A piece from 704Sports on the impact of Linsanity on the Hornets fanbase.
http://704sports.com/2015/07/17/the-improbable-rise-of-linsanity-an-international-fanbase/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetworkNot much new info, but it's interesting to see the phenomenon from the perspective of a longtime Charlotte-based organization (they even have Charlotte's area code in their name!) that covers the Panthers, Nascar, and the Hornets.
Unbeknownst to most North American NBA fans, Jeremy Lin has an international following that rivals almost any current or former player not named Jordan, James or Bryant. Within minutes of the signing, fans swarmed the Hornets social media outlets by the thousands to support and congratulate Lin for embarking on his newest NBA adventure, in Charlotte. Outside of the Linsanity movement that turned Lin into an overnight celebrity, what makes these fans so extraordinarily passionate about him? To answer that, you need to start from the beginning of Jeremy Lin’s very improbable path to the NBA stardom.
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Overnight, Lin not only became the toast of New York, but an athletic superstar the Asian community so rightfully deserved. While some will point out that Lin never truly played at the the same level as a Rocket or Laker, it’s worth pointing out that Lin was marred by coaching styles and systems that didn’t fit his play. With the Hornets, Lin will have the opportunity to play more freely than his previous two teams and it’s not impractical to expect increased production from him.
Looking back at all the unjustified adversity and racism that Lin had to face, it’s not difficult to recognize why Lin has such an immense fanbase. The unique player has broken racial barriers in the NBA, been the classic underdog that everyone loves, all while being a humble person in a sport filled with egocentrics. The fan’s that Lin has brought with him to Charlotte brings a new element of diversity to the Charlotte Hornets and I hope they’ve found a permanent home with us.