CBA: Jeremy Lin says Chinese players as good as those in NBA
- ‘I just hope one day the world will truly respect Asian basketball players,’ Beijing Ducks star tells Chinese state media
- Lin says he will ‘take his time’ to make decision on future after first season in the Chinese Basketball Association
Jeremy Lin was back in Beijing with the Ducks on Wednesday for the team’s end of season celebrations and an interview with Chinese state media, who he told that playing in the CBA was a dream come true and demanded respect for Asian players.
“Well, first I want to say: about five or six years ago when I was still playing in the US, somehow I already decided that one day I want to play in the CBA,” Lin told CCTV-5 in Mandarin. “Coming here will help me learn more about the Asian culture,” he said.
Lin said that he thinks he has got used to playing in the CBA during his first year in the interview, which was translated for CGTN, CCTV’s English-language service.
“Before I came here I had heard a lot of things. They said this will happen or that. I have played a year here and believe I’ve already encountered what I possibly could. It has been such a special year and I will never forget it.”
Lin also spoke of the difference he experienced between playing in the US and in China.
“You know I am a yellow-skinned guy who grew up in the US. While I was playing basketball there, I could feel the disrespect against yellow-skinned players. I consider playing in the CBA an honour and an important opportunity because I could see so many yellow-skinned Chinese players who are so talented and remarkable on the court. I don’t understand why the world does not respect us.
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“That’s why I kept asking myself: ‘what can I do to help Asian basketball?’ I can name so many outstanding perimeter players, forwards, big men from this league. They are as good as their American counterparts. I just hope one day the world will truly respect Asian basketball players.”
Lin came up against China’s best in the semi-finals against CBA champions Guangdong Southern Tigers.
“When you are playing against such a strong team you can’t afford to make too many mistakes. I think this is a remarkable play-off series. We did not score many points in every game because both teams got great defence. But all three games featured excellent basketball.”
He also singled out Wu Qian of the Zhejiang Golden Bulls when asked who he wanted to play one-on-one.
“I like the way Wu Qian plays,” Lin said of the Zhejiang Golden Bulls star. “He’s got great game. I think it will be great if I can do one-on-one with him.”
As for the rest of the league, Lin had advice for them.
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“I think playing basketball is like doing art. It is like drawing a picture, like painting or playing music. I advise Chinese players to think outside the box. Basketball in the end is just like art, it’s fluid. Sometimes when I face a player in the game, I find the moves very predictable. I already know what he’s going to do. If I take his first option away can he come up with a second one? Or a third?
Lin has proved a popular player since moving to the CBA last August as the fans showed him.
“Fans could always find me if they wanted to,” Lin joked. “The point is Chinese fans love me a lot. They gave me a lot of support. I remember once I went to another city to play a road game. Fans gave me so many gifts that I needed a couple of extra suitcases to bring them back to Beijing.”
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Lin refused to say if he will be back to Beijing next season when pressed on his plans.
“My first goal now is just to relax recover and rest. I need to be mentally ready. I will take my time before making the decision.”
He has been touted for a return to the NBA where he spent nine seasons before leaving for China last summer and even a possible move elsewhere in China.
However, Chinese media have reported that the Ducks can secure his signature for next season by offering a 10 per cent pay rise, as per league rules on foreign players.
