San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
G League investigating Lin’s claim
The NBA G League said Friday that it was investigating a report by Jeremy Lin, one of the bestknown Asian American players in basketball, that he had been called “coronavirus” on the court.
Lin disclosed the slur in a Facebook post Thursday in which he denounced the racism and discrimination faced by Asian Americans. It was a prominent example of the rising tide of bigotry that many Asian Americans say they have endured since last year, when former President Donald Trump began describing the coronavirus as the “China virus.”
“Being an Asian American doesn't mean we don't experience poverty and racism,” wrote Lin, who plays for the Golden State Warriors' G League affiliate. “Being a 9 year NBA veteran doesn't protect me from being called ‘coronavirus' on the court. Being a man of faith doesn't mean I don't fight for justice, for myself and for others.”
A league spokesperson confirmed that an investigation had been opened but declined to comment further.
Lin, who is Taiwanese American, has spoken openly about the discrimination and questioning he has faced in professional basketball. He has also proudly embraced his status as a role model and an inspiration for many Asian Americans.
A former Harvard basketball player, Lin became a breakout sensation in the 2011-12 NBA season when, as a relative unknown on the bench, he took over as a guard for the New York Knicks and tore through the league, prompting a wave of excitement that became known as “Linsanity.” He scored more points in his first five starts than any other player in nearly 40 years, peaking with 38 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lakers’ Schroder criticizes rules
Dennis Schroder said he never had COVID-19 and “tested negative,” but he had to quarantine for seven days after it was determined that “somebody in my house” was in violation of contact tracing protocols.
He was cleared to play Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers after he was forced to miss four games that the Lakers lost.
Schroder's return to the lineup was much needed for the Lakers. His 22 points, three rebounds and two assists were a big part of their 102-93 victory.
But he was not happy that the NBA forced him to miss those games while he was in the health and safety protocols.
“It hurts, first off,” Schroder said late Friday night. “I never had COVID. Tested negative the whole time. The situation is what it is. But the NBA I think got to do better. I think for sure they need to do better. I mean, I tested negative the whole time. I never had positive. They got to figure that out, for sure.”
Schroder had arrived at Staples Center on Feb. 18 for a big showdown between the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.
Schroder said he “was inside the arena” when he got a call from Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' vice president of basketball operations and general manager, “saying you might not be able to play.”
Schroder said the contact tracing went back to his home.
“The test came back positive, then we put that back in: negative,” he said. “Did another one: positive. Put it back in: negative. So I don't know at this point.”