Mr. Lin has thus far managed to steer clear of controversy by giving a nod to both his Taiwan and Chinese heritage, but if history is any guide, Mr. Lin's politicization is unlikely to stop there.

WSJ: China, Taiwan Both Lay Claim to Jeremy Lin

It doesn't always feel like it, but Taiwan has had some luck in its turbulent history, both as a museum and as the fragments of a living tradition.

BBC: Here be dragons