New York Knicks: Jeremy Lin Faces His Toughest Test in Carmelo Anthony

Jeremy Lin has literally taken New York by storm overnight and is currently the subject matter of league-wide speculation, as everyone seems to be asking the same question: Is this kid for real?

While analysts and basketball pundits alike attempt to assess what Lin has accomplished and what's to come, the truth is no one holds impressive enough credentials to even broach that subject. Not yet, anyway.

There are two sides of the spectrum when it comes to Lin; there are those who believe he is destined for greatness, and those who predict that he will regress to a lesser role.

Which side has the edge? Again, as of right now, neither one.

For those who have Lin pegged as the Knicks' newest savior, cautious optimism is an avenue worth exploring. And for those who aren't buying into Linsanity even slightly, get a hold of recent footage that shows Lin navigating through traffic with a Rajon Rondo-esque flair.

No one can deny the spark that Lin has provided for New York. The team looks rejuvenated on both ends of the floor. With that being said, strings tend to be attached to such unexpected claims to fame.

When will we know for sure? Contrary to popular belief, it will not take the entire season, nor will an answer be obtained after upcoming battles against Kobe Bryant and Ricky Rubio. Lin's abilities and rise to prominence will not truly be tested until the return of Carmelo Anthony. 

Lin's success has come without extended playing time alongside Anthony, who historically stands against everything the young point guard represents.

For his entire career, Anthony has been unable to find the medium between attacking and distributing. Even when playing alongside names like Chauncey Billups and Allen Iverson, the small forward has been a poster boy for isolation, not ball movement.

Will it be different opposite Lin? That's the $800,000 question, or $65 million one, depending on how you look at it.

Lin has not seen extended time with Amar'e Stoudemire either, but his love for the pick-and-roll is only exceeded by the power forward's. Much like Tyson Chandler, Stoudemire's numbers will skyrocket when running with the second-year point man.

Anthony, though? He's a different story.

If an experienced and respected veteran like Billups cannot inspire Anthony to make quicker and more team-oriented decisions, will an undrafted sophomore fare any better? And if he doesn't, who will shoulder the burden of responsibility?

Anthony is a superstar, one who the Knicks mortgaged their future on, but if Lin and the rest of the team continue to excel in his absence, only to come crashing down upon his return, how does New York handle it?

Do the Knicks side with a proven, yet movement-killing superstar, or do they take a chance on an unproven Cinderella story?

These incessant questions are bound to become a nuisance, but they are a reality for the Knicks. If Lin's selfless tactics are influential enough to reach Anthony, then this kid is, without further question, for real.

Should Lin and Anthony prove to be an unfavorable pairing, though, then once again New York's honeymoon is over. Like it or not, at that juncture a decision will have to be made on where to place the blame.

If we're truly honest, it will be a hell of a lot easier for the Knicks to attribute any failures to a player who, until recently, was operating under a non-guaranteed contract than it would be for them to admit they made a $65 million mistake.

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