Jeremy Lin: How Opposing NBA Defenses Can Cool Off Linsanity

Jeremy Lin is wreaking havoc on opposing defenses since taking over the controls at the point guard position in Mike D'Antoni's system for the New York Knicks.

Many are wondering just how long this Cinderella story can last, but Lin is quieting his critics with his string of strong games as the starter.

Lin is averaging a whopping 40 minutes per game in a starting role and has put up some very impressive numbers over that span—27.2 points, 8.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 6.0 turnovers on 50 percent shooting from the floor.

Although his start has been beyond impressive, it's important to keep it in perspective.

He's not a flawless player. Nobody is perfect.

According to Elias, Lin's 30 turnovers are the most by any player over his first five starts. Since taking over the starting job, Lin has had only one game where he's registered fewer than six turnovers.

Lin is exactly what the Knicks have needed all season: a real point guard.

He looks to get his teammates involved, possesses solid court vision and is unafraid to penetrate into the lane against bigger defenders in an effort to space the floor.

Lin has been more than capable in the pick-and-roll.

He's displayed an ability to find the cutter when the defender rolls beneath the screen and he's also shown an inclination to take the open jumper when the defense sags off him to protect the paint.

So how can any defense stop him?

Not only is he a threat in the pick-and-roll game, but Lin has a genuine ability to kick the rock out to an open shooter on the perimeter when his first look near the rim isn't available.

However, there is one thing that he has done consistently since receiving extended playing time: telegraphed his passes.

Zach Lowe of Sports Illustrated does a phenomenal job of addressing exactly that issue.

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He doesn’t force passes, which is a major asset for a point guard. Lin’s turnovers in the NBA have come mostly on the dribble and from telegraphing obvious passes, rather than chasing ill-advised, highlight-reel dishes.

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Lowe hits the nail on the head. Lin won't "wow" anyone with the passes he makes, but he has a distinct understanding of when to pick his spots.

That speaks directly to his impressive basketball IQ and understanding of how to operate within the flow of the game.

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If the pick-and-roll doesn’t yield an easy pass to the roll man, Lin has usually taken a dribble or two in to draw the attention of a perimeter defender and then kicked the ball to a spot-up shooter in good position to go to work.

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As discussed above, Lin displays no hesitancy in finding the open shooter on the perimeter, and it allows for fantastic spacing of the floor.

Lin possesses a size and strength advantage over much of his opposition at the position.

At 6'3" and 200 lbs, Lin is able to use his quickness on the court as a competitive advantage over those attempting to slow him down.

We've seen teams attempt to collapse the lane when Lin penetrates, but that leaves an open man on the perimeter unguarded for the point guard to find.

Lin has had the ball in his hands a lot since bursting onto the scene, as his averages dictate.

When a player is putting up more than eight assists per game as well as six turnovers, it indicates that they're dominating control of the basketball.

Here's a thought for teams upcoming on New York's schedule: take the ball out of Lin's hands.

Force other players to spend more time with the ball—make it a point of emphasis to prevent Lin from getting the ball in a favorable position.

And if he does get the ball? Trap him. Whether it's in a half-court set as soon as he brings the ball across mid-court or in the corner, trapping Lin will force him to make a decision with the basketball.

Lin has demonstrated that he isn't someone who will purposely make a risky pass, instead sticking to the smart play with the basketball.

Traps can lead to perpetual frustrations from the player and those can often lead to telegraphed passes from the player who has the ball in his hands.

And that's the same problem he's dealt with since bursting onto the scene.

Expose that, make him adjust to the pressure and see how well he can adapt in the course of a game.