Carmelo Anthony Injury: Steve Novak Is Vital to Knicks' Success with Melo out

Lost in the shuffle of Jeremy Lin's rise to prominence on the national stage and the New York Knicks' 3-0 mark since Lin assumed the starting point guard role, has been the play of the guys around Lin.

Steve Novak in particular.

Novak has been nothing short of outstanding during the past two games without Carmelo Anthony in the Knicks' lineup. He's been so good that Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni needs give Novak some more minutes while Anthony remains out.

Not only that, but D'Antoni must make Novak a part of the regular rotation once Anthony is healthy.

It's a very simple concept actually. The Knicks struggle mightily shooting the ball from behind the arc and Novak doesn't. New York currently ranks 25th in the NBA in long-distance shooting at barely over 30 percent.

With a real point guard in Lin that specializes in penetrating and kicking the ball out to open shooters, suddenly Novak has become a weapon.

With the way the Knicks have moved the ball as a team during their last three games, Novak has become a bigger weapon than he could be given credit for.

In the past two Knicks wins, Novak has combined for a 10 for 17 performance from three-point range. That's just as big for the Knicks as what Lin has accomplished so far.

With Lin, Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler on the floor (once they are all healthy), Novak could get a ton of wide open looks if the ball keeps moving in the fashion that it has been.

Of course, Novak in the rotation could mean fewer minutes for other guys, but the Knicks need a shooter and they have one that's been buried on the bench all season.

It's something D'Antoni should really consider. I'm not suggesting playing Novak 30 minutes a night, but they need to get him on the floor, especially when they need a big shot. The other guys have proven that they can't knock it down consistently, so put the guy who can on the floor.

Taking advantage of opportunities is a big part of playing in the NBA.

Novak may have shot himself into the Knicks' rotation.