieved as I am finishing up the blog based on him, his attitudes towards life, on the basketball court or when he is under the pressure of paparazzi,has always been the same-"humble", this has encourage me everyday to be more of like him!
       

     

Education or NBA draft:which one will you choose as a priority?

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    It was about two years ago when I first saw Jeremy Lin in the newspaper. It was an article that talked about how well he had done in high school and college,and how he could also play on the school's basketball team. At that time,I didn't pay that much attention to him,and especially how he viewed his failure to make it into the NBA. But two years later, he made it into professional basketball and became famous with lots of paparazzi around him. Through it all, I respected that he still had the same personality,and goals.

   About eight months ago, I came across two articles talking about the advantages and disadvantages of the new trend on college campuses--"one-and-done" basketball players. These players were defined as "guys that attend college on a basketball scholarship for one year,and then make a jump to the NBA." The author pointed out that all of the starters on the University of Kentucky's 2012 National Championship basketball team were leaving school to try out for the NBA.

Information credit of: http://www.ebony.com/entertainment-culture/do-nba-players-need-to-spend-more-time-in-school

   Given this, was this going to be the new trend in professional sports? They started by discussing whether this was good or bad for college sports, professional teams, and more important the athletes. This got me thinking and led me to the question: " Whether or not one should finish college before one joins the NBA?" And just as important, " If they leave college to play basketball and want to return,should they be allowed to return and play basketball?"

   According to HELIUM, "...In today's society,sports itself of course is something that's highly valued..."(Helium) But why not value one's education? From their view of point,NBA potentials should be valuing and paying as much attention to their education as what they're going to do on the basketball court for the next few years. He called for potential players to stay in school,graduate,and then try out for the NBA,and/or international teams.

   This author stressed the point that college was to prepare students for a career in whatever area they want to specialize in. But in the case of athletes, their profession is playing sports. If kids can get into the NBA or foreign leagues,why should they continue to play in college for no pay? In some cases, potential players would lose millions of dollars by staying in school. Thus, he was all for allowing and encouraging players to step out and try to play on the professional level. From his view of point,players could always return to finish their college education and pay for it themselves.

   The similarities between these two articles is that both talked about the NBA as being a highly selective league,and both acknowledged that the probability of getting drafted into NBA was extremely low. They both understood that if they play it is only for few years. They were also concerned about the kids that don't make it. In fact, one can easily picture them without a job; without their close friends;and without coaches and teachers supporting them by their side. In any case, it's definitely going to be tough for them.

   Given this, many coaches,critics and professionals called for the right of players to "return back to the college basketball court," especially after they failed their tryout or been released. This would allow young players to have a taste of process and understand where they're at,and what they need to work on in order to move on to the next level. For those who were not selected by the NBA, Continental League or foreign teams,they could still come back to school;work even harder at their game;and prepare for a new job.

   The differences between these two articles is that one said that the kids who declared for NBA but failed should not be allowed to continue playing basketball because it was unfair to the other players and students. For others. they felt the players could return;receive their scholarship,and play basketball. For the first groups, "to learn is not just about what's occurs in the classroom,but also about life. This is true for anybody. The longer you stay in school the more you learn. You get as much out of your education as you put into it."(Ebony)  For these reasons, they felt that those students who wanted to make the NBA should not be allowed to return to college hoops and receive their scholarship or stipend..

   I agree with the authors who said "yes" to education! First,the chance to get a free education is just as important as having a chance to try out for the draft. Why not get an education when it is free,and when one is young? Why not spend the best years of one's life in school,and enjoy it like Jeremy Lin? Second,I am an NBA purist who feels that the four-year college players are much more refined as ambassadors for the team. They have more basketball and social skills.Owners have found out that most high school and one-year college players need to be tutored,and they sit on the bench for a long time before playing well. Third, the cost of a player's development is a team responsibility,and not covered by a college program. Fourth,it makes good sense to let the colleges develop players for it helps the college and their communities to build a strong relationship. It is money in the bank for college, the college community,and the team. Fifth,I think players who couldn't make it,etc. should be allowed to return to college and play basketball. College sports is actually a "big" business! Also,many college players on the Division I level are playing on a professional level,so why not let them return to finish their education. Everyone would benefit-the teams,the college and the community. Finally,I'm very proud of Jeremy Lin because he is such a good role model. He was driven to play NBA basketball,but he also wanted to be a top student and prepare for future goals and jobs. I must admit, I am proud to be Taiwanese.