Very few basketball players represent a phenomenon that is bigger than their size, such was Jeremy Lin. Like the African Americans before him, he represented an entire generation of Asians, who felt marginalized and unrepresented in the best league in the world. Yes, there was Yao Ming, but he was not born in the United States.
The series "38 in the Garden" describes all the stages of Lin's struggle, from his childhood to his becoming a star, against racism and ignorance. Despite having an outstanding career, an outstanding college player and a top prospect in high school, he was not selected in the NBA draft. He suffered from racism, ignorance, prejudices and thanks to a lot of stubbornness and a positive spirit he overcame them.
He also got his big opportunity, in the New York Knicks, thanks to the goddess of luck. Injuries brought him to the forefront and thanks to them he finally got a real chance. He became an all-American phenomenon and did not stop scoring points and excelling. It was a particularly surprising phenomenon, making headlines all over the world and making a name for itself in Asian American communities.
Many of them see him as a hero, as a leading figure who paved the way for them into popular culture and in general in everything related to competitive sports. The docu "38 in the Garden" was created thanks to interviews with Lin himself, key figures and fans, trying to decipher how unique and significant his break into the heart of the stage is for the community he represents.
Although Jeremy Lin is mainly an American phenomenon, his personal story and not necessarily the sports one is particularly exciting and interesting, he is a person with a unique voice, who has gone through enormous difficulties, including being in eBay and having the experience of being homeless and finally coming out victorious and even a symbol for an entire community.
