Professional Basketball And The BibleMuestra

“Bible Verses Guide Jeremy Lin Through Career Transitions, Challenges”

In February of 2012, after nearly two years of struggling to get traction in the NBA, a lightly regarded point guard put together a remarkable string of games that would set the league on fire. Not only did Jeremy Lin instantly become one of the most notable Asian American athletes, he also became one of the few Ivy League graduates to play professional basketball in recent history.

The atmosphere surrounding his meteoric rise to fame was dubbed “Linsanity,” and he quickly used that newfound platform as a way to share how the Bible had impacted his life.

For instance, prior to Lin’s success with the Knicks, he was waived by the Golden State Warriors, spent significant amounts of time toiling in the NBA’s D-League, played briefly in China, and lasted a few games with the Houston Rockets. Lin then spent the early months of the 2011-12 season as a free agent before New York signed him as a fourth-string injury replacement. 

During an interview with GoodTV, Lin reflected on the difficult journey, which had led him to that breakthrough moment and cited a New Testament passage as an expression of his circumstance.

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

“The Bible talks a lot about how God takes bad situations and tough situations and he teaches us and he uses those times of suffering to draw us closer to him and that’s what I try to focus on during those times,” Lin said. “For me, when I get knocked down, I really try to get back up and go at it again. I don’t like to give up.”

The following season, Lin signed a lucrative contract with Houston. A year later, his former teammate Carmelo Anthony was reported to be a free agency target for the Rockets. During the offseason, the team placed signs in its arena depicting Anthony in a Houston jersey with the number 7—a number that so happened to belong to Lin. It was rumored that Lin might be traded to make room for Anthony.

In response, Lin posted a Bible verse to his Twitter account:

“If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.” (Luke 6:29)

To remove any doubt about his intentions, Lin later responded to curious followers with this message:

“I’m entitled to standout for myself/say I felt disrespected as I did thru tweet but point is love unconditionally/as Jesus loved me.”

After his next stop with the Charlotte Hornets, Lin then signed a three-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets. Prior to the 2016-17 season, he continued his habit of publicly quoting the Bible, this time in response to a question from a fan asking about his favorite verse during a Facebook Live event. After explaining that it changes every year to match whatever situation he might be facing, Lin quoted an Old Testament proverb.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)

“I like to have a verse of the year,” Lin explained. “I feel like I go through different stages, so I feel like I need a new verse…Brooklyn is kind of like a clean slate, a fresh start, a new beginning.”