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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.
Brian Savin
7/18/2012 08:59:54 am
GV's description of Anthony's attitude reminds me of the first time I ever read that line about a basketball player along those lines. The sportswriter, who I thought was from the Times (GV?), wrote about a particularly spectacular Allen Iverson performance while at Georgetown, saying something like this: Allen Iverson is the master of the give and go (as in, "Give me the ball and go away!")....
George Vecsey
7/18/2012 09:13:47 am
Brian, thanks, but I'm not that funny. It probably was my brother Pete.
Ed Martin
7/19/2012 04:13:17 am
I'm pondering the Jeremy Lin, phenomena, not just his play, but the sense of loss I feel and suspect you (discounting you have a professional "objectivity") and many others do. I think Lin touched on "The Hero With A thousand Faces" story. His rise from undrafted, twice cut, to exemplar, plus his sterling characteristics, Ivy League intelligence, team play, spectacular game-saving performances on a essentially lack-luster team without it's two "best" players. It was indeed the stuff of myths--and truths.
Brian Savin
7/19/2012 04:22:14 am
I agree with you, Ed. Well said. It was real sports, why we watch. As Clyde might say, now we're painfully moanin' N groanin' because of that Dolan.
George Vecsey
7/19/2012 04:42:08 am
I agree with both of you. We all love players from nowhere. Think about the improbable players NYC has taken to heart -- Wingo back in the day, John Starks in the 90's....
Charles from Absecon
7/20/2012 08:45:44 pm
Regarding Lin's departure from the Knicks and the continued presence of Anthony, who already cost the Knicks another talented and refreshing player (Gallinari) who was a favorite of mine, I have to borrow from Bill Murray:
George Vecsey
7/21/2012 04:50:20 am
Charles, you took the words right out....or something. I meant to make that point, that Anthony was a recidivist team-wrecker. They had a nice little team going two years ago, and Dolan wrecked it, agaisnt Donnie Walsh's advise. Now Anthony had the authority to undermine a coach and a point guard. On Dolan's watch. GV 8/20/2012 10:46:35 pm
I agree with you, Ed. Well said. It was real sports, why we watch. As Clyde might say, now we're painfully moanin' N groanin' because of that Dolan. Comments are closed.
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