Jeremy Lin: Why Humble Star Will Silence His Misguided Critics

Sometimes it's very difficult to give credit when credit is due. After all, it's the media's job to be a critic at times.

However, when it comes to New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin, there really shouldn't be that many critics left. He's answered almost all of them by now. But it's still a small sample size regarding Lin, so the questions will still exist.

Is he for real? What will he do when Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony return? What about Baron Davis taking Lin's job?

The doubters have come out of the wood works, but before long Lin will silence everyone of his critics.

For one, he's humble.

Lin doesn't need stardom and he doesn't need accolades. He's a guy that was nearly out of a job once again a couple of weeks ago.

He's just a guy that's taking advantage of an opportunity. Players that are smart enough to realize they may only get one opportunity are very dangerous.

That describes Lin. He's smart enough to know what he's got going on in New York right now, so he will do what it takes to have continued success.

Then there's that other word I used to describe Lin: smart.

Sure he went to Harvard, but he has a very high basketball IQ, too. Smart players such as Lin will find a way to stay productive not only as an individual, but as a team as well.

Finally, he's a winner and a leader.

Lin's a guy, even though it's only been four starts, that has made his teammates better. That's exactly what a point guard and a leader is supposed to do.

He's often seen coaching on the floor as well as during breaks in action. Not often can a guy with four NBA starts on his resume be seen giving NBA veterans a lesson on what to do on the floor, but Lin is different.

He's already earned the respect of his teammates and they have publicly admitted to him being a leader.

Lin's changed the way the Knicks offense runs in a positive way and he's done it in a week.

Of course, Lin's numbers will likely go down once the Knicks are completely healthy, but the intangibles and the leadership will still be there and the Knicks will prosper because of it.

It's almost foolish to think that a guy that's waited so long for just one shot, one opportunity, wouldn't do everything possible to take complete advantage of it.

Remember, Lin's humble and smart. He won't allow himself to fail and eventually along the way he will have silenced all the critics completely.