HBO releases trailer for ‘Linsanity’ documentary ’38 at the Garden’
By Bryan Ke
September 21, 2022
HBO has released the trailer for the upcoming “Linsanity” documentary “38 at the Garden,” which chronicles former NBA star Jeremy Lin’s spectacular run as he led the New York Knicks to a winning streak.
The documentary will look into how Lin, 34, took the NBA — and the world — by storm after scoring 38 points against the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Garden during the NBA 2011-12 season on Feb. 10, 2012, resulting in the start of the cultural phenomenon known as “Linsanity.”
The jaw-dropping performance went down in history as Lin outscored late Lakers star Kobe Bryant, where the latter scored 34 points— four points less than Lin. Lin became a beacon of inspiration for many, especially Asian Americans, as he accomplished the feat at a time when Asian American athletes were not taken seriously.
“Yesterday was my first time [watching the film] and I cried, and I don’t cry,” Lin said during a Q&A session after watching the “38 at the Garden” premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June.
“I spent my whole life trying to be good at basketball because on the court my skin color didn’t matter. But once I played basketball all that mattered was my skin color,” Lin continued.
The HBO documentary, written and directed by Frank Chi and produced by Golden State Entertainment, will feature interviews with many personalities, including journalist Lisa Ling, comedians Ronny Chieng, Hasan Minhaj and Jenny Yang, and former NBA star Tyson Chandler.
“This is who I am. This is what I’m capable of,” Lin says in the trailer, “all you guys need to do is watch and see.”
After the trailer was released, many social media users took to Twitter to share their reactions. Some Twitter users were critical of the documentary, pointing out that the “Linsanity” phenomenon only lasted 12 days.
“A documentary over a 12-day stint? This money could’ve been invested into a Curry documentary or how KD [Kevin Durant] is a failure or something else,” one Twitter user commented.
“You play good for a couple of weeks and you get a documentary? Is the bar really that low?” another wrote.
Despite the online criticism, others backed Lin’s documentary and briefly explained the phenomenon, with one Twitter user writing, “Anybody hating on this were probably too young for when Linsanity happened OR it has some racial intent because he’s Asian.”
“A huge reason for this doc existing is cuz of the downplaying of him and Asian Americans within the sport and sporting world in general,” another Twitter user wrote. “Everyone hating on it existing is basically proving why it needs to exist. Ppl have no idea what it meant to Asian/Asian Americans like myself.”
“Jeremy Lin inspired me so much as a kid man, i saw a bunch of games on tv with my dad & we were so excited to see a normal Asian dude BALLING on the court,” one Twitter user shared. “The cultural impact this run had was amazing for the asian basketball community, so much hope for a new generation.”
“38 at the Garden” will premiere on HBO on Oct. 11 and will also be available for streaming on HBO Max.
Featured Image via HBO
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