Jeremy Lin: Why Carmelo Anthony Won't Be Able to Play with Lin

On Feb. 3, the New York Knicks were 8-15 and looked like a team which was nowhere close to living up to its potential.

Three days later, their best player, Brooklyn's own Carmelo Anthony, went down with a groin injury, and the Knicks' hopes went from bad to worse.

The very same day, New York's other All-Star, Amar'e Stoudemire, announced he would miss some games due to a death in the family, and New York's short term outlook descended to abysmal.

Still the sixth of February, second-year point guard Jeremy Lin made his first career NBA start, and not only was "Linsanity" born, but the Knicks' hopes were re-born.

The Harvard grad scored a career-high 28 points and dished out eight assists en route to a second straight win for the blue and orange.

The Lindenburg blew up, and the Linformation highway was flooded with praise for the young player after his performance, his second straight game with a new career high (25 the previous game).

There was no way Lin could repeat his performance a third straight night.

Two days later against the Washington Wizards, Lin recorded his first career double-double with 23 points and 10 assists, and the Knicks won once again. 

"It's just a fluke."

"He hasn't faced good competition."

The world was ready to see who Jeremy Lin really was against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

His third career start was capped off by a Knicks victory at MSG, along with a humble stat Lin of 38 points, seven assists and four rebounds.

While Lin has continued to impress and convert doubters into believers, the Knicks have gotten Stoudemire back and are anticipating the return of their best player.

Lin and Stoudemire played well together in Amar'e's first game back. Mike D'Antoni's pick-and-roll game was back in action, and Lin's numbers were still stellar with 27 points, three of which won the game for New York in the final seconds, and 11 assists. Stoudemire wasn't bad either, dropping in 21 points of his own and grabbing nine rebounds.

Lin and Stoudemire should have no trouble co-existing, as their play styles complement one another.

When Anthony returns, however, the Knicks' success, as well as Carmelo's, could be Linmited.

Carmelo has always been the best player on his team, and despite Lin's surge, he still is. He expects to have the ball in his hands every trip down the court and to be isolated so he can go to work.

Anthony averages 24.8 points per game for his career and will expect to be the go-to guy in the offense once he returns. He'll get his share of touches and iso plays, but the Knicks shouldn't shy away from the pick-and-roll offense they've implemented in his absence.

Anthony simply isn't that type of player. He likes to hold the ball and go on-on-one against a defender until he beats him off the dribble or pulls up for a jumper. In the new offense, Carmelo will have to cut and set picks in order to get the looks he wants.

Lin knows his role on the team, and while he understands Anthony's talent and importance, he shouldn't be forced to change his game either. He's played extremely well and has led the Knicks to six straight wins.

Both players will have to sacrifice something, and my gut tells me it will be much easier for Lin than for 'Melo, but if the Knicks' Linning ways don't continue, frustration will arise, and Carmelo's ego will get the best of the team.

With three scorers on the floor at once, the Knicks could have a tough time sharing the ball and finding chemistry amongst themselves. Anthony's return also will spell the end to Jared Jeffries' expanded role. He's been a solid post option in Stoudemire's absence and played exceptionally well, averaging 7.2 points and 5.6 boards over the last five games. While Anthony is a much better option, Jeffries seemed to work well with the new-look Knicks and the chemistry will be damaged.

Jeremy Lin is a fan favorite in New York, and many fans could have forgotten about Carmelo by now. When he returns he'll want the spotlight back, and he'll want to regain the crown of New York's favorite baller.

He'll be tempted to take more shots and pass less, which, depending on the results of those shots, could upset Knicks fans and persuade them to stick with Lin as their guy.

New York is now 14-15 as of Tuesday night, and the city and the team have been given hope of a second-half run and playoff berth.

Anthony could return as soon as Friday against the New Orleans Hornets, and you can bet all of America will have their eyes on the Knicks and the star from Brooklyn teaming up with the unlikely hero from Harvard.