In his first season with the Charlotte Hornets, Jeremy Lin has performed well as a reserve guard, averaging 12.3 points and 3.2 assists per game. But more than finding a regular role in Charlotte and contributing meaningful minutes to a team on the fringes of the Eastern Conference playoff race, the story with Lin this season has been his hair.
Earlier in the season, the sixth-year guard sported a hairstyle suited for a character in a Japanese anime cartoon, with his black locks spiked nearly a foot high. Lin either had a good endorsement deal going with a hair gel product or was spending a sizable portion of his salary on keeping that hair in place. The mohawk, if that’s what you’d even call that style, attracted immediate attention and was often the first — and maybe only — thing mentioned by NBA announcers calling Hornets games.
That compelled NBA fan and writer David Lee to compile the various quips that broadcasters have made about Lin’s hair this season while calling Hornets games. Check out the video.
“The Porcupine Kid” was a personal favorite among the nicknames and observations in that compilation.
As you can see during those three-and-a-half minutes, Lin’s hairstyle has changed through the first four months of the season. As of December, he favored a more subdued look, putting his hair into a ponytail. That progressed into a cleaner cut which is probably favored by Lin’s parents and fans (as well as NBA players who no longer have to worry about getting a faceful of gel while defending him), though it gives broadcasters less to joke about.
You can also follow Lin’s hair adventures (particularly his wake-up bedhead) on his Instagram account.
At this point, Lin looks like he’s ready for a school picture. Hey, even Bart Simpson and Calvin had to tame their wild manes when the time came for a good picture to show everyone.
With at least two-and-a-half months remaining in the Hornets’ season, Lin has time to do more things with his hair and attract more attention. If Charlotte makes the playoffs, that could provide even more opportunity to showcase Lin’s style. There are probably better, more fun reasons to tune in to NBA TV or NBA League Pass. But Lin’s evolving hairdos could certainly be worth checking in on from time to time.
[Deadspin]
