Archive for category sports
ESPN reaches limit of Linsanity; No excuse for racist headline
We were all having so much fun, too. Doesn’t mean it’s time to break out the racism.
I was wondering when someone would use a “Chink in the Armor” reference.
I’m sure many Asian Americans thought about it before ESPN did. But only the most screwed up Asian American self-hater would use it in public to describe the basketball flaws of Jeremy Lin.
It’s not so bad if we were all living in Medieval America and people actually bought their chain maille and armor from Barney’s and Macy’s. Then, hey, sure, it might be OK. When you get a ding in your metal suit, that’s a drag. We all can relate.
But the dark ages are gone. We live in a diverse America, and when you say “Chink,” you are not bringing the love. Nor are you talking about the flaws of Sir Lancelot, real or imagined. Besides, you play basketball in your underwear.
Still, if someone likened Lin’s ball-handling to Lancelot trying a crossover move in full armor, you might make a case for “plausible deniability.”
At least in a metaphorical sense.
But let’s face it.
The ESPN headline was not poetry. We all know what someone means when they say “Chink” in reference to Jeremy Lin.
The media, in this case the headline writers at ESPN, have been so giddy with Linsanity, they must have thought it gave everyone the green light to have some racist fun.
Editors surely would have taken more care before blurting the “N” word. But evidently not the “C” word.
The good fun of Linsanity is intended to make people realize how inclusive the world has become.
It’s not intended to desensitize us all to the racist sentiments of the past.
ESPN has apologized for the slur, but that isn’t enough.
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund is calling for full apologies on ESPN cablecasts. The network needs to set the record straight for all to hear, lest anyone get the idea that Linsanity is a good excuse to turn racist.
Lin-phomania, the basketball fantasy continues; Jimmer, the busted phenom, got next
It’s the next step of Lin-sanity. After you play “out of your mind,” next comes the crazy love that ensues from fans and general observers.
The last second, game-winner last night against Toronto extended the fairy tale. The game tonight against Sacramento should extend it further.
What makes it more ironic is that on the Sacramento King bench is a certain rookie named James Taft Fredette.
You remember Jimmer, the one time basketball phenom.
He burst into our consciousness while heaving up balls from beyond downtown. He was in Utah, at BYU. And because of a hot run in the NCAAs he became a Sports Illustrated cover boy.
When lowly, small market Sacramento drafted him No. 1, Jimmer was cursed and blessed.
Management loved Jimmer and he was their poster boy. But then a coach was fired, a new one came in, and Jimmer looked out of place. He was no longer starting.
The old coach liked his shooting, but the new coach didn’t. Jimmer is inexperienced, slow on D, doesn’t fit in with all the pieces the Kings have.
Next stop for Jimmer? The bench. You’ll see him in sweats more than you will see him sweat tonight. Jimmer is one busted Phenom.
You just don’t hear much about it because he’s in Sacramento not New York. That’s the blessing. Sacramento is a good place to be bad.
Conversely, as Lin is finding out, New York is a great place to play out-of-your-mind-crazy.
I wonder what Jimmer will be thinking tonight as he watches Lin?
Maybe he’ll be hopeful. Jimmer shows signs that made him a media flash during the NCAAs. But maybe if he learns that if he works hard, keeps his chin up, and doesn’t get depressed, he may one day find the spot to open up where he again can be “the man.”
Until then, there’s only one man in the NBA EVERYONE is watching.
And it’s the Asian American wonder, Jeremy Lin.
I’m no “Lin-fidel,” just a realist on Jeremy Lin. Still, he’s just what we need as more people keep blurring the difference between Asian and Asian American
I’ve got good reason to love Jeremy Lin. I’m an Asian American who went to Harvard. I didn’t play basketball, but I did play white guys in black theatre productions. (You take your extra-curriculars where you can). So my love for Lin is real. I’m just realistic. I root for the Golden State Warriors and we had a mild case of Lin-phomania last year.
Lin-sanity is a New York phenomenon. I’m not sure it can be sustained.
I wish Jeremy nothing but the best. No Schadenfreude from me. He’s a Norcal homey. He worked hard and when he had his chance this time around he delivered. But I’m not sure if last week was one of those special weeks you remember forever because you just don’t replicate it that easily. I ran for 187 yards on 7 carries as a Pop Warner half-back. I still talk about that. OK, yeah, Jeremy’s doing it in the NBA. Big diff. I hope he has a long run and can play at the level he’s shown, but I remember last year in Oakland when he couldn’t get off the bench.
Still, we can thank Jeremy for reinforcing the point to all of America–there’s a difference between Asian and Asian Americans.
It’s more than a technicality. It’s a point worth stating over and over.
We forgot the distinction in WWII and opened up internment camps—for Americans.
As China shows its economic might, some in this country are trying to blur distinctions again.
Maybe Jeremy Lin will help remind people during this critical time in world history, there are Asians, and then there are Asian Americans.
For more,check out my post on the Asian American Legal Defense Fund blog:
The Nevada Caucuses aren’t the Super Bowl, Thank God: Who will win the really big game and why
Mitt Romney may have won in Nevada as predicted, but a caucus is not a Super Bowl. It’s not even the AFC wild card game. If you’re a candidate, the best thing you can say after leaving Nevada is, at least Sheldon Adelson still likes me. And if you’re Romney, you’re happy that your Mormon homies thought enough of you to back you. And then you move on to the next state before you say something dumb about poor people.
I’ll refrain today from saying any more, except that Newt Gingrich, who lost in Nevada, was on “Face the Nation” this morning referring to what he called Obama’s attack on Catholics.
What he do? Take away their rosaries?
This is a real B.S. GOP ploy, and I’ll have more on that tomorrow.
But you know it’s B.S.GOP ploy when Bob Schieffer, the FTN moderator doesn’t take the bait. Nor should you.
The GOP sure likes to take up religious wars.
No, the only war that applies this Sunday, even among Catholics (especially those who pray to “Touchdown Jesus”) is on the football field.
Today is Super Bowl Sunday. We are now in the middle-aged Super Bowls, where the Roman numerals require translation. I remember seeing the first one on TV with my buddy Frankie Veracruz over on 18th Street in San Francisco, just down from the Castro. A lot has changed since then.
When your team(s) aren’t in the big game, it just feels like an obligatory thing. Like going to church. So my heart’s not into it, but I’ll genuflect to the NFL just the same.
Here’s my analysis:
I’ve been following the NFL more this year than in the past because I realized I needed a new mid-life addiction: Fantasy Football.
Because of this, I know the Giants well. If Eli Manning can throw to Victor Cruz regularly, it’s a signal that his game is on and the Pats defense is vulnerable. If you see Manning throwing more to Nix and Manningham more, then the game will be much closer.
Cruz is the key to the air attack. When he gets open, Manning marches down the field. As the defense adjusts, then the running game does its thing. On the ground, it’s all about Bradshaw. When he was hurt in the middle of the season, Jacobs filled the void well, so well that Bradshaw had a hard time getting back into it. If Manning establishes the run with both running backs, the Patriots defense will be struggling to keep up.
I like Brady to Welker for the Pats, and my days around Boston, as well as Brady’s local Bay Area ties to his Catholic high school, make me want to root for the Pats.
But I think the Giants will be too much for the Pats’ D.
Besides, actress Rooney Mara is a granddaughter of the Giants’ owner. Have you seen her in “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”?
MY PREDICTIONS
The score goes 7-0, 7-7, heavy eating ensues, 14-7, 14-14, halftime, all toilets flush, Madonna has a career malfunction when at least half the audience wonders why Lady Gaga has tamed her act and is singing all those old songs, 21-14, 21-21, we all eat more bad food, 28-21, 28-28, drink more here, 31-28. … done. NY Giants over the Pats.
The “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” beats “Victoria’s Secret.”
Too bad, 49ers. Coulda shoulda…
-
-
You are currently browsing the archives for the sports category.
Subscribe
