I've never interpreted that quote from Linus as being about e.g. choosing between a linked list and a hash table. Instead, I interpret that as saying that your program should focus first and foremost on your data (implying a competent understanding of your problem domain, such that you can model your structs effectively) with functions that serve your data rather than the other way around. IOW, I think he's channeling this quote from Fred Brooks:

"Show me your flowcharts and conceal your tables, and I shall continue to be mystified. Show me your tables, and I won’t usually need your flowcharts; they’ll be obvious."