Jeremy Lin: Pressure on Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers Tonight

Tonight, Jeremy Lin's meteoric rise will be put to the ultimate test. "Linsanity" may be sweeping the nation, but are his 15 minutes up, or will he prove to be a legitimate NBA point guard? 

Lin’s three attention-grabbing games have come against poor teams: the New Jersey Nets and Washington Wizards are 11 and 16 games under .500, respectively. The Utah Jazz , the only  above-.500 team of the current streak, forced Lin to make eight turnovers.

Tonight, the Knicks face a strong team, the Los Angeles Lakers, on national television.

Who will defend Lin? 

While Lin is not exceptionally athletic or fast, he has a deceptively quick first step and can finish at the rim. Father time is not forgiving; Derek Fisher has lost a step and will have a tough time staying in front of Lin. 

The ultimate sign of respect will be Kobe defending Lin. Kobe has publicly derided the hype around Jeremy Lin in an interview with Ben Rohrbach from WEEI Sports Radio:

"

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.

I don't even know what the [fudge] is going on. What the [fudge] 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 [stuff]? He's averaging 28 and eight? No [stuff]. If he's playing well, I'll just have to deal with him."

[Would he consider guarding Lin?] Jesus Christ. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

"

If Kobe is forced to defend Lin, the attention will be earned. With Lin’s inconsistent jumper, Kobe may guard Lin much the same way the Lakers guard Rajon Rondo, daring him to shoot. 

This is unlikely to happen, as Knicks shooting guard Landry Fields will be a tough matchup for Derek Fisher or Steve Blake; Fields is too tall and strong for Fisher or Blake to handle.

If Lin torches the L.A. point guards, check to see who Kobe’s defensive assignment is in the second half.

Regardless of defensive personnel, the Lakers must have noticed Lin’s tendencies. He almost always drives and finishes with his right hand. The Lakers should expose his weakness and force him left while also going under screens. If Lin is able to penetrate, he will be met at the rim by towers Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

Lin’s bread-and-butter is the pick and roll. He has two of the best roll-men in the game, Amare Stoudamire and Tyson Chandler. This is the match up that will set the tone for the game. If the Lakers can defend the pick and roll, Lin will be rendered ineffective.

Whether the Knicks win or lose, expect all eyes on to be focused on Lin. A strong showing will ensure Lin more time in the spotlight, at least until his matchup with rookie sensation Ricky Rubio tomorrow night.