Every NBA team’s worst Thanksgiving road trip companion

Brooklyn Nets: Jeremy Lin

This is not because he wouldn’t be interesting in other circumstances. He likes video games, and so do I. He went to Harvard, and so did I when I’m lying to impress people. The Linsanity month was one of the most fun times I’ve had as a basketball fan. Happy, fun topics all over the place. I could probably even bring up Pokemon GO and turn it into a 15-minute exchange full of smiles and laughs.

We wouldn’t have to keep it exclusively light, though. He’d have to have so many stories about taking advantage of a tiny opportunity, or what it was like overcoming perception, or just the idea of perseverance in general. I bet I’d learn, but not feel like I’m being talked at rather than talked to.

It’s just a general impression, really, but I can’t think of a player in the NBA I would feel more comfortable talking to. I base this on next to nothing other than interviews and social media moments, but that’s about all there is to anyone.

That was before the injury. By “the injury” I mean the most recent one. The one where he sat on the floor, grabbing his leg saying “I’m done.” The Hayward injury was more gruesome, but Lin’s injury affected me more. Until I see him on the court again, I won’t be affected by anything else.

I just feel bad. Being in a car with him would feel bad. It would just be hours of silence before I offer a weak, “I’m sorry.”

And then nothing else would happen.

That sounds awful. No thanks.