Jeremy Lin is asking the Chinese Basketball Association for more protection after several trips to the hospital after games and a semi-final loss.
Lin is the first Asian American to win an NBA title, and signed with the Beijing Ducks for the CBA last year. He addressed his concerns after losing to the Guangdong Southern Tigers in the CBA semi-finals last weekend.
On Chinese television, Lin spoke about the fierce competition and said some injuries might not happen by accident, reported Yahoo Sports.
Lin added it is unacceptable for people to intentionally hurt others or for referees to not protect all players on the court. The address was brief, and he ended it by saying he would leave the rest for others to discuss.
Lin later spoke about the loss to the Tigers later that day.
“I’m sorry I had too much emotion yesterday, and I didn’t know what to say,” Lin posted on Weibo, according SCMP. “Frankly speaking, such a defeat was heartbreaking. It really hurts.”
He announced he will have to take another hospital trip for his hearing issues, which can be added to his health issues with his knees, ankles, and neck.
Lin is one of the most fouled players in the CBA within the past couple of years, according to Yahoo Sports.
During one of his debut games, Lin was seen with bloody knees and bruised eyes.
SCMP reported that he recently posted a picture of a split lip after a game last month.
Beijing Ducks coach Xie Libin told reporters that Lin’s injuries were a “good thing.” He said by withstanding the intensity, Lin is able to show how strong he is.
But on Sunday Libin said the NBA champion paid the price after the Ducks were defeated by the Tigers.
“He has dropped the ball so many times in each game. You must know that he is also in his 30s and has played in the NBA for many years,” said Libin, according to SCMP. “In this series with the Guangdong team, his old injuries, his nose and eyes, including his ears– he couldn’t always hear after playing the game.”
After the defeat, Lin did not return to the Chinese capital with the rest of his team, according to SCMP. Lin was seen visiting a hospital in Qingdao through a picture posted and circulated by fans on social media.
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