After Game 6 an old topic that I have wanted to debate reappeared in my mind. I thought hard about writing this article in the past few day but after today’s game it was I had to bring this up. I could’ve taken the time to write about Friday or today’s game but it would’ve been a waste of time and there is nothing good coming out of that. Instead, I want to talk about the underlying truth that’s been obscured by most, even by Jeremy Lin’s own selfless and calm personality.

If you have followed me on Twitter you would know that I don’t necessarily like it when people play the racism card. I find it too simple and more of a reaction taken at the heat of the moment rather than a logical conclusion. You might also know that I’m not Asian. Therefore, what I’m going to talk about doesn’t come from racial-preference. But, from my observations of what’s obviously a discrepancy in equal perception of Jeremy Lin compared to others and how this stereotypical perception has affected Lin’s current season and how it might shape his future in the NBA.

(Before I go any further I must clarify my position on Steve Clifford’s treatment of Lin before I am misinterpreted. Clifford is not a Byron Scott or a Kevin McHale. In my opinion, he has treated Lin fairly during the entire season and more so than any other coach since Mike D’Antoni.)

The underlying truth is that Jeremy Lin is not like any other NBA player. And I don’t mean that the way that you might think I do. I was at Time Warner Cable Arena for Game 6 thanks to a fellow Lin fan that was generous enough to give me a free ticket. As you all know Lin had a terrible game, there is no way to sugarcoat it. But, Lin is human, he is like every other NBA player which means he can have a bad game just like anyone else. Or maybe not. Because as I headed out to the exits the only thing I heard people talking about was Jeremy Lin’s horrible game. In game 6 Lin had 8 Points shooting 1/8 from the field in 23 minutes. It was indeed a bad night, but my question is, why did I only hear about Jeremy Lin having a bad game? Frank had 7 points in 35 minutes. Lee had 2 points (yes, two) in 39 minutes. Marvin Williams had 0 points shooting 0/7 in 37 minutes! Yet, I didn’t hear anyone talking about any of those players. Why is that? Why is it that it’s ok for Frank, Marvin and Lee to have bad games without their value diminishing but not for Jeremy Lin.

Why is it that someone like Cory Joseph, who averaged 7/2/2 in 18 MPG last year, got a 7.5 M/YR contract this season; and Jeremy Lin who averaged 11/4.6/2.6 in 23 MPG last year got a miserable 2 M/YR contract? Even Jeremy Lamb got an extension of 7 M/YR averaging only 6/2/1 in 14 MPG last season. I know there is going to be a lot of arguments about contracts, but I don’t have time to dive into all the little details so let me go a bit further.

My argument is much more than contracts and money. It’s the fact that Lin’s bad games are treated differently than anyone else’s bad games. That Lin’s best games are treated differently than anyone else’s best games. Imagine that Lin was a stock in the market. In essence, when Lin has a great game his stock might stay the same or rise by 1-2%. When Lin has a bad game his stock plummets 80-90%. Yet, Batum can have a horrible game yet his value remains the same and no one questions his basketball abilities. Some may call this racism but I think that answer is too simple. I think there is a stereotypical subliminal perception of Lin, I know that’s a mouthful, but let me explain further.

In Lin’s first season with the Rockets he averaged 13/6/3 in 32 MPG. After that “terrible” season he was benched the following year in favor of the infamous Patrick Beverley. Last season (first season without Lin) Beverley averaged 10/3/4 in 31 MPG. Beverley got a 6.25 M/YR contract after that season which was deemed as “great.”

But for some unknown reason Lin’s points, assists and rebounds per game have less value than everyone else’s he is compared with. But the stereotypical subliminal perception of Lin is not just about his value. Recently another Lin fan published a video that became viral about Lin’s “too flagrant not to call” fouls. I remember watching the first 2-3 minutes and I had to take the video off. I just couldn’t keep on watching. These fouls were so flagrant yet sometimes Lin didn’t even get a common foul call. It was terrible.

In some way it’s like Lin is treated with a completely different set of standards. Let’s even bring it to today’s Game 7. The Hornet’s were having a terrible game and Lin was getting in his groove in the second quarter. Yet, he was benched and only played 9 minutes as the Hornets were down 12 at halftime. Clifford waited until they were down 20+ points to call his first time-out of the 3rd quarter. And guess who remained in the bench? Jeremy Lin. In fact, Lin finished with the same total amount points as Kemba Walker, who played 36 mins compared to Lin’s 19, in half the amount of shots. Yet again, no one is going to question Kemba’s basketball abilities just because of a bad game, and his value will not diminish either.

This subliminal stereotypical perception is so bad that I fear that Lin’s terrible Game 6 will undo most of what he has been able to accomplish during the entire season. I hope this is not the case. Thankfully we have been able to experience some good coverage on Lin after Game 4 and 5 of the playoffs. But the truth is that I expect Lin’s value to be lower than what it should be compared to other similar players unless there is a team that really wants him. My bet is on the Nets. I think they would be willing to give Lin the chance he deserves. Regardless, as good of a season he had, and as great as his teammates are if Lin stays, and everyone else does as well, he will commit career suicide. Lin would average less than 18 MPG next season for the Hornets if he stays. The only way I see that Lin stays is if Batum leaves. And believe me, I would love Lin to stay in Charlotte, I live in this city, but he shouldn’t, he can’t. Sadly, we won’t be able to know anything anytime soon after our season was cut short.

What I been able to see in the last few years dissapoints me tremendously. I have seen Lin have great games, yet never getting the recognition or the value that he deserves. His basketball abilities and value is questioned every single bad game he has. But, the truth is Lin is human. He is not perfect, neither should he be. However, for most in the NBA Lin can never be good enough. I really hope that after these playoffs someone gives Lin the keys to run a team, but if history repeats himself, sadly, that won’t be the case. And Lin is too good to just be a 18 MPG role player.