Jeremy Lin: The Reason for the Linsanity [Paperback]

Timothy Dalrymple (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2012

Harvard graduate Jeremy Lin recently became a New York Knicks phenomenon and he's the NBA's first American-born player of Taiwanese descent. The book will chronicle Lin's high school, college and early career in the NBA with particular emphasis on the media explosion surrounding his success as starting point guard with the Knicks. It will explore how Jeremy's Christian faith, family, education and cultural inheritance have contributed to his success. The book will also include interviews with basketball experts on Jeremy's future in the NBA, Asian-American thought leaders on the role of race in Jeremy's rise to stardom, and renowned Christian athletes and pastors on the potent combination of faith and sports.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Timothy Dalrymple is Director of Content for Patheos.com. He earned his bachelor's degree at Stanford University, a M.Div. at Princeton Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. at Harvard University. A former elite gymnast whose career ended when he broke his neck in warm-ups for a competition, Dr. Dalrymple has written and spoken broadly on faith and sports issues. His interviews with Jeremy Lin over the past two years, followed the basketball phenomenon even before his emergence on the world stage.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Center Street; 1 edition (May 8, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455523941
• ISBN-13: 978-1455523948
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #509,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic insight on the NBA Linsanity and the core of who Jeremy is June 11, 2012

By BayArea GC

Format:Paperback

Amazing read about the story behind Jeremy Lin's unthinkable rise to being one of the star performers of the league. Everyone loves to repeat the fallacy that this came from nowhere, but the reality is that this Linsanity story was put together, piece by piece, through the hard work and possible supernatural confluence of events that led to that fateful seven-game stretch of wins and record-breaking statistics.

The story is deftly crafted and broken down by the seven games of that initial win streak that Jeremy and the New York Knicks experienced in February. For the NBA fans who were following the Knicks, they were in the midst of a losing streak and were on the verge of becoming irrelevant for the remainder of the season, despite starting the season as possible contenders with the new core of Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, and newly signed free agent center, Tyson Chandler.

In the midst of that struggle, on the fateful day of February 4, 2012, Coach Mike D'Antoni was forced to go to the end of his bench to find some spark for his team after 9 dismal minutes in the first quarter where the team only scored 16 points. Enter stage right: Jeremy Lin, an unknown commodity to the world, save for those few fans who followed his career from Harvard and his first season with the Golden State Warriors....

The book has seven core chapters, broken down by the games in the initial winning streak

Chapter 1: New Jersey Nets - The Parable of Perseverance
Chapter 2: Utah Jazz - "Mysterious and Miraculous Ways"
Chapter 3: Washington Wizards - General Lin
Chapter 4: Los Angeles Lakers - The Makings of a Folk Hero
Chapter 5: Minnesota Timberwolves - Mission Accomplished
Chapter 6: Toronto Raptors - Having Faith When the Ball Is In The Air
Chapter 7: Sacramento Kings - One More Day

My deep appreciation for this book stems from Dalrymple's ability to speak knowledgeably about the various factors in Jeremy's upbringing: Asian-American roots, Bay Area upbringing, being a competitive athlete with Christian faith, Ivy League education, the subtle racism against Asian-American athletes, and being able to wrap up all those threads to weave together the fabric that makes Jeremy who he is, and why he was able to persevere through hardships and disappointments to catapult him to thrive on the biggest stage of the NBA, Madison Square Garden.

The story highlights a couple of principles that have been a bedrock for Jeremy. First, Jeremy learned that hard work and focusing on developing your weaknesses was key to being a successful pro. Second, Jeremy had to unlearn living to please others (like the millions of Asians rooting for him), but had to play in such a way that he was only playing to please God, not man. All of these stories helped me understand why Jeremy played so well in a venue (Madison Square Garden) where many "great" NBA players have struggled or could drill a game-winning three pointer in on the road (Raptors, Game 6 of Linsanity). If the crowd and hype and hoopla aren't a factor in how you well you play, you can understand how Jeremy could break the 8-game scoring record by a starter previously held by Shaquille O'Neal.

The story of Jeremy Lin is still ongoing and hopefully won't end anytime soon, but this is a great book to see how it all got started...from the very beginning. You won't regret reading more about Jeremy Lin and you'll come away from the book wanting to be a better person. Jeremy Lin's life is inspirational, even at the young age of 24, and even Bill Simmons, The Sports Guy, labeled him the "real-life version of The Natural." Read more ›

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read! May 3, 2012

By Galen C. Dalrymple

Format:Paperback

What make it so that Jeremy Lin could do what he did? He's far more than a "flash in the pan"...there's a great story behind the young man and this book tells that story. While part of the book focuses on the 7-game winning streak that Jeremy led for the New York Knicks, the majority of the book is the "hidden story" that you probably have never heard. I learned many things reading this book and have a much greater admiration now for Jeremy Lin the person than just Jeremy Lin the athlete.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book about the story and background of Jeremy Lin! May 5, 2012

By Eric Shieh

Format:Paperback

Excellent book about the history of Jeremy Lin and the struggles/trials that he went through to form him to be the person he is today. Before reading this book, I had read many articles about Jeremy Lin and thought I knew most of the stories, but I learned a lot more about him from this book. Timothy does a great job engaging the reader, weaving the events of Jeremy's life with the recent events. Well narrated, very informative and exciting read (I finished the book within two days). I highly recommend that you get this book either for yourself or someone else as a gift, or both!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Read! May 5, 2012

By jyin

Format:Paperback

Both sports-enthusiasts and non-sports fans will enjoy reading this incredible story of Jeremy Lin. What's great about this book is that it highlights not just Lin's athletic accomplishments, but the community and circumstances that helped mold and form Jeremy into the admirable man he is today. Author Timothy Dalrymple includes insightful background information about Jeremy's family and Christian faith and interweaves these stories with fast-paced sports commentary from Jeremy's magical seven game winning streak.
This is truly a must-read for anyone who loves a good underdog story! It is a fast read--perfect for the summer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Of Perseverance, Humilty, and Faith. May 22, 2012

By Dr Conrade Yap

Format:Paperback

What's the reason for Jeremy Lin's rise from mediocrity to linsanity? This is the underlying question that laces the entire book. The overnight hero and unlikely star has not only become a basketball sensation, he has galvanized hope for many in a society that is currently economically depressed and spiritually hungry for hope. Jeremy Lin provides glimpses of hope that tell us that any ordinary person who works hard will always have a chance at stardom. Jeremy comes from an Asian culture staunch in educational pursuit and a work-hard attitude. Like any typical Asian American family, his parents put a huge emphasis on academic excellence, and sports often become a distant second or third priority. At the same time, it is hard for any Asian to break into the domain of the world of sports, usually dominated by non-Asian Americans. Despite these barriers, the way Jeremy rescues his team from the brink of defeat, to become a genuine force to contend with in the tough NBA league has made him a household name not just in sports-mad America, but in many Asian communities worldwide.

The author interviews Jeremy, and writes a captivating summary of the events that made Jeremy a star. Using the seven game winning streak by the New York Knicks to coincide with the significance of the number 7 in Hebrew culture, Dalrymple details the background and the ups and downs of the emotions from Game 1 to 7. Like a skilled storyteller, the author weaves in Jeremy's background stories in the midst of an exciting coverage of how Jeremy manages to outshoot, outwit, and outplay some of his toughest and most formidable basketball opponents. In Game 1 against the New Jersey Nets, Dalrymple highlights the role of perseverance in Jeremy's upbringing and character.... In Game 2 against the Utah Jazz, the author points out a mysterious and miraculous way in which Jeremy was offered a chance to continue his magical play. As Jeremy celebrates his team's victory with lowly and down to earth humility, the media bursts out highly praising his virtues. The next Game 3 happens to be away against the Washington Wizards. By then, Jeremy already has a sizeable following, especially among Asians. Dalrymple compares Jeremy's attitude with that of the famous Chinese General Li, whose passion for excellence took center stage. Not only is his team beginning to climb up the table, he is rising up in fame and popularity. It is Game 4 against the LA Lakers that cement his heroic status. It pits a rising superstar in Jeremy against the world famous Kobe Bryant. In a culture split between ethnic cultural expectations and somewhat tense inter-racial relations, coaches, supporters, even players are forced to look at the damage and the silliness of discrimination. As long as Jeremy is playing, the fans keep on coming. By the time Game 5 is played against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jeremy has become a household name. The underdog has become the hero. Winning five in a row makes Jeremy an automatic first team player. In a world of basketball, Asians are a force to be reckoned with. Game 6 against the Toronto Raptors has one of the most sensational endings. With only 2.2 seconds left to win the game, guess who threw the winning shot? Jeremy's faith in his game stems from his deep faith in God. Even many of the local Toronto fans (with a huge Asian population), scream in delight as they watch the Knicks win the game. Game 7 against the Sacramento Kings shows how Jeremy has played his point guard role to perfection.

My Thoughts
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This book is inspiring and gives readers a background on how and why Jeremy Lin has become such a sensation. Not expected to perform, he outperformed all expectations. An unknown on the morning of February 12th, 2012, he became a superstar in a matter of days. Against all odds, Jeremy defines for many of us what "possibility" means. His faith shows Christian believers one version of what hope and trust in God looks like. Dalrymple makes this observation about something that makes Jeremy different. While stars like Kobe Bryant are expected to win, it is stories like Jeremy Lin's that connect better with the everyday man and woman in the street. Just like the story of David and Goliath. While Goliath is "awe-inspiring," David is "inspiring."

Personally, I am inspired by Jeremy Lin's never-say-die attitude to persevere on in a tough environment marked by competitiveness, brutal expectations, discrimination, and unequal status. At the same time, it is also humbling to see how a star like him can continue to maintain a low profile, choosing to honour others before self. Perseverance in one's faithfulness. Humility toward people. Faith in God. These three are the hallmarks of any star. Jeremy Lin has shown us the way. Let more of us be inspired to live not just for ourselves or for others, but for God.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

This book is provided to me free by Center Street Publishers, part of the Hachette Book Group of companies, without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied. Read more ›