Jeremy Lin: Why Lin Makes New York Knicks Contenders in East

Jeremy Lin's historic rise to stardom has led the New York Knicks to much needed back to back victories. Not only does Lin have the team on a two-game winning streak, he has given the Knicks the spark they need to be considered a contender in the East once again.

Lin's slashing, lane-driving point guard play is exactly what Mike D'Antoni was hoping he would get from Baron Davis once he returned from his plague of injuries. Much to the coach's surprise, Lin has provided a remedy to the once stagnant, isolation offense.

The 23-year-old, who went undrafted out of Harvard in 2010, has risen to stardom as the floor general that the Knicks lacked over the first 23 games of the season. Fans have been clamoring to acquire Steve Nash, but the Knicks seem to have found their own Nash in Lin.

While there's always a chance that Lin is just a flash in the pan, that's highly unlikely. He was named Northern California Division II Player of the Year his senior season and led his team to the CIF Division II state title.  

He knows how to run the pick-and-roll (which is more than can be said for former starter Toney Douglas), plays surprisingly tenacious defense and his teammates are feeding off of his energy.

Lin had eight dimes against the Utah Jazz, many of which came on the pick-and-roll (his teammates also missed four open layups on passes from him). It's the most unstoppable play in basketball when run correctly and can cover up for a team's offensive shortcomings (see Nash and STAT in Phoenix).

The best part is, the Knicks won't have many shortcomings if Lin continues his stellar play.

Carmelo Anthony is out for 1-2 weeks with a groin issue. That would normally seem like a cause for concern but it could actually be beneficial.

Once Amar'e Stoudemire returns from mourning the death of his brother, Lin and Stoudemire will have some time to work on the little man, big man offense (pick-and-roll) without having to worry about Melo getting his shots.

If an offense is stagnant, the opposition's low-post defender never has to leave the paint. Every team in the East ahead of the Knicks in the standings has at least one above-average defensive big man. 

Lin constantly keeps the offense flowing, forcing an extra defender to come help, which will open up more room for Stoudemire down low. His uncanny ability to drive to the hoop, seek contact, then hang and hit gives his team a chance against superior low-post defenders such as Dwight Howard and Joakim Noah. 

The Knicks are ranked 23rd in the league in assists per game at 19. If you compare that to the Bulls, Celtics, 76ers and Hawks (all above 22 a game), you can see why those four teams are ahead of the Knicks in the East. Lin averaged 7.5 assists his last two games, dwarfing the 4.2 per game by Melo who leads the team. A passing offense is a happy offense.   

Lin's coming out party gives Iman Shumpert the chance to play a more traditional role at shooting guard, most likely splitting time with Landry Fields. The experiment of Shumpert at point guard didn't turn out all that bad but didn't turn out too well either. Shumps is indecisive in his youth and could learn a thing or two from Lin, especially fundamentally.

Having Lin and Shumpert on the court at the same time counters the opposing offense with a formidable defensive backcourt. Lin has two steals in both games he has gotten starter's minutes, while Shumpert is averaging two swipes a contest. With two sets of quick hands at the top of the key, Tyson Chandler won't have to leave the paint as much as he has been lately.

Throw in the 6'7" Fields for good measure and you can't help but marvel at the possibilities. 

Coach D'Antoni isn't afraid to throw a blossoming young player into the starting lineup (i.e Shumpert), so Lin will be getting substantial minutes in the near future. Him being on the court keeps grandpa Bibby on the bench which is always a good sign for Knick fans.

It's painfully obvious that the Knicks have been lacking a leader on the court. Melo keeps quiet and STAT does too. Chandler is the de-facto leader on the defensive end, but a team can't become cohesive without an offensive leader. The Knickerbockers seem to have found that guy in Lin.

The Palo Alto native doesn't only put the Knicks back on the Eastern Conference radar with what he does while he's on the court, he's also keeping the team from making a horrible trade. There have been rumors that the Knicks were looking to acquire Houston Rockets guard Jonny Flynn which would undoubtedly end in disaster. Flynn failed in Minnesota and he's currently in the process of failing in Houston.  

The main reason Jeremy Lin turns the Knicks back into contenders in the East is the momentum he has brought. A team's attitude off the court is just as important as when they are on the court. Lin's been a nice shot in the arm for the team and it's not hard to notice by the way they've played since his arrival.

There has been a certain mood in Madison Square Garden the last two game nights as the legend of Jeremy Lin has come to be. This is the most excited Knicks fans have been about a young player's first two games in recent memory and rightfully so.

If J-Lin can keep shocking the basketball world, teams in the East will have no choice but to see the New York Knicks as a threat for the remainder of the season.