Floyd Mayweather misses the point of Jeremy Lin

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. weighed in on the media storm surrounding N.Y. Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin, giving him no credit for skills or his effect on the Knicks' won-loss record.

UPDATE---Tuesday Feb.14, 2012---Floyd Mayweather has commented about the storm he brewed with comments about Asian heritage being the only reason for the Linsanity phenomenon. Today's post on Facebook: "As soon as I support Black American athletes, I get criticized. Wow what a country."

Once again, Mayweather fails to see that his original comments leave out many factors in play for Jeremy Lin's instant popularity.
________________________________________________________________________
Jeremy Lin, the media darling that has spurred words and phrases such as "Linsanity" and "Linning" to describe his emergence on the NBA landscape, has been cited by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as another way for black athletes to be slighted.

On his Facebook page, Money Mayweather had this to say on Monday. "Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise."

Mayweather is out on bail, waiting to begin his jail sentence in Las Vegas while he trains for a May 5, 2012 bout with Miguel Cotto. A hoped-for match with Manny Pacquiao was put on hold yet again after failed negotiations between the two camps.

Floyd's assertion about the second year player out of Harvard, makes one point while missing another. Lin's Asian heritage makes him somewhat unique in the NBA. He is the first of Taiwanese heritage and along with Yi Jianlan constitute the league's Asian contingent. Some of the hype is certainly about his heritage.

The rest of it is more about a rags to riches story of a bench warmer, cut by two teams who was picked up by the Knicks for their own bench. His emergence from that into the toast of N.Y. is a perfect storyline for the city's tabloids who thrive on what's hot at the moment.

Lin, unlike Yi has burst on the scene without fanfare and put the Knicks on a five-game winning streak since his insertion into the lineup. He has averaged 27.3 points and 8.3 assists in his first four starts. He put up 38 points against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers and is the first sign of life at the point guard position in N.Y. this season.

Then there is this interesting stat: no player of any race has averaged Lin's numbers in the short time he has been in the N.Y. Knicks starting lineup.

Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni's offense begs for a traditional guard at the point who distributes the ball, moves without the ball and sets up teammates for scores. If he puts up big points in the process, so much the better for D'Antoni whose success with the Phoenix Suns is attributable in great part to sure Hall of Famer Steve Nash.

Jeremy Lin is making general managers and scouts look bad for having missed the young man's talents at his previous two stops on the NBA train. If going from the basement to the penthouse weren't enough of a surprise story, doing it in New York, where greater stars have wilted from the pressure and media scrutiny makes it even more special.

But Mayweather's assertion that black athletes don't get accolades of the same type ignores the obvious headlines and praise for a black point guard in Los Angeles named Chris Paul.

Paul is the darling of L.A. after a trade from New Orleans and his huge part in the turnaround of perennially woeful Clippers. He is responsible for the national media talk about the Lakers being the step-sister team that plays in the Staples Center.

There is also that small matter of one Derrick Rose, also African American and a point guard who was the #1 draft pick, Rookie of the Year then the league's Most Valuable Player.

It would be unfair to Mayweather to continue reciting facts that render his statement ridiculous, since he has chosen to sound ignorant although he is a man that all know to be smart, savvy and one of the best self-promoters in the sports world.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.