Jeremy Lin: Domination of Lakers Proves Knicks PG Will Be Legitimate Star

Jeremy Lin's domination of the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night proves that the New York Knicks point guard is ready to blossom into a legitimate NBA star this season.

Lin destroyed the Lakers defense for 38 points, the most by any New York player this season, and relished the opportunity to shine against Kobe Bryant.

Not only did Lin prove he's capable of playing well against top competition, he owned the moment. He didn't hesitate to take big shots and made his impact on the game a profound one at both ends of the floor.

Take a look at Lin's stats versus the Lakers:

Player	PTS	AST	REB	STL	FG%	FT
Jeremy Lin	38	7	4	2	56	10-13

Lin's success isn't going to be a short-term phenomenon, this kid is a really good player who positively affects the game in several different ways for the Knicks.

Not only can Lin score from the outside and by driving to the basket, he does a great job of creating contact and drawing fouls. Lin also rarely takes a bad shot. He puts himself in spots where he is comfortable shooting, which is why Lin is shooting 53 percent from the floor on the season. 

His brilliant basketball intelligence helps him recognize mismatches that he can take advantage of, especially on pick and rolls. Lin does a fine job of finding his teammates with quality scoring opportunities off screen and rolls, but if the defense makes a bad switch, Lin takes advantage of the mismatch and explodes to the basket.

He adapts to the situation in front of him and doesn't panic. This is a sign of a great basketball player. Lin let's the game come to him and doesn't force anything, which is exactly what you want out of your point guard.

It's easy to say that Lin is smart because he went to Harvard, but when you see him play each night you begin to understand why he reads plays so well and only turns the ball over just under two times per game.

One of the aspects of Lin's game that won't show up on the score sheet but it just as important as any stat on it, is the composure he shows on the basketball court. Playing at Madison Square Garden on the bright stage of New York doesn't bother him, and his composure in the fourth quarters of games is also tremendous.

Lin doesn't get rattled when the pressure starts to mount, and why should he when he consistently puts himself in good positions he can be successful in. 

There are many things that Lin does every night for the Knicks that proves his success is something that will be long term and not short lived.

Players who can score, run an offense efficiently, defend and show composure under pressure will always play an important role on their basketball team.

Jeremy Lin is the NBA's most compelling story right now, but the best of his basketball career has yet to unfold.

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Nicholas Goss is an NBA Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, follow him on Twitter.