Now, former University of Kentucky star and NBA player Rex Chapman made what many would call a racially insensitive joke about the New York Knicks pickup of J.R. Smith being a good move because he "played in China."
According to the New York Daily News, Chapman— who played 12 years in the NBA with the Hornets, Bullets, Heat and Suns—shared his thoughts via Twitter on the Knicks acquisition of Smith— who played in China during the NBA lockout— and joined the Knicks for the first time yesterday:
"I say J.R. is such a great pick-up 4 the #Lins only because he's been playing the past six-mo's in China. So easy now for him to recognize his PG."
Chapman made the comments after the Knicks 104-97 win over the defending NBA champs the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
Unless you have been living under a rock— or depended on the MSG Network for Knick games— Lin is Taiwanese-American and the first one to play in the NBA.
But Chapman didn't stop there, according to the Daily News.
User @Mars_Pow tweeted to Chapman, whose official account is @rexchapman, 'c'mon Rex, you know you are going to upset some people with that tweet.'
Chapman acted like it was no big deal.
He replied, "I'll let you know when I give a sh-t."
Lin's race has been publicly brought into the equation by a lot of people including boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and numerous reporters. Broadcasters are being spoofed on Saturday Night Life for using racially-insensitive material about the Knicks point guard.
Through it all, Lin— the national sensation— has been taking it all in stride.
"They've apologized and so from my end, I don't care anymore," said Lin about the ESPN gaffes. "You have to learn to forgive, and I don't even think that was intentional."
There are more important things for Lin to worry about than comments from a faded NBA player like Chapman.
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