Knicks Rumors: Jeremy Lin Makes Baron Davis' Return Irrelevant

When is the last time you heard a Knicks fan pining for Baron Davis' return?

Chances are, it was a little over a week ago, right before Jeremy Lin set the league on fire with Linsanity. Alan Hahn of MSG.com tweeted this in regards to Davis' return:

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The daily Davis questions have stopped now that Jeremy Lin has taken over. Even if Davis was surprisingly able to get to 100 percent and sustain health, he's an extreme longshot to take over for Lin. There's no target date for Baron right now.

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In just over a week, Lin's Eastern Conference Player of the Week play has folks wondering if Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire can FIT IN with him; and rendered Davis’ uncertain Knicks debut an afterthought.

His play is undeniable, he has averaged 27.3 points, 8.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in his first week as a starter, and most importantly, the Knicks went 4-0. The 23-year-old has taken the league by storm and staked his claim as the leader.

Lin has grasped the system, and his execution of the pick and roll has many people likening his play to that of Steve Nash. Count former Nash teammate Amar’e Stoudemire as one, he is quoted by ESPN.com’s Jared Zwerling here:

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“"He does a little bit [remind me of Nash]," he said. "I played with Jeremy that one game right before I left -- that New Jersey game -- and when I was watching him in Florida, I see some similarities. He's definitely on his way. Steve's obviously one of the all-time greats. If Jeremy keeps improving, he can continue to find success, and he'll be right there with Nash."

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High and important praise from the man Lin will be running the two-man game with in the very near future. Stoudemire is scheduled to return to action this week.

Lin’s grasp of the system figures to trump Davis’, even despite the obvious disparity in experience. Davis has been in the NBA since 1999 and Lin is in his second year.

Davis has been out of action all year long. Couple that with the effects of lockout, the back injury, and the fact he has never played a pick and roll style game, and Lin is clearly the best option.

The back injury is so severe, even if Davis returns, the team realizes he couldn’t provide much assistance. Luckily for them, Lin has played the way he has.

Imagine where the Knicks would be if they were still waiting on Baron. It shouldn’t be too hard, it was only a week ago.