Most people would have given up and thought they simply weren’t destined for the NBA.
Perhaps after receiving no scholarship offers out of high school.
Or perhaps after being undrafted out of college.
Or perhaps after being cut by 2 NBA teams (including their hometown) and being banished to the development league.
Instead of giving up, Jeremy Lin kept working.
And when opportunity came, he seized it by leading his struggling team to back-to-back victories. An unknown player on the bench just days before, he had the whole arena chanting “MVP” by the end of each night. Now it looks like he’ll be the starting point guard for one of the most high-profile and high potential teams in the NBA.
The best part? The authentic and down-to-earth reactions Jeremy had for a journalist interviewing him after his first career night.
There’s a Chinese saying that’s perfect to describe Jeremy’s way of doing things — 低调做人, 高调做事 (dī diào zuò rén, gāo diào zuò shì) — talk small but do big things. It means being low key in how you conduct yourself, and being “big time” in how you do things. It means no hype but all game.
Here’s a breakdown of the characters in 低调做人, 高调做事(dī diào zuò rén, gāo diào zuò shì):
低调 (dī diào): low profile or low key (低 – dī – low; 调 - diào – tone)
做人(zuò rén): how you conduct yourself or behave (做 – zuò – to do; 人 - rén – person or people)
高调 (gāo diào): literally means “high pitch” or “high-key,” and is generally used for boastful words or big talk, but here it’s specially used to talk about how you do things (高 – gāo – tall; 调 – diào – tone)
做事 (zuò shì): how you handle affairs / matters (做 – zuò – do; 事 – shì – matters)
Here are other examples of how that saying is used.
Usage 1): As a Verb.
Example 1 A)
“wéi rén bù kě tài guò xiāo zhāng, gāo diào zuò shì dī diào zuò rén“
“You can’t be too arrogant — be big time in how you do things, but be low key in how you conduct yourself“
Example 1 B)
“低调了许多的詹姆斯默默无闻的在场上贡献着场均30+的表现，真可谓低调做人高调做事 “
“dī diào le xǔ duō de zhān mǔ sī mò mò wú wén de zài chǎng shàng gòng xiàn zhe chǎng jūn 30+ de biǎo xiàn, zhēn kě wèi dī diào zuò rén gāo diào zuò shì“
“A much quieter Lebron James is contributing 30+ points per game — you can say he’s really letting his game do the talking“
Usage 2): 低调做人, 高调做事 + 的 + Noun.
Example 2 A)
“jiā pǐn yì zhí bǐng chéng gāo diào zuò shì, dī diào zuò rén de yuán zé “
“Excellent products always follow the principle of being low on hype but delivering big time“
Are you a Knick fan? Do you know other idioms or sayings that Jeremy would approve of?
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Thank you for sharing. He is very lucky and talented. The new star of Taiwan now:)
It is great that you update very often, nice site!!!!
Hi Shu,
Yes he’s a joy to watch! It’s great to see a person like him breaking out like he has isn’t it? Thanks for your comment!
Hey Alan,
Such a timely post. Jeremy definitely personifies 低调做人，高调做事. Which also partly explains his immense popularity.
There are surely millions of people who embody this trait but are not in a place where the limelight shines on them, hence they seem to be living out the recognition they deserve through Jeremy.
A truly fine example of class, hardwork and humility.
Thanks for the share.
Yes, I think his story transcends basketball and sports. I think entrepreneurs and underdogs everywhere can relate to him.
Thanks for the comment Allan!
Unfortunately the Knicks will be without him when they face the Heat, most likely.
But great example here. Was just wondering the other day how didiao was supposed to be used.
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