“We are trying our best [to bring him back],” Chin said. “Lin obviously enjoyed playing in Taiwan. We also have similarities in terms of our willingness in giving back to the community. Our general manager Kenny Kao is working around the clock.”
Lin averaged 26.32 points, 8.89 assists and 8.47 rebounds for the Steelers in 19 games. He also earned the player-of-the-month award for three straight months from March, as well as taking the weekly award nine times – both league records.
“My mum doesn’t know LeBron James, but she knows Lin,” he said. “It’s not only the basketball clan, but a new [audience] also paying attention to the sport or the Steelers because of Lin.”
The acquisition of Lin helped to elevate the Steelers both on and off the court. The Kaohsiung outfit were bottom of the league with only two victories from their 19 games before Lin’s arrival, yet they finished with 17 wins from 40 games by the season’s end, and had a shot at the play-offs.
“Taiwan has been doing great [in terms of developing basketball] over the last few years – it’s among the best in Asia,” he said.
“It attracted fans not only paying attention to the win-loss record but also families. The atmosphere and the entertainment inside the arena are like watching a movie.
“Attending games is a habit in Taiwan, but not in Hong Kong yet.”
A narrow 92-89 loss against Formosa Taishin Dreamers last month saw Lin elbowed out of the game, and the Steelers, too, given the elbow from championship contention after their late push.
Chin admits his club will have to improve if he is to realise another dream he holds, of the Steelers featuring in the regional league.
“P. League is not just about Taiwan – we’ve got a team playing in the East Asia Super League,” he said. “With the proposed Super League expansion [to 16 teams in 2025], I hope the number of slots for Taiwanese teams will increase, but first we need to finish higher to take part.”
He warned, however, that the league will struggle to grow without the inclusion of mainland China’s clubs, which instead favour forming a new East Asia League.
“For a regional competition [to flourish], I believe the involvement of Chinese Basketball Association teams is vital,” Chin said.
“We are talking about the best league in Asia, and with 1.4 billion people, the market, the opportunities and the influence are huge for the sport.”
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