Perhaps one of our contributors said it best on Twitter.
Please note that this article was not planned, but it had to be written after tonight's incredible ending between the Knicks and the Raptors. However, the content will not be purely about Jeremy Lin, as something else is happening that has been just as fun to watch. Let me begin by saying that I am fully a part of the stampede to get a spot on the Lin band-wagon (at this point, you'l get into the white house faster), how often can we get the chance to cheer for a guy who comes absolutely out of nowhere and who had been abandoned by two teams already. I'll tell you: not often. The Knicks are 6-0 since he started getting play-time, with the teams two stars, Carmelo and Amar'e, missing 5 of those games (and Melo' all 6). During that stretch Lin has managed to best another up-and-coming PG (Rubio), out-duel Kobe Bryant, and sink a game winning three with less then a second to go in a game.
But none of those accomplishments compare to his best one of all: making the Knicks a real team. Before Lin's arrival, this team was abysmal to watch (whether that was because they lacked a true point-guard or because Amar'e and Melo' cannot coexist remains to be seen), they played slow, they played selfish, and they played a very ugly brand of basketball. So how exactly did Lin change all of this? Probably through a combination of the D'antoni system, which we know thrives with smart point-guards, and the Knicks role-players realizing that they would now be rewarded for their dirty work. The beauty of a good point-guard is that he is able to keep every player happy. Whether its through the occasional lob to Chandler, a kick-out to Fields, or feeding Shumpert on the break, it makes a difference. Suddenly, Chandler is crashing the boards and playing more ferocious defense, Landry Fields starts making smarter decisions, and Shumpert decides to lock-down the opponents best player (the job he did on Calderon tonight was awe-inspiring). With all due respect to Melo', who is a great player, he simply can't make everyone else happy like Jeremy Lin can. He simply lacks that gene that all great passers have, and he is much better when he is allowed to focus on what he excels at (scoring). Will Melo' struggle playing with Lin? Probably not, because I firmly believe that Lin will be able to keep both the stars and the role-players involved enough to keep the Knicks playing at a high (and beautiful to watch) level.
In this crazy NBA season we were waiting for that random guy to explode on to the scene and surprise everyone (it happens every year), and make no mistake that Lin is that guy. What we were not waiting for, was that same random guy to potentially swing the East. I say potentially because we have to see how the Knicks will play when everyone is healthy. But a team with two stars, great defenders who are embracing their roles and are offering something offensively (Chandler, Fields, Shumpert), a true play maker (the guy this article is about), and veteran locker-room leadership (Bibby, don't laugh) is a contender by any measure. I have not even mentioned the ultimate wild-cards: Baron Davis and the return of Wilson Chandler and JR Smith from China. With a little bit of luck in the form of a signing, and the 'good' version of Baron Davis in addition to the team the Knicks now have, I mean, anything is possible right? Not only has Jeremy Lin become the star of the season, he has also brought hope to the Mecca of basketball. That might be his greatest accomplishment when it is all said and done.
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