Taking a potshot at Knick’s best

The sensational NY Knick's point guard, Jeremy Lin

Whether we like it or not there will always be bigots in this world.

Wikipedia defines a bigot as ‘a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs. The predominant usage in modern English refers to persons hostile to those of differing sex, race, ethnicity, religious belief or spirituality, political alignment, nationality, language, sexual orientation, and age; and to those from a different region, with non-normative gender identity, those who are homeless, and those with various medical disorders, particularly behavioral and addictive disorders. Forms of bigotry may have a related ideology or world views.’

I am reprinting the definition en toto so others who may come across this blog will know them when they see them.

I won’t be talking about the bigotry that is strongly exhibited by leaders of nations that is vehemently opposing Iran’s nuclear program, not knowing surely and accurately whether or not its development is for self-help or malevolent intentions.

What I am simply referring to by this term is what happened to New York Knick’s newest basketball sensation, Jeremy Lin, who was the receiving end of a bigot’s write-up and commentary when Lin’s team ended its winning streak at seven games in the NBA.

Lin, 23, of Taiwanese descent, was a second stringer and an unlikely star when he was called to play for the team, but his stellar role of guiding the Knicks to a season-high winning streak until it get snapped on the 8^th game against the New Orleans Hornets, has captivated fans and made him a house-hold name. This euphoric feeling felt by New Yorkers was described by them as “Linsanity” and it is becoming the famous phrase of the times.

Unfortunately, sports network ESPN anchor Max Bretos picked up a network writer’s ‘Chink in the armor’ piece, when he used and blurted it out on the air with a question, asking: “If there is a chink in the armor, where can Lin improve his game?”

Obviously Bretos was referring to Lin’s poor performance in New York’s loss to the Hornets.

Was Bretos trying to be clever? Smart? Or, was he just trying to be a plain, simple, bigot?

We, Asians, are not stupid. We know what derogatory remark is when we hear one.

Again, Wikipedia says that chink is an English slang term referring mainly to a person of Chinese ethnicity but sometimes generalized to refer to any person of East Asian descent. Contemporary usage of the word as an ethnic slur has sparked controversies in the media for many years and many people consider the term an insult.

Since then, Bretos, who admits being married to an Asian woman (what an irony!), has been suspended for 30 days by ESPN and the Knicks, after that loss, is back in the grove having won against the NBA defending champion Dallas Mavericks, thanks to Lin’s exploits once more.

The Harvard educated and gracious Lin said of the incident: “I don’t think it was on purpose. At the same time, they’ve apologized. I don’t care anymore.”

Here is one fellow who deserves a doff of the hat.

Fil-Am coach takes team to NBA Eastern Conference Finals

Erik Spoelstra with Miami Heat's Big 3

It always makes me feel good to see a Filipino or somebody with Filipino ancestry who excels in a contest overseas that for years and years has been dominated by Westerners.

It was no mean feat, therefore, that a virtual unknown like Miami Heat’s head coach Erik Spoelstra spoiled the fun of more experienced and much more known NBA coaches when he made history by becoming the first ever Filipino-American coach to take his team to the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals.

While it may be true that Spoelstra has some of the best shooting NBA players in his team in the persons of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, them alone will not make a team a winner if there wasn’t a mentor who could inspire and motivate, galvanize and energize such that every individual player has to play above par to effect a good team work offensively and defensively.

It was Spoelstra’s in-depth knowledge of the game, his ability to know the strength and weaknesses of the members of his team and his leadership skill that made all the difference in trouncing the highly regarded Boston Celtics in their playoff series.

The appointment of Spoelstra as Miami’s head coach replacing the legendary Pat Riley in 2008 made him the first and youngest Asian American to assume that post. For what he has achieved, he gave Riley the credit for having taught him the essentials of effective coaching.

Spoelstra was born to a Filipino mother who hails from San Pablo, Laguna and an Irish-Dutch father.

Miami Heat will take on the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals starting May 15.