Jeremy Lin news update: Talks about racial discrimination and getting 'the ultimate approval'

Basketball superstar Jeremy Lin has spoken about racial discrimination, saying that his view on the issue has changed through the years.

Being the only player in the NBA of Taiwanese or Chinese descent, the 6-foot-3 Charlotte Hornets point guard knows that whatever he does or says could be seen in the perspective of him being an Asian American.

"Pretty much anything that I do, someone will talk about race," Lin said during an interview with The Charlotte Observer.

He explained that before, he saw this as more of a burden and admitted to wishing that "people would think of me as just a basketball player." As he gets older, however, he sees this as more of an opportunity.

"I see how broken the whole view on Asians and Asian-Americans really is in America," he said. "And it's not just that ... it's not just the Asians. It is racism as a whole, and I feel like me being where I'm at – being the only Asian – gives me a different experience where I'm able to relate to minorities or people who are in certain situations. So definitely I want to embrace it; I feel like I have a unique platform and a chance to be able to say stuff, whether it's the Oscars or whatever it might be."

During the interview, Lin admitted to not reading anything about himself during play season. He did know about the video posted by NBA Fans in YouTube early this month that features a montage showing him on the receiving end of "unnecessary and excessive force by other players." The fans emphasized how the "referees either didn't make the calls or made incorrect calls." It also points out that Lin, being one of few players who is of full Asian descent, has a huge following in Asia.

"It's disheartening to see Lin's mistreatment by the NBA referees," the post says.

Lin, however, didn't make a big deal out of the referees' decisions, saying, "When the calls come, they come, and if they don't, then that's all right. I'm just gonna keep playing."

The 27-year-old basketball superstar is aware that he's a controversial subject, but he said it doesn't bother him anymore. He has learned to tune everyone out.

"I think the one thing that I can hold onto is I feel like I did things the way God would want me to do things," Lin said. "I try to hold myself and live with high character in a way that God would be proud."

He said he has made many mistakes and that he's not perfect, but he puts his effort in "playing and living in a way where if God looked at me, he'd say, 'Wow, I'm proud of you.' So that's the ultimate approval I could get is God's, versus a reporter's or a coach's."