Talk:Jeremy Lin/FAQ
 | Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the corresponding page Jeremy Lin. They address concerns, questions, and misconceptions which have repeatedly arisen on the talk page. Please update this material when needed. |
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Ethnicity and nationality
Q1: Why is Lin the first Chinese player in the NBA when there was Yao Ming and other Chinese before him?
A1: Lin was born in America, and has American nationality, while Yao Ming does not. He is the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the league.[1]
Q2: Sources say Lin is Taiwanese-American. Why is it mentioned he is of Chinese descent?
A2: Regardless of whether Taiwan is considered part of China, Lin is of Chinese descent since his maternal grandmother is originally from Zhejiang, China.[2]. No precedence is given to his descent based upon his parents being from Taiwan. He is still of Chinese descent in addition to being of Taiwanese descent. Sources refer to Lin being of Chinese descent.[3][4][5][6] Lin himself has said, "You can call me a Taiwanese basketball player, a Chinese basketball player or just a basketball player."[7]
Q3: Taiwan is part of China. Why is Taiwanese mentioned when he is really Chinese?
A3: Both of Lin's parents grew up in Taiwan before emigrating to the United States, and Lin's ancestors have been in Taiwan since the 18th Century.[8] The Wikipedia article only says Lin is an American of "Taiwanese descent", in reference to the origin of his ancestors; this does not imply nationality and is independent of the political status of Taiwan. Lin himself has said, "You can call me a Taiwanese basketball player, a Chinese basketball player or just a basketball player."[9]
Q4: Why is "or" used instead of "and" in "Lin is ... the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the league."
A4: There had never been an American NBA player before of Chinese descent. There had also never been an American of Taiwanese descent. Using "and" is more restrictive. It would imply that there was previously a Chinese-American that wasn't of Taiwanese descent in the NBA, or a Taiwanese-American that wasn't of Chinese descent. Neither of which had occurred. Using "or" is less restrictive, and more encompassing of all conditions of Lin's milestone.[10][11]