Linsanity in Toronto

Valentine’s was definitely special this year. I was able to volunteer for my friend’s organization CCYAA – Canadian Chinese Youth Athletic Association and go through what its like to be A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SPORTS JOURNALIST. So thank you to Clem who asked me to help out while scoring a chance to watch Jeremy Lin in action!

Our camera guy Karl Man got a few screen captures for me to share on my blog so a big thank you to him for that!!

10:30am : We are on our way to the ACC’s Media Lounge where it feels like something special is going on – crowded room filled with media from New York and Canada.

10:45am : Jeremy Enters the Pre-Game Press Conference after Coach D’Antoni has warmed up the crowd. He seems well rested.

10:55am : I finally get in my last question before Q/A session ends! Yay! (after 3 attempts)

“You’ve had a huge impact on Asian fans that aren’t even exposed to basketball. What would you like to say to them and how does that make you feel?”

(I just found this on the internet, Lawrence you are hilarious!)

11:00am : Scrumming alongside other journalists interviewing Raptors Coach who coached Jeremy when he was invited to play at the Summer League. I got to ask a final question: What can we learn from Jeremy Lin? Interview: http://www.nba.com/raptors/video/dwane-casey-feb-14-2012

I also asked Jose Calderon a question about Jeremy Lin’s weaknesses and got shut down pretty bad. But another reporter saved my ass and re-worded it to get an answer from the Raptors Spanish star.

11:20am : Cameras turned on me and Karl because they were looking to interview Asians, asking us very Asian-related questions.  Global News,  Global National,  CTV

Took a break and then went back to the ACC for more Linsanity!!

5:48pm : Pervy camera dude shooting Jeremy changing. Hahaha! This pic is titled – “JLin shirtless for the Ladies”.

6:05pm : Knicks Locker Room Media Access. I felt like such a n00b cuz I had no idea you can just talk to the players and ask them questions. So I asked Davis what it was like to mentor Jeremy before this madness and if he’s coming out with any new YouTube videos. He said he’s gonna crank one out with Jeremy one of these days. At least I made him chuckle!

6:09pm : This is where I told Tyson that his jersey would probably be long enough to be a dress and he asked me if I tried it on. Clearly it was a trick question so I said, perhaps its not a good idea.

6:30pm Locker room is closed and Jerome Williams has just come back from Chapel (prayer) with Jeremy Lin. He’s crazy tall!

JYD speaks about what Jeremy Lin has added to the NBA and creating interest in the sport everywhere else.

6:48pm – Crowd is starting to fill out and I do my opening line for the clip on the court! “I’m Sarah from CCYAA and Welcome to the Jeremy Lin Show!”

Half-time : I speak to these fans who are cheering for Toronto Raptors and Jeremy Lin, but not the Knicks. I didn’t know you could do that. But I guess it makes sense. So you’d hear boos and cheers in a very confusing way.

Raptors were leading for most of the game, even up to 15 points at one time, but the last minute was the real finisher. I was downstairs with most of the Chinese media from Fairchild, Omni, sitting there thinking OMG OMG OMG OMG what the hell just happened? The veteran sports personalities were just thinking, please don’t go to overtime.

Then he did it! Jeremy Lin finished the game. Linsanity continues… on to the next one! For a girl that isn’t a huge follower of the sport, knowing that I would have to interview Lin meant I had to read up tons about him and the team and everything else so I don’t sound like a fool. I think NBA fans would have had a wet dream seeing what I saw so I’m not taking this experience for granted. What an eventful day – it was an awesome Valentines and I don’t know how I’ll top this one next year!