Why the LinSanity Approach of Playing Basketball is Better Than the Kobe System

In my recent essay about Jeremy Lin, I’ve mentioned that his approach of playing the game of basketball is the best way, therefore even better than Kobe Bryant’s.  Let me be clear that I am not saying that Lin is the better player.  Of course not.  Kobe is.  Just the approach or philosophy in playing basketball… Lin’s is better than Kobe’s.  The reason was already given and can be derived and understood from the past post already, but I think it’s better if I elaborate. 

I’m a big Kobe Bryant fan.  He’s my favorite player ever.  More than that, I look up to him because of his mentality and attitude.  The brilliant and rich set of skills, extensive knowledge and understanding of the game, accomplishments, and success that Kobe has now can be traced to this mentality and attitude, which –as I mentioned many times before – is Batman-like.      

The similarity between Kobe and Batman is the approach in which they totally give their all.  They obsessively drive themselves to improve as much as they can (thus, the skills) and pour out all that they can out of themselves during execution and performance.  My favorite Kobe quote sums it up:

“I’ve always been comfortable as a kid growing up to think that when my career is over, I want them to think of me as an overachiever despite the talent that I have.  To think of me as a person that’s overachieved, that would mean a lot to me.  That means I put a lot of work in and squeezed every ounce of juice out of this orange that I could.  Hopefully, they perceive me as person who did whatever he had to do to win above all else.  Above anything.  Above stats. If they say that about me I’ll be happy.”    

Kobe also once said that he’s “chasing perfection.”

That is what’s admirable about Kobe (and Batman), he wants to give it all his got for perfection.  He wants to “squeeze every ounce of juice out” from what talent he has, regardless of its amount. Therefore you can expect Kobe to give all his got in the hardcourt – and it shows.  Combine this mentality and attitude to his game, ruthlessness, and focus (which could still be somehow by-products of his mentality and attitude) and Kobe excels.  He wins. 

Kobe’s attitude and mentality is definitely admirable.  Way beyond admirable.  You can’t ask for more from his work ethic and work philosophy.  However, his approach on playing the game is still imperfect – still incomplete – because his end purpose is flawed.  Kobe is giving all he’s got for the sake of winning.  And it all ends with winning.  Winning becomes the fuel, focus, motivation, and the main purpose why Kobe gives his all.  Winning for personal satisfaction and glory. 

Like Kobe, Jeremy Lin also gives it all his got and strives for perfection and winning.  However, Lin sees the bigger picture than Kobe.    

Jeremy Lin is a Christian.  And his Christian faith is what dictates his approach on playing the game.  The Westminster Shorter Catechism states that the chief end of man is to glorify God.  This is something basic that a Christian believes.   His life is not his, but God’s and it should be used for God’s glory.  Thus, all his actions should ultimately give glory to God (“Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31). Aside from that, a Christian believes that doing one’s best in what he does is not optional, but a command from God (“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might.” Ecclesiastes 9:10).  So if we connect these two truths, it means any Christian’s action or work deserves the best out of a Christian because  the action or work is meant as worship to God.   

      

These truths are very real to a Christian like Lin.  Thus, he put them into application.   

Jeremy Lin loves to win as much as Kobe.  But unlike Kobe, for Lin, it doesn’t all end with the winning – it goes beyond that.  Rather, winning is just part of the means.  As mentioned already, for a Christian like Lin, giving glory to God is the ultimate end.  Therefore, to win is for the glory of God, not for himself.  Lin knows that personal glories are perishable, that the happiness that can be derived from them is temporary.  So, he doesn’t chase for such perishable things, but rather, is aiming for an “upward prize”… a joy and glory that never ceases.  A joy and glory that can be found in God alone.  The Westminster Shorter Catechism also states that the chief end of man, along with giving glory to God, is to enjoy God.  As a matter of fact, enjoying fellowship with God goes hand-in-hand with – synonymous to – living by glorifying God.  For Jeremy Lin, winning is nice but full joy is found in God alone.
         

When the result is a loss and not the desired win after giving it all he’s got, Kobe would still push himself even harder, to seek revenge in a next clash.  This type of avenger-type mentality is very appealing to this world’s view.  But through heavenly eyes, we can see that Lin’s approach is still better. Lin’s philosophy frees himself from unhealthy pressure of getting the win no matter what.  Again, for Kobe, the win is the end, thus it is the most important thing.  For Lin, the win is valuable but it isn’t the end or the most valuable, giving glory to God is.  Thus, if he accomplishes the “giving glory to God” part, win or lose, Lin is victorious!  In Lin’s own words: 

“I had to learn how to give my best effort to God and trust him with the results. I have to learn to have enough faith to trust in his grace and to trust in his sovereign and perfect plan. I had to submit my will, my desires, my dreams — give it all up to God and say, ‘Look, I am going to give my best effort, go on the court and play every day for you, and I'm going to let you take care of the rest.’” 

For Lin, if he wins a game, glory to God, and if he loses a game, still, glory to God.  His part is just to give it is all in worship of God through playing ball.  The result is up to God, and whichever way it goes – a win or lose – the purpose of glorifying God is done already.  Lin may lose a basketball game, but he’ll always be a winner in the eyes of God and will receive the praise of “Well done, good and faithful servant” in the end.

And that’s the best approach, not only on playing basketball, but for all aspects of life as well.        

God's Glory Displayed Through LinSanity

“LinSanity” is the most surprising and, probably, even the best story in the NBA this season.  Game after game, he proves that the hype is real.  Game after game, more and more notice and become believers of LinSanity (in my case, it took me till that game with the Lakers to be convinced this Lin is special).  Sure, 6 games is still a small sample size, but, nonetheless those 6 games weren’t insignificant at all.  Prior to the explosion of Linsanity, the New York Knicks were struggling badly (had a record of 8-15) as their stars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire were sidelined because of injuries.  Now thanks to this 6’3 American-Taiwanese point guard who was nearly at the point of being cut by the team before becoming an overnight sensation, new life is breathed to these Knicks, as they won those 6 games thanks to Lin.

Lin’s meteoric rise is fascinating.  After playing for and graduating from Harvard University, Jeremy Lin entered the 2010 draft but was ignored and left undrafted.  However, the Dallas Mavericks – the eventual champions that incoming season – offered him to participate in their mini-camp and to play for their NBA Summer League team.   Lin got noticed during the Summer League when during a game against the draft’s first pick John Wall, he outplayed and stole the cheers from him.  Afterwards, teams offered to sign him (including my beloved Lakers) and he chose to join the Golden State Warriors – his favorite team to watch while growing up.  Lin would experience getting assigned to the D-League three times during his rookie season, but would be recalled by the Warriors each time. 

During the first day of training camp for the current season, Lin was waived by the Warriors.  The Houston Rockets would pick him up but would waive him before the start of the season.  It was the New York Knicks that would pick him up next.

Lin – being a third-string point guard – would once again be assigned to the D-League by the Knicks.  During that season, the Knicks were actually considering releasing Lin before his contract become guaranteed so they can make room for a new player.  But fate has other plans.  Lin would be given a chance to play by coach Mike D’Antoni.  On a game against New Jersey, teammate Carmelo Anthony (who was and still currently sidelined due to injury) suggested to D’Antoni during the half time to give more minutes to Lin.  Lin had 25 points, five rebounds, and seven assists – all career highs at that point – in that game as the Knicks won the game.  Prior to that game, Lin only played a total of 55 minutes through the Knicks’ first 23 games.  In the next game, which was against the Utah Jazz, Lin had his first career start and would finish with 28 points and eight assists and a win.  Then in the Knicks’ next game, with the Washington Wizards, Lin had his first double-double of 23 points and 10 assists. 

Leading the Knicks to a 3 game winning streak, Lin would face his greatest challenge against my favorite Kobe and the Lakers.  And in that game, it made me believe that the hype is real (and made me annoyed that the Lakers weren’t aggressive enough to recruit him when they had the chance).  Kobe, who is known to perform some of his best stuff in the big stage of Madison Square Garden (remember the 61 points a few season back?), was set on dismissing the rising legend of Lin as a mere myth.  Kobe intended to make Lin bow down to basketball royalty.  But Lin was never intimidated, he never backed down.  He rose to the challenge on clashing with a basketball god.  

And he was victorious.  Jeremy Lin outplayed Kobe (who had 34 points) and demolished the Lakers with 38 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and two steals.  Prior the game, Kobe was a bemused unbeliever.  During the game, Kobe would finally acknowledge Lin as a worthy challenge when he started guarding him.  

Afterwards, stubborn as Kobe may be, he does give props when it is due, and acknowledged that Lin is no fluke.  “Players don’t come out of nowhere,” Kobe said.  The Black Mamba would go on complimenting him and showing his brand of respect by recognizing Lin as someone worth seeking revenge on.  “Enjoy it.  They’ll receive judgment next year,” he said, obviously looking forward for the next duel.    

Lin’s legend continues after it.  He had 20 points and 8 assists over the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he made a game-winning free throw that lifted the Knicks.  Lin would be named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.  And a game after earning that honor, he had 27 points and 11 assists and made the gamewinning threepointer against the Toronto Raptors.  LinSanity fever gets hotter and hotter.   

Being an underdog and a nobody who became successful through hard work, he is a hero, model and inspiration for everybody (especially to Asians).  As Kobe Bryant pointed out, “A great story.  It’s a testament to perseverance and hard work. A good example for kids everywhere.”                        

But more than that, there is one thing about Jeremy Lin that makes him really special (and once I learned of it, it made me to finally root for him).  He is a Christian.

Thanks to a video of his testimony that is getting viral around Christian circles, we learn of Lin’s motivation and attitude towards the game.  The highlight of that testimony is when he quoted John Piper’s book “Don’t Waste Your Life”:

“God created us to live with a single passion to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.” 

Lin would elaborate:

“When Paul wrote in Philippians to press on for an upward prize, he was living for that, and it made his life meaningful (Philippians 3:15). And I realized I had to learn to do the same. I had to learn to stop chasing the perishable prizes of this earth, I had to stop chasing personal glory, I had to learn how to give my best effort to God and trust him with the results. I have to learn to have enough faith to trust in his grace and to trust in his sovereign and perfect plan. I had to submit my will, my desires, my dreams — give it all up to God and say, ‘Look, I am going to give my best effort, go on the court and play every day for you, and I'm going to let you take care of the rest.’ This is something I struggle with every day.  Playing for great stats is nice, but that satisfaction — that happiness — is only from game to game. It's temporary.”                

For me, the perfect NBA player would be something of a combination of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Jeremy Lin.  LeBron has the raw talent, athleticism, and physique that allowed him to overwhelm opponents by those alone.  Kobe has the obsessive competitive fire, mental and physical toughness, and the rich skill-set.  Lin has the strongest motivation to give his all in everything (better than Kobe’s competitive fire) since he is doing those things for God.  Mix them all together and that would be lethal.  Still, these three types of players standing alone, Jeremy Lin would be still my pick, not necessarily as the best player, but as the player that knows the best way of playing the game.  Jeremy Lin isn’t pouring out this much effort in his game because he wants personal glory.  No, he is pouring out his best because he wants to glorify God.  “Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God” is a cliché in a Christian.  And Lin is living it out.  He is seeking his joy in God – a joy that is eternal and complete.

Now, God is blessing Lin for putting Him first in his life.

A Christian, because his life is dedicated to God, then even his life activities are dedicated to God – there are no longer activities that are trivial or without eternal significance.  Again, as what Piper has worded perfectly, “God created us to live with a single passion to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.”  Yes, even in the hardcourt, God’s excellence should be displayed.

If indeed God will be glorified most through this, then surely, Lin’s legend would continue to rise.  I pray that Lin would continue to play basketball for God’s glory and that he wouldn’t lose his focus on why or for Whom he’s playing.  I pray he will be able to fight off the temptations that go with such lifestyle of being on top.   I pray he’ll be a greater role model and testimony than David Robinson (who was a prominent Christian NBA player) and enjoy greater honors than what David had in his career.  I pray he’ll even be a bigger star than LeBron or my favorite Kobe.  All for the glory of God.                     

(Also, I pray he'll become a Laker next season... please, Lord? ^__^)

Some Thoughts on the Upcoming "Avengers vs. X-Men"

This coming April, Marvel will release their biggest crossover storyline this year with “Avengers vs. X-Men” or AvX.  The premise is very promising, plenty of potential epic moments with Marvel’s two top superhero teams pitted against each other. 

Of course, an awesome premise doesn’t assure us that it will meet our high expectations in its delivery.  The Civil War event years ago is an example.  It had an awesome premise and the elements of a brilliant and classic story.  It had its dramatic moments, but it failed to meet the high expectations brought by the premise’s awesome potential.   Civil War ended too soon; it was too short.  The conclusion wasn’t satisfactory.  It failed to divide the fans to two sides as it did the characters (Seriously, was there anybody who rooted for the Pro-Registration side?).  It made Iron Man a hated character (only thanks to Robert Downey, Jr. for bringing back the love to the character).  And, worst of all, it had terrible aftermaths: the assassination (and eventual “resurrection”) of Captain America, Spider-Man making a deal with the devil (ugh, how “One More Day” makes my blood boil), etc.  Good thing for Marvel, they made up for all the bad taste left by Civil War to everybody’s mouths by having the epic “Secret Invasion” a few years later.

In the case of AvX, I have a gut feeling that, this time around, it would meet what is expected of it.  There is no perfect time to have such war between these two legendary teams than now.  We see the 2000’s brought a lot of significant changes to the teams.  Both now has deep, diverse, and exciting rosters than ever before.  The Avengers now have heroes like Spider-Man, Daredevil, Dr. Strange, The Thing (of Fantastic Four), and Luke Cage –who were before were merely allies or reserve members of the team – as regulars.  New Marvel characters (2000’s created) like Red Hulk and Venom (Flash Thompson as host) are members.    

The 2012 X-Men also enjoys a dramatic augmentation with former opponents like Magneto and Juggernaut joining them, as well as the newly retconned “first mutant” Namor and the popular Deadpool.  They also have plenty of new interesting characters like Fantomex (a human mutant/sentinel hybrid) in their roster.  Most of the mutants from the X books we had enjoyed in the past are members.

Indeed, it’s going to be an epic clash.

What confuses me is the status of Wolverine, Beast, and Storm, who are members of both the X-Men and Avengers.  Which side will they stand?  According to what the promo art and covers suggests, they will side with the Avengers.  Still, let’s not forget that the X-Men now are divided into two camps (after the X-Men: Regenesis storyline), between those loyal to Cyclops and those loyal to Wolverine.  If Wolverine sides with the Avengers, will those X-Men loyal to him side with Wolverine and the Avengers, too?  But basing again with the promo art, there are X-Men in the Wolverine team fighting Avengers!  Really confusing how will this turn out.  Just have to wait and see.

One thing that’s bothering me is that Cyclops seems to be getting a little bit darker due to the past harsh experiences undergone by mutants and the X-Men (I.e. the depowerment of most mutants after M-Day).  Magneto warned that Cyclops is already sounding more like him.  Will this event ultimately lead Cyclops to the extreme side?  Will the moral Cyclops we know cease to be?  Will he be another Civil War Iron Man?  Let’s wait and see.             

Lastly, Captain Marvel is set to return during the event!  What is the purpose of this return?  How will this affect the conflict?  Will he be the key in stopping the war between the Avengers and the X-Men?  Again, let’s wait and see.

Oh boy, can’t wait.