Taiwan abuzz over success of first NBA star

Feb 11, 2012, 6:24 GMT

Taipei - Many Taiwanese were fixed on television screens Saturday morning to witness Jeremy Lin lead the New York Knicks to a 92-85 victory over Los Angeles Lakers.

About 500 fans arrived at a Taipei mall early to watch Lin play on the big screen at an ESPN-sponsored event.

With 38 points and 7 assists against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, Lin, the first NBA player of Taiwanese descent, has solidified his claim to the Knicks' starting point guard position.

He has now turned in four straight games with 20-plus points.

Lin's performance has energized the island territory that cheers feverishly for its few athletes and competitors who make it onto the international stage, overshadowed as they are in politics and sports by mainland China.

'I think Taiwanese people always need an emotion outlet in the international arena, so to speak,' Chris Wang, a former sportswriter, said.

'Having been ignored and marginalized for decades, they always need these examples to tell the world that 'we're pretty good.' That's why you see Taiwanese root for Chien-ming Wang, Yani Tseng, their baseball teams - regardless whether they follow these sports or not - as well as one of their own in a bakery competition.'

Even before Lin became a sensation, local media and sports fans had been following his progress. Television stations regularly reported on the meager minutes that Lin played when he was stuck deep on the bench of the Golden State Warriors last year.

Lin's parents immigrated to the United States from Taiwan in the 1970s. Even though he was born in the US, the island eagerly claims him as their own. News stations buzzed when he visited Taiwan in August to teach a basketball camp for children.

Since Lin's hot hand began, viewership for NBA broadcasts in Taiwan have soared. Broadcaster Elta TV reported ratings 50 per cent higher on average for Lin's first three 20-point-plus games, compared to a normal NBA broadcast. Ratings more than doubled for a rerun for the Knicks vs Washington Wizards game on Thursday night.

Taiwanese have dubbed him 'Hao xiao zi,' a play on his Chinese name, which roughly translates to 'what a young stud.'

Jason Hung, 29, a fan who has followed Lin's exploits this week, described his personal pride over the fact that the world now knows Lin has game.

'I just feel he is extremely influential, since having an Asian-American being recognized is always challenge, not to mention noticeable,' Hung said.

'I think I felt a similar inspiration when Obama got elected president.'