11:15 am May. 1, 20123
In light of the 2-0 deficit facing the New York Knicks in their series with the Miami Heat, and Amar'e Stoudemire's likely absence, Knicks may be forgiven for taking what pleasure they can in the possible return of Jeremy Lin.
It was only a couple of months ago that the whole Linsanity thing happened, when Lin came off the end of the New York bench and quickly transitioned into an international icon. It was a big moment not just in this odd, truncated N.B.A. season, but in Knicks history.
Although there probably won't be a championship involved in the story of this season, Lin's little chapter will perhaps resonate years from now in the same way as that famous moment back in May 1970, when Willis Reed emerged from the New York locker room on a badly injured leg to make a surprise start in Game 7 of the N.B.A. finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Reed's appearance surprised even his teammates, and he famously scored the first two baskets of the game for New York, as the Knicks won their first-ever N.B.A. title, 113-99, over a team featuring the Big Three of its time: Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West.
Now just imagine Jeremy Lin, emerging from the New York locker room on Thursday night, ideally with no warning, to inspire the Knicks to a victory over Miami before a delirious Garden crowd.
Obviously, that's a fantasy. And anyway, the Knicks would need Lin to be more than Willis Reed: He'd need to be something more like Reed and Walt Frazier, wrapped into a single, recently injured package.
In that famous Game 7, Reed never scored another point. He didn't have to. Frazier had probably the greatest Game 7 performance of any N.B.A. player ever, with 36 points on 12-for-17 shooting, a perfect 12-for-12 from the foul line, 19 assists and seven rebounds.
Nor was his production isolated: Dick Barnett scored 21 points, Dave DeBusschere added 18 points and Bill Bradley netted 17 points.
But if Lin were to return for Game 3 or 4, he'd be joining a Knicks team with a point guard in Baron Davis fighting against a ton of injuries. The team's best shooting guard, Iman Shumpert, is out for the season with a knee injury. The team's starting power forward, Amar'e Stoudemire, is out indefinitely after punching a fire extinguisher and lacerating his hand.
It would be up to Lin, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler. Really, just adding Steve Novak and J.R. Smith to that lineup would give New York its only five productive players right now. And even they managed to beat Miami, they'd have to do it three more times to advance.
Not a likely scenario. But it sure would be fun to see those players back together on the court one more time this season to give it a try.
Lin, DO NOT buy in this stupid idea, unless you are 200% healthy. You have a bright future ahead of you, don't sacrifice yourslf and risk getting injured (like Rose). I know you are a selfless person, who only wants Knicks to win, but it will be difficult for Knicks to advance beyond 1st round, anyway.
Don't rush back, if you have the slightest discomfort on your knee.
If you rush back and Knicks does win, you may not be getting the credit, and if Knicks loses, you will be the scapegoat. This is how cruel the media and those jealous ppl will be treating you. Look how they criticized Amare after his long rest, no wonder he would get mad and punch the glass enclosure of a fire extinguisher.
Don't rush, and don't worry, your true fans will always support you, we are not going anywhere.
I totally agree with HY Linfan. Just look at Brandon Roy couple years ago when he return to the playoff after the knee surgery. There is no doubt that Roy did inspire the Blazers at that time but what he got was a career ending result. It's not worth it!
EW
I'm with HY Linfan. The Heat plays a very physical game. Lin has been out of competition for a month. To expect him carry the team is just unrealistic and the possibility of reinjury is high. He also doesn't have a contract for next season. If he reinjures himself, he's on his own. The Knicks are highly unlike to get past the Heat anyway. It's not worth the risk. If it were the 7th game of the NBA final, it would have been different.
Howard, I have enjoyed your writeups before but this is a grossly unfair request for a young player who just starts his career.