J.R. Smith Denies Accusations of Racism Toward Jeremy Lin
Cleveland Cavaliers swingman J.R. Smith denied accusations Wednesday of alleged racism against Brooklyn Nets point guard Jeremy Lin.
Smith posted a series of tweets defending himself:
"I never want to entertain this topic but whoever said i am or was racist to @JLin7 because he was Asian is wrong on so many levels! I went to the #ESPYS to support him when all of Lin-sanity was going on stood up for him when other players knocked him down. Don't ever in your life try an play me as racist. For someone who grew up where I did I know a little thing about it an it's never ok!
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Smith and Lin were teammates on the New York Knicks during the 2011-12 season.
The controversy began after Lin went on WFAN's Boomer and Carton show Wednesday. According to Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily, co-host Craig Carton asked Lin about any potential animosity in the Knicks locker room—citing Smith in particular—based on Lin's Asian heritage.
Lin didn't state that Smith specifically showed any hostility toward him but added he has faced discrimination during his time in the league:
"The one thing I will say is that race has been a huge part of my journey ever since I was a child trying to play basketball. So, I do think there was always that type of component involved but again as I've always said, it's a double-edged sword. It comes with the good it comes with the bad. Yeah, sometimes I'm different… I look different and I'm treated different and that's a negative thing, and in some ways that’s a really positive thing.
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During the height of Linsanity in February 2012, TV network MSG drew criticism for showing a sign that had Lin's face along with a fortune cookie and the words, "The Knicks Good Fortune." In the same month, ESPN fired editor Anthony Federico and suspended anchor Max Bretos after they used the phrase "a chink in the armor" in stories involving Lin.
In an interview with ESPN.com's Michael Wallace in March, Lin said he had been stopped by security guards who asked to see his credentials while entering or exiting arenas. Lin described the incidents as "one of those things where it literally happens everywhere" and "just part of being Asian in the NBA."
