Jeremy Lin surprised the NBA world last year and he says part of that comes from who he is.

"I think the advantage of being an Asian basketball player in America is that no one expects anything from you, and no one thinks you are going to be good," Lin told a press conference in Taipei.

"The reason why I said it was an advantage is because everyone takes you lightly, and the minute you step out on the court, you give it to them and you immediately earn their respect, but no one is going to give it to you right away, not in America at least."

Lin averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists last season with the Knicks before being sidelined with a knee injury. In the off-season he signed a deal with the Rockets.

Houston's Asian population had a hero in Yao Ming and Lin says he doesn't see himself supplanting Yao's legacy.

"What I have done is nothing compared to what Yao has done," Lin said. "I have always looked up to Yao, but I don't see myself as having to fill his shoes. My goal was very simple, and it is to get as close as I can to reach my personal potential. I am not sure what that is, but my goal is to find out."

(Thanks to Shelly Shan of the Taipai Times for the tip)