2019 NBA Finals Diaries: Why is Jeremy Lin not playing?
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 07 Jun 2019
Raptor's Jeremy Lin (No 17).
It hurts. And it's not for the faint of heart and the frail of body.
My ongoing trip here in California to cover the 2019 NBA Finals is no different. And like my previous jaunts, the first day was the roughest as I dealt with jet lag while my less than robust body struggled to adapt to a new time zone, reluctantly marching to the beat of a different drummer.
After a long day and night covering Game 3 of these Finals at the Oracle Arena, I slumped in bed lifeless at around 1 AM local time, a recharging that required a few hours.
I greeted the new day with a quick shower and a light breakfast of two glazed donuts and a glass of h2o. I then summoned an Uber shortly before noon. Sixteen miles and $33 later, I was at the Oracle Arena just in time to catch the last 30 minutes of Golden State's practice which was open to the media.
The Warriors talked to a swarm of reporters soon after and it became evidently clear that Klay Thompson demanded most of the curious attention. Absent in Game 3, his presence in Game 4 remains up in the air and the rest of the world was anxious to know.
Raptor's Marc Gasol.
Warrior's DeMarcus Cousins.
I caught a glimpse of the Toronto Raptors' practice as well and I allowed myself to be mesmerized by Kawhi Leonard's giant hands, The Claw, as the NBA universe calls it. Marc Gasol was nice as can be and Paskal Siakam looked even taller up close.
And then there was Jeremy Lin.
Remember him? He was the phenomenon known as "Linsanity." the feel-good tidal wave that swept the New York Knicks into the limelight as the sweethearts of the NBA in that splendid February of 2012.
Seven years and six teams later, he's still here. And while his 15 minutes of fame is well behind him, Jeremy, now 30 years old, is still a serviceable NBA player despite the spate of injuries that had dogged him in recent years.
Traded to Toronto from Atlanta this season, Lin is making $13.7 million in the final year of his contract. Unfortunately, he's not playing much in these Finals behind Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet in the guards rotation.
MIRIAM PANTIG SIGHTING. Before retiring for the day, I embarked on a 44-mile journey to dine and drink at an awesome place called Mesa Grill in Brentwood.
Great food. Warm ambiance. Terrific service. And most importantly, blazing karaoke.
While chowing down "sisig na bangus" and pork barbecue, leisurely washing it with a bottle of Langunitas brew, I chanced upon singer-actress Miriam Pantig. Time has failed to erode both her beauty and dynamite vocal chords.
I had so much fun I didn't head for bed until 1 am.
But with a full belly and just a drip of alcohol in my system, I'll will be fresh for today's Game 4.
caption -- Raptors guard Jeremy 'Linsanity" Lin looks up as the ball sails, He might have also been pondering his NBA future...Marc Gasol of Toronto and Golden State's DeMarcus Cousins chats with reporters while Klay Thomspon is swarmed by reporters at the podium. The author with singer-actress Miriam Pantig.
photos by poncianomelojr@philboxing.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
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