Lin buys Redick’s racial slur apology
Jeremy Lin weighed in on the controversy over JJ Redick’s seeming racial slur against Chinese fans.
The Nets’ injured guard — who became the first American of Taiwanese or Chinese descent to play in the NBA when he entered the league in 2010 — talked to league commissioner Adam Silver, NBA China CEO David Shoemaker and Redick.
Redick, pursued by the Nets this past summer before he signed with the 76ers, took part in a video produced by Chinese media company TenCent with players offering unscripted greetings wishing fans a happy Chinese New Year. Redick, who owns a penthouse in DUMBO, appeared to send his best wishes to “all the NBA ch-nk fans in China.”
The veteran 76ers guard promptly apologized and claimed he was tongue-tied. Lin, who worked out with Redick this offseason, spoke with him personally and accepted the explanation.
“I spoke with JJ today on the phone for a long time,” Lin wrote on Twitter. “I truly believe he didn’t say a racial slur and that he has a great deal of respect towards Chinese people. I also reached out to Adam Silver and David Shoemaker. Everyone knows that this word should never be used in referring to Chinese people and everyone is committed to Chinese fans being treated with the equality and respect that they deserve.
“Being Chinese is so important to me and I will do everything I can to work with the NBA to help continue to teach fans about the depth and beauty of Chinese culture and the importance of China to basketball culture. To the fans, I encourage you to not use hateful language towards the NBA and JJ. Hope everyone continues to have a Happy Chinese New Year!”
Lin is the third-most popular NBA star in China, according to digital marketing company Mailman, behind only Stephen Curry and the retired Kobe Bryant, and he is treated like a megastar when he visits over the offseason.