BASKETBALL/Jeremy Lin finds peace in NBA All-Star weekend after years of unease

Taipei, Feb. 20 (CNA) Former NBA player Jeremy Lin (林書豪) said he has been able to embrace his journey -- and its ending -- in the league through the NBA All-Star weekend after years of confusion over what that means.

"After this All-Star weekend, I felt a sense of peace and gratitude I couldn't find in prior years," he wrote in English in an Instagram post on Thursday, reflecting how his mindset has changed over the past few weeks.

The 36-year-old veteran, who currently plays for Taiwan's pro franchise New Taipei Kings, admitted that for a long time, he struggled to process his time in the NBA.

"For a while after 2019, I lacked closure with my NBA career. When I thought about it, I couldn't appreciate all that I had accomplished because I was still confused about how and why things ended."

According to Lin, he had not stepped into an NBA arena since June 14, 2019, when the Toronto Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of the Finals, making him the first Asian American to win an NBA title.

That final game took place at Oracle Arena, the home court of the Warriors based in the Bay Area, which the son of two Taiwanese parents had called home and where he started pursuing his basketball dream.

On Valentine's Day, Lin joined a trio of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers -- Tim Hardaway Sr., Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond --as honorary coaches at Oracle Arena. His team included seven prospects waiting for their own Cinderella stories.

Among them was Mac McClung, a 26-year-old two-time NBA Dunk Contest champion who entered the weekend aiming for the first-ever three-peat in NBA history.

"I think Jeremy Lin has an incredible story and I have an incredible amount of respect for him. We all watched his story. It was amazing ... [For] guys like us, being prepared is everyday. Your shot might come whenever. Just being ready for it. Yeah, I'm honored to be around him," said McClung.

Lin said he saw reflections of himself in the young talents on his team and recognized his own achievements, including scoring the most points ever in NBA history in a player's first four starts, a stretch known as "Linsanity."

"Watching the All-Star festivities, I felt amazement at the skill, athleticism, and talent of all the athletes."

Lin's team did not stage another magical run, being knocked out after losing their second game, but McClung successfully secured his third consecutive dunk title the next day.

Lin acknowledged that he will never be the same player he once was, but feels "perfectly ok" and can now enjoy the game "without a sense of confusion, bitterness, or jealousy."

Describing his return this time as more of a "hello again" than a "goodbye," Lin concluded, "Maybe I'm late to the party, but at least I'm here now, full of gratitude and truly enjoying all that the game of basketball has given me."