(
)
The Post’s Steve Serby sat down Thursday with the Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin. Here is the conclusion of that interview:
Q: How do you feel about being an inspiration to so many people?
A: I think it’s awesome because I’ve been inspired, too. And I think it’s important for any kid to have an inspiration. I think right now the way society’s going, I think role models are important, and kids need direction. If I didn’t have that direction growing up, who knows what I could be doing, because I’ve been lost many times in my life, and I’ve had to have someone guide me back on the right path. So any time I can do that and help other kids, I think that’s awesome.
Q: What was the worst instance when you were lost?
A: I would probably just say when I was really, really arrogant, and … I just didn’t listen to anybody, just my typical teenage years where it’s just rebelling. I think I know everything. I don’t need to hear anything from anybody, and I’m just going to do it my own way.
Q: You’ve decided on living in Manhattan. Why?
A: My older brother’s there and my sister-in-law is there.
Q: First time you played at the Garden?
A: I was with Golden State, and I played about a minute-and-a-half to two minutes, and had a turnover, a steal and an assist.
Q: What do you remember about stepping on the court for the first time?
A: I remember walking in and I was like, “This isn’t as big as I thought it would be” (laughs).
Q: So you were not awed … but you don’t seem to be awed by anything.
A: Well when the game starts, it’s all basketball.
Q: When you’re on the court now, has that really become a sanctuary for you?
A: Yeah definitely. It’s like our team is like our family. And we go to battle on the court and we fight for each other and we trust in each other and we rely on each other and that’s what it is on the court. When we’re out there together, we don’t care about our phones, we don’t care about the media, no one can reach us. It’s just us, being us, playing for us. It is, in some ways, a sanctuary.
Q: Favorite New York City things?
A: The energy of the city, and playing in the Garden.
Q: Spike Lee?
A: He’s very encouraging, and I’m very thankful for that, and obviously he’s a big part of New York basketball.
Q: Athletes you admire?
A: (Tim) Tebow. Yao Ming — he’s an unbelievable guy … on and off the court. I think what athletes do off the court is more impressive to me than what they do on the court.
Q: Who are the point guards you have liked watching over the years?
A: Chris Paul, Steve Nash.
Q: Because?
A: Because you can’t measure their impact. You look at a team with them on the court, and then the team without them on the court.
Q: What drives you?
A: I would say knowing that what I’m doing is glorifying God, in that He’s created me and blessed me with the talent to be able to play basketball, and then I make sure I do it the right way.
Q: Do you want to be a pastor?
A: Somewhere down the road.
Q: Why?
A: I just think like when I’m done, I want to wake up every day knowing that I’m doing something that will have an eternal impact and eternal consequence.
Q: One thing you would change about yourself if you could?
A: Pride, I would say. Just dealing with pride, and the constant battle with that.
Q: What do you mean?
A: I think everyone, to some degree, we all struggle with our own pride. Learning to love people when we don’t want to love them, and to forgive people when we don’t want to forgive them, and to serve people who sometimes we feel like we’re above or we’re better or we’re smarter than, or whatever it may be.
Q: Superstitions?
A: Pregame nap, and reading my Bible before the game.
Q: You read the Bible before every game?
A: Yeah. I have to. It gets me centered, gives me peace when I pray and read the Bible. As athletes, it’s stressful sometimes. … I hate having a bad game, so sometimes I need to remind myself just to let everything go and just to be myself, have fun and just give my best effort.
Q: Biggest obstacle you faced growing up?
A: I want to just say when I broke my ankle my junior year (at Palo Alto High School). It was the night before the championship game. That changed my whole life because before that, up to that point, I was a really bad practice player, I had a lot of attitude, I’d be kicked out of practice. I just wouldn’t listen to any of the coaches. I felt like I was just the best player. And once I broke my ankle it changed my whole perspective. On everything. I just told myself, “I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to play because at any minute you can lose your career, and while I play, as many days as God gives me, I’m going to make sure I go 100 percent.”
Q: What’s the worst thing you did in practice that got you kicked out of practice?
A: Just attitude, I would say. Just not playing hard, walking around, giving up, stuff like that.
Q: Biggest influence growing up?
A: My older brother, just kind of giving me advice on what it means to be mature, what it means to be responsible. (He) just led the way and gave me a lot of different advice, and also basketball. (He) pushed me — he was always better than me growing up, and he helped me become better. I was always chasing him and riding his coattails.
Q: Best piece of advice your parents gave you?
A: They always tell me, “Whatever you do, give your best effort, and give it unto the Lord, and trusting him with the results.”
Q: Most difficult course at Harvard?
A: Expository writing.
Q: Favorite course?
A: I’d say some sociology courses.
Q: How did you do in that expository writing class, by the way?
A: A solid C minus (smiles).
Q: What’s so solid about a C minus?
A: (Laughs) It was solid for me.
Q: Boyhood idol?
A: Michael Jordan.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Michael Jordan; Martin Luther King; Tim Tebow.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Oceans 11”; “Entrapment”; “The Italian Job” — a lot of stealing stuff (smiles); “Shooter”; “The Shawshank Redemption”.
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Probably Denzel Washington.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Mila Kunis.
Q: Favorite entertainer?
A: Hillsong.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Maine lobster … fresh.
Q: Have you found a spot in New York?
A: No, whenever I go to Maine, I just make sure I go over there and get some Maine lobster.
Q: How often do you go to Maine?
A: Whenever they send me to D-League (smiles)?
Q: So there is a benefit going to the D-League then?
A: Relative cost benefit … I would say I’d rather stay here.
Q: Your message to the Asian community?
A: Just thank you, and hopefully we can continue to break stereotypes. It’s just a lot more thank you and gratitude than anything else, because they’ve been absolutely unbelievable in terms of their support. Unbelievable.
Q: Did those stereotypes bother you when you were younger?
A: Yeah, of course.
Q: They would call you “Wonton soup” at games … what was the worst thing you heard that really got to you?
A: I’ve been called a “chink” by another player on an opposing (college) team.
Q: Did you say anything to him?
A: I was like really confused, and then he said it again, and then I was just like, “You need to chill,” and I told the ref, I’m like, “He really needs to stop saying that to me.”
Q: What if he hadn’t stopped?
A: I probably would have done something stupid (chuckles).
Q: Your message to Knicks fans?
A: Thank you, let’s keep this thing going, and who knows? The sky’s the limit.
Q: Do you think this team can do some damage?
A: Of course. I think on paper, it’s as talented, or almost as talented, as any team there is. You add chemistry, you add defense, you add momentum, confidence, a system that works. If you’re clicking at the right time like the Giants were, who knows?