Jeremy Lin: New York's Darling Will Get Reality Check From Tough Lakers Defense

Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks take on Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

If Thursday's overtime thriller against the Boston Celtics is any indication of how the Lakers plan to defend the penetrating point guard, Lin will be going up against Bryant when he attempts to carve through the Lakers on the defensive end.

Bryant has done a great job of turning the "Linsanity" craze into a national storyline with his comments about the Knicks' new starting point.

"

I know who he is, but I don’t really know what’s going on too much with him. I don’t even know what he’s done. Like, I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I’ll take a look at it tonight though.”

"

Classic Kobe. He has always found a way to do things just like this.

Of course, he knows who Jeremy Lin is. Don't think for one second that Bryant doesn't follow the storylines around the league, and there is none hotter than Lin's emergence at this time.

Bryant didn't just stop there, either.

"

I don’t even know what the [expletive] is going on. What the [expletive] is going on? Who is this kid? I’ve heard about him and stuff like that, but what’s he been doing? Is he getting like triple doubles or some [expletive]? He’s averaging 28 and eight? No [expletive]. If he’s playing well, I’ll just have to deal with him.

"

Those are pretty strong words from Bryant.

He's just not that impressed.

Bryant has been around the game for too long and has accomplished too much for him to be swept into taking a three-game sample size from Lin and make himself part of the growing plot.

As someone who has absolutely owned Madison Square Garden, Bryant isn't going to make Lin into more of a headline when he's about to visit the building to play a Knicks team without both Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.

Kobe has always known exactly how to manipulate the media exactly how he'd like, and this instance of that is no different.

What Lin has been able to do really well in his first three games as a starter are two things: keep his dribble alive and show no fear while penetrating into the lane.

Those are good traits to have for a point guard in Mike D'Antoni's system, but his inaugural test hasn't exactly been against the strongest competition.

In his first three games, Lin has faced the Nets, Jazz and Wizards.

Those teams are rated last, 21st and tied for 25th respectively in defensive efficiency this year.

A good pick and roll defense is critical to stopping the tandem that Lin and Tyson Chandler have created.

Enter the Lakers.

Los Angeles is ranked No. 10 in defensive efficiency entering the contest, which is well above anything what Lin has faced to date.

Additionally, Lin hasn't faced a twin tower pairing like Bynum and Gasol just yet.

Yes, he carved up Utah with Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson. Yes, JaVale McGee can certainly block a shot or two. However, he now has to deal with both Bynum and Gasol.

Neither player is afraid to challenge someone who comes into their lane. What's more, each will be looking to show Lin that any points he scores near the basket will have to be well-earned.

He's not going to face a point guard who gets lost going underneath a Chandler screen, either. Lin should be matched up against Bryant, who has been on the All-Defensive First Team every year since 2006 and nine times in his career.

The crowd will be chanting for Lin as the action gets underway, but the Harvard product is going to face a very tough challenge against a vastly improved Lakers defense.

Bryant has a ton of motivation to shut down the Linsanity craze, and he's well aware that this game is in front of a national audience.

Just like he knows who Jeremy Lin is and what he's been doing, whether he says so publicly or not.