Jeremy Lin would like people to know that the rap he has about not being able to play solid NBA defense is a myth. It may have to do with a perception that he’s not as athletic as his point guard peers — another myth, according to Lin, which probably stems partly from his Asian heritage. “People just see me being Asian and they think a certain thing,” Lin says.
[The Jeremy Lin Quiz — Think You Know Jeremy Lin? 13 Questions]
Being a Harvard guy who grew up near Silicon Valley, Lin naturally turns to the data to combat this misconception about his defensive prowess. Talking to Scott Fowler at the Charlotte Observer in preparation for his first season as a Hornet, Lin dropped a stat that may come as a surprise even for those who already believe he’s a strong defender. “If you really dig into the numbers, if you look at my isolation defense numbers,” Lin says, “you will see me leading all point guards in blocks per 48 minutes.” It’s a fact that also contributes to Jeremy Lin’s value as a sleeper fantasy basketball pick.
