Jeremy Lin: 'I Truly Believe' JJ Redick Didn't Say Chinese Racial Slur on Video
February 19, 2018
Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin said Monday that he had a conversation with Philadelphia 76ers guard JJ Redick regarding Redick's use of what sounded like a racial slur against Chinese people.
After speaking with Redick, Lin said he didn't believe Redick purposely used the slur:
In a video featuring several NBA players wishing people a happy Chinese New Year, Redick seemed to say, "I just wanted to wish all the NBA c---k fans of China a very happy Chinese New Year" (warning: post contains profanity):
Lin is of Chinese descent.
On Sunday, Redick explained the situation by saying he was "tongue-tied" while addressing the NBA's Chinese fans:
JJ Redick @JJRedickJust saw a video that is being circulated of me wishing a happy new year to NBA fans in China.Clearly I was tongue tied, as the word I purportedly said is not in my vocabulary. I’m disappointed that anyone would think I would use that word. I love & respect our friends in China.
Redick also issued an apology to anyone he may have offended:
Lin has been outspoken on the issue of racism, and he said last year that he encountered more racism in college at Harvard than during his time in the NBA.
Even so, Lin told ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk that racism is still present at the NBA level: "To this day in the NBA, there are still some times where there are still some fans that will say smaller stuff, and that is not a big deal. But that motivates me in a different way."
The 29-year-old Lin is an eight-year NBA veteran who has spent time with the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets and the Nets.
He is out for the remainder of the 2017-18 season after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in the Nets' season-opening game.