I think we need a comment from Celeste Headlee as to why she didn't do her job a little better and challenge Rhoden on some of the points raised by listeners below. One of the few times I have listened to NYC and yelled at the radio. Com'on girl, you dropped the ball big time!

Geez, Rhoden complains *way* too much and nitpicks to explain how blacks aren't "deified." Tiger Woods? Yes, but he "self-identifies" as Asian as well as black (most people I know simply consider Woods black). Michael Jordan (the most praised athlete I've seen in my life [and totally deserving of it])? Well, he was expected to be great from his college career, says Rhoden.

Rhoden's comments smack of sour-grapes whining. Jeremy Lin's appeal is a combination of things-- Harvard, being Asian American, and yes, being a small player (by NBA standards). As another commenter said, there may be a *racial* component to Lin's appeal (maybe partly because there had never been an Asian American player in the NBA before), but that doesn't mean it is "racist."

Rhoden complains about Victor Cruz not getting as much love, but he forgets one huge difference: Cruz was a surprising standout player on a good team; Lin came out of nowhere and helped elevate a team that was 7 games below .500.

An amazing player who helps lift a losing team is always going to get more attention than a similarly talented player on a team that's already winning.

Also, the Williams sisters are not "beloved" partly because of Serena's nasty outbursts, and their father's past history of bizarre behavior/comments.

I found Mr. Rhoden's whining so irritating this morning I got a new idea for your show: The Sour Grapes Segment. While most everyone familiar with the Lin story is happy for the underdog who made well, Mr. Rhoden simply sounds jealous. Mr. Rhoden shows he a long time grudge holder when he said Tiger Woods is not an example of a black golfer because he called himself "Cablanasian." Finally, when he listed all the items that made up a "hero" (such as modesty) as if they were biased against blacks, Mr Rhoden seems like he has lost all sense of balance. What a shame someone like Mr Rhoden wants to rain on this feel good story. The New York Times (of which I am a reader) should be embarrassed. What is Mr. Rhoden's motivation? Pure jealousy.

William Rhoden weak and unfounded comments on the NBA extend to the WTA. The Williams sisters are hardly respectable. Serena wasted her legacy with her repeated offensive, and overly aggressive conduct and lack of sportsmanship. Although much more forgivable Venus need not appear on court in her controversially inappropriate attire and "no shows"right before court time. Great physical gifts and the ability to fight through obstacles--if the sisters stayed focused on professionalism they would be alongside in tennis history with Arthur Ashe and Athena Gibson.

*disappointed

I was dissapointed on the exchange between the moderator and Rhoden this morning. The key questions / points that should have been made between two professional journalists:
1) Can Rhoden list 5 times that a similar situation has occurred with a black player who was not recognized? Not generalities - specifics. That would make his arguement more compelling than generalties.
2) Lin has been the subject of anti-Asian racism as he has disclosed because he is different than the "typical" basketball player.
3) The story is compelling because he is not your stereotypical basketball player. This does not mean racism. Just as the Tiger Woods story is compelling because he is not your stereotypical golfer. And they both excelled beyond normal. Also the story is compelling because Lin has caused the Knicks to excel when they haven't for longer than most people can remember. We are grasping at anything we can feel good about, as we did when Carmello came last year.
4) the Lin story appeals to people (Asians) who normally do not have players they can identify with. I think if a Jewish guy made it big on the Brazil soccer team, a few Jews around the world might take notice. That doesn't mean the world is racist against South American Soccer players.
5) A similar situation did not happen with Cruz, because a) he was only part of the reason the Giants were doing well, b) the story ended quickly because the season was over and they only play a few games compared to basketball, c) Cruz is a more "typical" player. I dont think I am being racist by that last comment, because it is true based on my observations strictly of the numbers.

I dont think thats its RACISM, but I do agree that it is RACIAL. It is obvious to see that African Americans are a huge chunk of Football, and Basketball, so the usual connotation is that Blacks are somewhat 'advantaged' in sports versus other races. Ive seen it firsthand myself, being African American People who dont knoe me automatically assume Im great in basketball and football. Im assuming because of my race and build. I have played neither competitive-wise. And my preference of sport is actually tennis. Im sure if an African American were to take over tennis, break records, etc, he'd be in the Limelight as well, just as Lin, just as Arthur Ashe. Racial connotations, preferences, stereotypes are STILL a driving factor in the United States. Im sure Yao Ming can sympathize with this. I think that its great for any race, sex, or even an animal to excel in what they do. The overall consensus of the United States is that particular races fit particular things, and when someone breaks the mold, its an eye opener and an eyebrow raiser.

What was true for Jackie Robinson is true for Jeremy Lin. If some choose to obsess over race and sow jealously, suspicion and victimization that is their problem and perhaps they should examine their own priorities in judging success.

Marketing, marketing, marketing, that is all that it is.

As a professional sport reporter is more surely William Rhoden recognizes the extent to which marketing is used to create an athletes reputation. Some of the marketing is more effective. Some is unjustified. Some is

Certainly the marketing behind the Jeremy Lin phenomena is more effective than that of other professionals.

Never commented on a topic before but I had to say something on this one. First of all I am black, second. this guy is paranoid and maybe even deluded. There is no racism in the celebration of Lin in any way. It is factually unusaul for an asian person to dominate in the NBA which adds a dramatic twist to his success and this guy is reaching in an attempt to find racism in this. Lin can be celebrated for any reason and thats fine I mean how many black firts have been celebrated in sports.

I had no idea who William Rhoden was until this morning but it pained me to hear him speak, he is no better than the goons at ESPN.com that posted that racist headline in my opinion. What an embarrassment to the NY Times this man is for confusing his own personal issues with some kind of racism. Can't we just enjoy one man's success for a moment. Black athletes are celebrated every day by people of all colors.

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah racism blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah racism blah blah blah racist blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah racism blah blah blah blah blah blah more racism blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah disparate impact on women and minorities.

ENOUGH ALREADY!!! NOT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT RACE!!!! I guess if you needed a reason to get your own 5 minutes of praise Bill Rhoden this is as good a way as any to get it.

ask William Rhoden about Derek Jeter and Jackie Robinson

First of all if Jeremy Lin was playing basketball in Phoenix or Golden State this would be NO STORY. YOU,...the NEW YORK Press started this issue and now YOU are complaining about it. ( As Pogo said,..'I have seen the enemy and it is us' )
Next your comparison to Tim Tebow. Tim Tebow did NOT come out of NOWHERE. He won the National Championship ( TWICE ) and also the Heisman Trophy. C'mon! Get your facts correct.
Finally,...find me a player or any race or nationality who is starting in the NBA and went to college WITHOUT a scholarship. Let's try that.
All the New York Press wants to do is build someone up and then enjoy ripping them down.
This is just terrible sports writing.

Wow... that's what comes to mind when I hear talk of racism when it comes to somebody other then an african american doing well in professional sports. I am a lakers fan, a greek born immigrant and a human being. I'm happy for all mankind when they do something extraordinary. I would assume a professional from a new york times would be the same way. let's just celebrate the moment for new york and their team. Let's not make it a racial issue.

My what a 'tangled web' Roden weaves