Driving While Asian

by ShrinkRap on Feb 12, 2012 7:14 PM CST

The proverbial road less traveled is on display this week for all the world to see. HBO's intimate documentary, Namath, and the NBA's reality show, Jeremy Lin, spin fascinating narratives of athletes who couldn't be more different . . . or similar.

The larger-than-life arc of the Beaver Falls/Broadway Joe tale is familiar to all and the stuff of pulp fiction: small town boy from a troubled home doesn't make the academic grade, finds salvation in sports, thumbs his nose at convention, battles debilitating injuries and pain, wins the big game, then squanders his talent and meets his demise in a sad, boozy haze.

The spontaneous combustion that is Jeremy Lin, on the other hand, is playing out in real time with an uncertain ending: good-boy son of Taiwanese immigrants grows up Ivy-League-smart in an affluent town, defies racial stereotypes by taking up basketball, plays like a star but can't get no respect, never quits trying, then explodes onto the scene as a take-it-to-the hoop savior of the woebegone New York Knicks. He has single-handedly, and forever more, redefined "driving while Asian."

The world is filled with wannabe iconoclasts who confuse "different" with making a difference. They come and they go, like New Coke and disco, blips on the cultural radar. The true iconoclasts set off cultural earthquakes--and it can't be done unless you got game.

Joe Namath's style, verve, brinksmanship, and ability to deliver the goods when it counted were seismic qualities that brought down many of the NFL's antiquated structures . . . and then catalyzed the league's growth. The magnitude of Jeremy Lin's jolt is smaller, of course, and still being calibrated. But it's shaken a locked door off its hinges.

Sport has a way of alchemizing "can't" into "can" with a white-hot immediacy that cools over time and then morphs into uplifting legacy. Is it magic? Heck, yeah. Common? Well, no. And that's why we come back for more. Right, Joe?

FanPosts are just that; posts created by the fans. They are in no way indicative of the opinions of SBN and the authors of Roll Bama Roll.

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Time will tell on Jeremy Lin...

it always does. BTW, you write like a pro.

“The world is filled with wannabe iconoclasts who confuse “different” with making a difference. They come and they go, like New Coke and disco, blips on the cultural radar. The true iconoclasts set off cultural earthquakes—and it can’t be done unless you got game."

Carry on and keep it comin’.

You can't determine what people say about you, only what they should say.

by fobama on Feb 12, 2012 7:46 PM CST reply actions

Thank you!

I agree with you about Lin, but damn he’s fun to watch.

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 12, 2012 7:57 PM CST up reply actions

By the way...I loved the Namath documentary.

For all the craziness that was Joe Namath is there anybody that does not like the guy? I hope old Joe is around for a long time because if I’m alive when Joe dies I will cry even though I never met him. The only person I ever cried when he died that I did not know was Coach Bryant. Namath will be #2.

If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.

by 5026 on Feb 12, 2012 7:54 PM CST reply actions

I met Joe when I was a preteen in Tuscaloosa...

He was sitting on the front step of his ’Bachelor’s 3’ restaurant welcoming patrons…and he was drunk as a skunk.

"14 is important mainly because now it makes 15 within reach."-5026

by UtahBammer on Feb 13, 2012 7:18 AM CST up reply actions

I loved it too.

Every ’Bama fan should see it.

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 12, 2012 7:57 PM CST reply actions

DVRed it...

….but haven’t gotten to watch it/keep forgetting it’s there. May have to do that tonight.

Roll Bama Roll - The Champagne of Bama Blogs.

by Todd on Feb 13, 2012 8:24 AM CST up reply actions

Todd

If for no other reason, watch it to hear Joe’s hilarious impersonation of Bear Bryant’s indecipherable drawl.

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 13, 2012 9:34 AM CST up reply actions

Another reason . . .

to watch is to see what a great runner Namath was before he blew out his knee. I hadn’t appreciated this until watching the documentary. If only . . .

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 13, 2012 4:19 PM CST up reply actions

No doubt Namath would have been the

Cam or the Tebow or the RGIII of his day with one exception he could throw better than them. He would release the ball with no effort and it came out like a rocket. He would have or should have won the Heistman although he was playing at Bama during civil rights days and that hurt him.

I feel lucky to have seen him play in person. The first time being the 63 Orange Bowl. I’ve seen a lot of football, but Namath, before his injury, was the best athlete I have ever seen on a football field. If he had played baseball he would have won 300 games. If he had grown up a golfer he would have been another Palmer.

If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.

by 5026 on Feb 13, 2012 8:31 PM CST up reply actions

You gave me a flashback

I remember watching the ‘63 Orange Bowl on tv.OK, I admit it’s a hazy memory; I was just a kid. Those were the good old days when New Year’s Day was a football orgy of the big 4 bowl games. You had to choose between the Cotton or Sugar leading off (I always chose the Sugar Bowl, it seemed), then the Rose, followed by the Orange. It still seems out of place to have these games played after Jan 1. Oh well, that’s Capital One/Outback Bowl progress.

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 13, 2012 10:12 PM CST up reply actions

But, in 63 the Orange Bowl was not at night.

I’m not sure what time it kicked off (probably 1pm) but it was in the afternoon. I was there. It probably was up against the Sugar and the Cotton with the Rose coming after.

We played in the Orange at night in Namath’s senior year (Jan. 1, 1965.) It thus either switched Jan 1, 1964 or Jan.1 1965. I’m not sure which year it switched. On Jan. 1, 1964 we played without a suspended Namath in the Sugar with all that snow on the sidelines. I watched that Sugar Bowl on TV but I can not recall watching the Jan. 1, 1964 Orange at all so probably Jan. 1, 1964 was a day game up against Bama and I did not watch it.

By the way, the 1963 Orange Bowl remains the only sporting event I have ever attended at which the President of the United States was also in attendance.

If Auburn was in New Mexico and we never played them I would still hate them and their dumb coach and their cheating players.

by 5026 on Feb 13, 2012 10:42 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for the clarification

Like I said, the memory is hazy, lol.

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 13, 2012 11:29 PM CST up reply actions

Did Namath die?

…then squanders his talent and meets his demise in a sad, boozy haze.

Joe Willie played 13 Seasons in the NFL. Many point to him as the reason the NFL and Super Bowl are what they are today. He was one of the first professional football players to do product endorsements. He has many acting credits, everything from “The Brady Bunch” to “The Simpsons”. He even had his own variety show – though short lived. He may have had a few slip-ups and one live TV embarrassing moment but he has been a great ambassador for the University of Alabama. I think he has had a pretty good life.

I have nothing against Jeremy Lin but he has had a 5-game scoring streak. Get back to me in a year.

Fourteen and counting

by CB969 on Feb 13, 2012 9:42 AM CST reply actions

I agree

What I meant about the demise part is that it’s part of the pulp fiction version of Joe’s life. The back story, and real story, as shown by HBO, is far more interesting.

As for Lin, his career could end today, but he’s shown Asian-Americans that some things are possible that may not otherwise have seemed so. That’s his contribution, in my view.

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 13, 2012 9:49 AM CST up reply actions

Time will tell if Lin will be a flash in the pan who can or cannot hack it during a full season.

Lin has heart, and that’s far more than what Carmelo or Stoudamire will ever have.

Unfortunately, basketball can be and often morphs into a “me” sport. How many examples can you produce off the top of your head in which one player dominates a series, playoff run, etc? Lin has heart and that’s nice to see, but the nature of that sport is the reason why great accomplishments (Wilt scoring 100 points in a single game) fail to impress me much.

On the other hand, when one player not only makes his ten other offensive teammates better players than what they normally would be, but also spreads that mindset to the defensive side — that’s impressive to me.

9th January, 2012: Section 101, Row 1, Seat... I'll let y'all spot that one.

"And a crashin' blow from a huge right hand
Sent a Louisiana fellow to the Promised Land"
-- "Big John" by Jimmy Dean

by TiderUpNorth on Feb 13, 2012 12:05 PM CST reply actions

Brandon Roy

The world was robbed of maybe the greatest all-around NBA player of his generation, just as he was about to hit his prime, by a set of bum knees.

by mattpdx on Feb 13, 2012 1:01 PM CST up reply actions

There is this dude...

…named Bill Russell you should read up on a bit….

"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban

by NiceLittleSaturday on Feb 14, 2012 2:53 PM CST up reply actions

Earvin

On the other hand, when one player not only makes his ten other offensive teammates better players than what they normally would be, but also spreads that mindset to the defensive side — that’s impressive to me.

Magic Johnson comes to mind for me. I had the pleasure of being a grad student at MSU when he was there, then followed his career in the NBA. I lost interest in the league when he and Bird left.

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 13, 2012 12:23 PM CST reply actions

I hate...

…to agree with you on this (old Sixers fan), but you’re right….

"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban

by NiceLittleSaturday on Feb 14, 2012 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

Allow me to return the favor.

LOVED the 66-67 Sixers. Wilt, Chet “The Jet” (from Bradley, as Chick Hearn always reminded us Laker fans), Lucious Jackson, Hal Greer (and his funny little free-throw jump shot), Wali Jones, and the Kangaroo Kid. And, of course, the ever bombastic Alex Hannum.

I can still hear the chant: “Boston is dead! Boston is dead!”

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 14, 2012 10:13 PM CST up reply actions

Incredibly awesome heading title!

So, I thought you were going to be writing about someone who can’t possibly make a tight right-turn if their life depended on it. Someone who makes the Alabama defense look like a high school team when it comes to “defensive driving”. Someone who merges into traffic going negative 4 mph. Someone who needs a map to find their gas pedal and binoculars to see that the red light has turned green. . . . .15 seconds ago!

And then WOW! Great writing, and wonderful word usage and combinations.

But Jeremy Lin and Joe Namath? I’ve seen the HBO documentary- it is the type of television journalism that is a must-have for any collector. However Jeremy Lin’s celebrity is barely two weeks old in a strike-shortened NBA season. I think the fact that he’s playing on a major-city team in the Knicks and the fact that the Knicks AREN’T the Warriors- but play just like ‘em makes this kid a likable story. Right now, Lin is a blip on the screen, he’s not even a preview- compared to a 90-minute legendary masterpiece.

And it could have been more and lasted even longer. Really, who can get enough of ol’ Joe? That guy chases skirts in his sleep and still pulls ’em in! He can still prolly throw a Nerf ball through a Big Gulp cup at 30 yards. In the damn dark! And his smile can melt tundra.

I like Jeremy’s haircut, though. He’s got a decent first step. I heard some people on the Warriors (I’m a Warriors-fan by the way) called him “Eremy” because he ain’t got no “j”!
Just sayin’.

by BixBeiderbecke on Feb 14, 2012 9:04 AM CST reply actions

Thank you, Bix, and . . .

I agree that there’s a big gap between Joe’s career and Jeremy’s week. It’s one of the reasons I said these guys couldn’t be more different. But Lin’s impact on the Asian-American community is the real deal, and that’s why I think they’re similar (not identical) in impacting a culture. I live in a state with a huge Asian-American population and you could feel the tectonic plates shift over here last week.

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 14, 2012 10:54 AM CST up reply actions

I live in a state with a huge Asian-American population and you could feel the tectonic plates shift over here last week.

Sounds like just an average day in California! :)

God bless our Dark Lord.

by CarrotTop4 on Feb 14, 2012 11:12 AM CST up reply actions

True that.

But not so average down here in Hawaii, the really deep south. :)

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 14, 2012 11:52 AM CST up reply actions

I hear you ShrinkRap!

I can just imagine the positive vibrations that are being felt by that particular community these days. And even more amazing is that Jeremy is a homegrown product, not some (fill in the Asian country here)-state national team prodigy coming stateside to take over the NBA (see: Yao). I understand that Tony Parker had a similar impact on the streets of Paris a decade ago.

I was in the Bay Area when Sarunas Marciulionis came to play for Golden State Warriors, trouble was: there weren’t that many Lithuanians living stateside for the quake to register- so to speak.

I’m a huge boxing/MMA fan/participant. I hear Brian Viloria is big time out in Hawaii? I’ve actually sparred with the guy. He’s super fast, but what’s even more amazing is that he can take a fucking punch. I clocked that guy and he landed on his ass, but he got right back up and practically doubled-me-over with massive hook to my ribs.

The back of them. I was bruised for weeks and couldn’t catch my breath for a month. Fucker is STRONG! (ALL CAPS NECESSARY)

by BixBeiderbecke on Feb 14, 2012 3:19 PM CST up reply actions

Bix, if I may be so bold as to respond to your query in the local patois . . .

Shoots, brah, Viloria stay choke kine popular in da aina. Wot you tink? He take ’em and he geev ’em, but he geev ’em mo bettah. Guess you found dat out, eh? Bettah believe dat fucka stay strong!

;)

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 14, 2012 10:08 PM CST up reply actions

God bless our Dark Lord.

by CarrotTop4 on Feb 15, 2012 7:54 AM CST up reply actions

Roll a phatty and then. . . . .

. . . . let the words lead you away.

Maybe I should restate that: Spark up a massive joint and things might make sense to you. Brian Viloria is one helluva nice guy, super shy and is one of the best Filipino-American boxers on the planet. The Donaire brothers from the Bay Area are barely a tad under his class. Brian’s got 6% body fat and the biggest hands I’ve ever seen on a small guy. Murderous with both hands, and a sneaky drop-set hook that my ribs will never ever forget. (and that was back in ’05!!!! they still hurt from time to time. scar damage, or something???)

by BixBeiderbecke on Feb 15, 2012 9:08 PM CST up reply actions

Is that "J" you meant?

When you said they called Lin “Eremy” in the Bay Area?

You’re a brave soul to have sparred with Viloria. Good on ya, mate!

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 15, 2012 9:41 PM CST up reply actions

Meant to say . . .

is that the “J”

"Luck is the residue of design."
-Branch Rickey

by ShrinkRap on Feb 15, 2012 11:05 PM CST up reply actions

Did you see that "all net 30-footer" last night against the Raptors?

The man is like Trent Reznor these days!!!!

So deep in the zone, he’s “up above it”!

Kinda like a cloud I was up way up in the sky
And I was feeling
Some feelings you wouldn’t believe
Sometimes I don’t believe them myself
And I decided I was never coming down.

I was up above it (I WAS!) . . . . . .Now I’m down in it! (as a fan any incredible athletic feat(s). . . . . i’m down with the linsanity of it all!)

At the time, his trainer needed sparring partners. We were going 3 1/2 – 4 minutes in some dreary gym. I fit a profile: tall, fast, super-strong, but technically unsound. And a lefty. It’s what they needed. Believe me when I say this, because it’s all truthful. I gave Brian a certain type of hell he hadn’t felt before. And I’m no pro, like he is. He was surprised and we fought evenly. He had superior speed, unlike that I’ve never experienced and after 4 days- I still couldn’t catch up to him. You just can’t. Unless you’re someone at his level. There are things you can’t teach, and I’ll compliment him by saying he has leverage to go with speed and a core body torque that is unearthly. His power shots simply rock. For a shorty, he could maul most any 200 lb-er of any discipline. Straight. In and out and then there goes the lights, baby!

by BixBeiderbecke on Feb 15, 2012 11:34 PM CST up reply actions