- Beijing Ducks’ new star thanks fans for their support over nine-year career that saw him become a champion with the Toronto Raptors
- CBA season begins on November 1 and Chinese fans hope Lin can emulate Stephon Marbury’s success
Jeremy Lin thanked his fans and the NBA on his social media accounts after announcing he would play for the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association next season.
"All I can say is THANK YOU to the NBA, my family, inner circle, every fan who came to watch or rooted for me during these last 9 years!," he wrote on Instagram in a post that had more than 200,000 likes.
"To challenge stereotypes, make history, rep Asians at the NBA level and pave the path as others have done for me has been an absolute privilege. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for each person who has been with me each step of the way.
"Equally excited for this next step with the Beijing Ducks! I always knew my path would go through the CBA solely bc (because) I knew how much of an honour it would be to hoop in front of all my Chinese fans. I'm here now and there is more history to be made!"
Lin, who previously played for CBA side Dongguan Leopards during the NBA shutout in 2011, also congratulated his brother Joseph on extending his contract with Taiwanese Super Basketball League champions the Fubon Braves.
"Also congrats to @joe_linstagram on a contract extension fresh off a championship with the @fubon_braves … you're a beast and to be able to sign our contracts on the same day is something Ill forever cherish. Love you lil bro!"
Lin was more succinct on Twitter.
"Thanks to the NBA and everyone who's supported me the last 9 years!" he wrote. "Will always cherish being able to rep Asians at the NBA level. Excited for the next step with the Beijing Ducks. Excited to make more history.
"Congrats lil bro on signing your contract extension on the same day!"
Reaction to that Twitter post has been largely supportive of Lin's move to the CBA. A user called "themamajane" referenced Lin's past interviews as she expressed her anger at the NBA for giving up on the 31-year-old.
"NBA abandoned you for non-basketball reasons. I'm furious!," she wrote.
"Your own words said it all. "I was never a basketball player growing up. I was never an American basketball player. I was never just a basketball player. I was always That's a Chinese basketball player." BE PROUD FOREVER!"
Other fans such as "PaulMoonWalker" have threatened to leave the NBA with Lin.
"Lin was the "team" I rooted for the last nine years. Goodbye NBA," the user wrote.
Toronto Raptors reporter William Lou was another among the well-wishers for the NBA champion. "It really sucks that he didn't pan out but I'm so happy Jeremy Lin was on the Raptors and got his ring," he wrote. "Best of luck in Beijing."
Lin signed for the Raptors in March, but played only 27 minutes in the play-offs and just one minute in the finals as the franchise lifted their first NBA title.
The guard has signed a one-year contract with the Beijing Ducks under CBA rules for foreign players. The team finished fifth in the regular season and lost in the quarter-finals of the play-offs to the Shenzhen Leopards.
Beijing Ducks will look to Lin to improve upon that once the season gets under way on November 1.
Another former New York Knicks star who moved to Beijing, Stephon Marbury, helped the Ducks to three CBA championships in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Fans wrote on social media that they hoped Lin could emulate Marbury, who now coaches the Ducks' local rivals Beijing Royal Fighters.
Chinese basketball writer Chen Yueze wrote on Sina Weibo that Lin is the best foreign import since Tracy McGrady, while others were just as excited at the attention he will bring the CBA.
Fans and journalists also expressed their belief that Lin's arrival means the Ducks will challenge for the championship this season.
Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.