Jeremy Lin’s time with the Knicks ended when Carmelo Anthony's ankle healed late last season. The Knicks’ fast break and open-man passes ended, and the ball gravitated to Anthony, and Lin’s usefulness reached a grinding halt.
Anthony demonstrated scorn for the rookie point guard, his body language effectively saying, “Just get me the ball, Junior, and get out of my way.”
Lin would have been wise to make a personal fast break at half the price, so he could develop his skills, but the $25.1-million offer for three years from Houston was a no-brainer, for all concerned.
Now Lin will have a chance to develop, but the real pressure is on the Knicks’ ownership, which put so much faith in Anthony’s self-involved game. He has never shown he can carry a team in the playoffs, when defenses are ratcheted up. He does not have the imagination or discipline for that level of ball.
One thing we can all expect: Jeremy Lin will never express those thoughts. He’s too smart and too polite to go over the end of his run with the Knicks. He gets to start over in Houston. The Knicks start over with new point guards trying to deliver the ball to Anthony. The Garden will be watching.
Anthony demonstrated scorn for the rookie point guard, his body language effectively saying, “Just get me the ball, Junior, and get out of my way.”
Lin would have been wise to make a personal fast break at half the price, so he could develop his skills, but the $25.1-million offer for three years from Houston was a no-brainer, for all concerned.
Now Lin will have a chance to develop, but the real pressure is on the Knicks’ ownership, which put so much faith in Anthony’s self-involved game. He has never shown he can carry a team in the playoffs, when defenses are ratcheted up. He does not have the imagination or discipline for that level of ball.
One thing we can all expect: Jeremy Lin will never express those thoughts. He’s too smart and too polite to go over the end of his run with the Knicks. He gets to start over in Houston. The Knicks start over with new point guards trying to deliver the ball to Anthony. The Garden will be watching.
