Rant of the Exiles

I've always imagined starting a company with friends. I can't think of a product we would make. I'm not sure it even matters. I just want to work with people that inspire me. I want to work with a team where we have similar values, close friendships, and are working to accomplish something big together.  When Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Andre Igoudala came together on the US national team in 2010, they were inseparable . Not only did they share a preternatural work ethic - they would get shots up in the evening after practice - they also shared a common devotion to their faith as the guys went to chapel together before every game. From what I understand, USA basketball and the NBA do not require chapel attendance. It's for guys who are both serious about their faith and not ashamed to be public about it. There's something significant about being devout believers on a professional sports team. I can't imagine the NBA being an easy place to live out you...

1) Can I crash on your couch tonight? 2) You know Taiwan and China are different countries right?  I'm Taiwanese American AND Chinese American. My parents are from Taiwan but originally from mainland China. It's actually two different countries. Taiwan is recognized by the United Nations as a nation but the People's Republic of China, that is, mainland China, sees Taiwan as a renegade province. Thus, Taiwan has a big chip on its shoulder when it comes to sovereignty and foreign affairs. The two countries have this strained relationship. But it's been better recently. It's all kinda complicated.  Kobe, why are you walking away? 3) When do you think Yellow Mamba will catch on? 4) So I read you make 900 jumpers a day. Do you ever, like, you know, do the same thing with passing? 5) Like I was wondering could we maybe work something out like for every 10th pass I give you, maybe you could send one back my way?  I could make like one of tho...

A response to this well-written  article . I am unlucky. In the lottery of life, I came up empty. I lost because I have college educated parents who placed achievement over athletics, were Asian, not very tall, and not very good at sports. I live in a safe neighborhood and was unfortunate enough to have attended a local high school that had a nationally ranked speech and debate team but a very crappy basketball team. Due to the lack of diversity in my student population, I am not playing in the National Basketball Association. That's why I support affirmative action for the NBA. I was shocked after attending a Golden State Warriors game recently. Most of the players were black. This does not reflect the demographic of California. Upon further research, I discovered the NBA is 78% black. I could not believe this lack of diversity. Clearly, blacks are overrepresented in the NBA whereas Asians are an underrepresented minority. We must begin reversing this trend today. 1) Th...

The Jeremy Lin story has been incredibly inspirational. It is a story about grace – the miracle of God. It certainly is also about his hard work and determination and perseverance. He is a singularly unique player. No one predicted this kind of success. He got ready and he got the opportunity. And it’s nothing short of amazing what he’s doing with the opportunity. I don’t think hard work can fully explain it. Certainly, he was novelty at Golden State but he was always a great college player, albeit at Harvard. No one could have predicted this level of success. His athleticism, passing ability, driving creativity, sneakiness and all-around game are just unbelievable. This is the best sports story of a generation. We’re going to look back on this in awe and just wonder how it happened. I feel completely inspired and encouraged by what he’s doing. It’s like he’s on a mission from God to destroy every possible stereotype about Asian American men. I wish I could think about someth...

UPDATE: A more nuanced and balanced blog post by a fellow Cal bear and Campus Crusader who allows for the choices Jeremy Lin makes. My intent was to dispel the American myth that hard work always leads to success (and here ). In doing so, it may seem like I'm denigrating Jeremy's work ethic. I'm not. Every basketball player makes it the NBA by the grace of God but it's only something we see in retrospect. Or hard work and choices do play a role but my emphasis is on God's power in all of it. ************************************************************************************************* Jeremy Lin is the latest NBA and media sensation – having led the moribund New York Knicks to three consecutive victories. There’s an article about Jeremy Lin that closes by saying this is what hard work accomplishes. The implication is that hard work is what enabled Jeremy Lin to be successful on the highest scale; it is what allowed him to score 76 points in the past three game...