Jeremy Lin: Star PG Will Push New York Knicks Into Playoff Spot

Just a few games ago the New York Knicks were 8-15, well outside the Eastern Conference playoff race and looking for answers. The Knicks have now won three consecutive games, however, and most of the credit belongs to once-anonymous point guard Jeremy Lin.

The Harvard product was little more than an afterthought earlier in the season as he did little more than occupy a spot on the end of the bench. With the drawn-out injury to Baron Davis and ineffective play from Toney Douglas and Mike Bibby, however, Lin was pressed into action.

It's fair to say that few could have predicted what he would bring to the table, as over the past three games he is averaging over 25 points and eight assists per game while shooting a sizzling percentage from the field. Lin has almost single-handedly reversed the fortunes of the Knicks' season.

They now trail the Milwaukee Bucks by just half a game for the No. 8 seed in the conference and it's safe to say that New York is now heavily favored to get back into contention. The most amazing part about Lin's hot streak is that he has excelled without the help of star forwards Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire over the past two contests.

Anthony is currently nursing a groin injury that will keep him out between one and two weeks, while Stoudemire is mourning the sudden death of his brother. The Knicks are obviously a much stronger and more well-rounded team when their best two scorers are in the lineup, so the best is yet to come.

Lin's scoring average is bound to drop when Anthony and Stoudemire are inserted back into the lineup, but he has proven to be a great distributor as well. He has made center Tyson Chandler a major offensive threat by getting the ball to him in the paint and Chandler is much better known for his defensive acumen.

If Lin can help Chandler's game that much, it will be interesting to see how he elevates Stoudemire and Anthony. Prior to Lin's emergence, New York's offense was a mess as there was no true point guard who could bring the ball up the floor and get others involved, but Lin has certainly changed that.

When the Knicks were forced to use their amnesty cut on guard Chauncey Billups after signing Chandler, there was some concern regarding who would run head coach Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced offense. That concern was proven to be well founded as the lack of an effective point guard sent everything into disarray.

When D'Antoni coached the Phoenix Suns, everything ran through Steve Nash. It may seem crazy to compare Lin to a two-time NBA MVP, but over the past three contests Lin has been very Nash-esque. Not only has his passing been on point, but he has created his own shots and scored the basketball with great efficiency.

It may be possible that Lin is merely flash in the pan and that his success won't last, but his skill set seems tailor made for D'Antoni's offense. Because of that, Lin will put the Knicks in position to make a run in the playoffs and he will ultimately save D'Antoni's tenure in New York.

Not too bad for a guy who was waived by two teams during the offseason.